Fighting sexism from adolescence is the promise of the Moi c’est Madame card game

Having the ladder on sexism is a common curse. In everyday life, getting a sexist comment that amazes you, trying to get on with your day despite everything, and having the right formula that comes to mind hours later can be boring. And that’s quite normal as misogyny has a lot to destabilize.

Against this, Elsa Miské co-founded with Margaid Quioc and Anaïs Bourdet (later replaced by Zina Mebkhout) in 2018 the YESSS podcast which collects testimonies of common women’s victories against gender violence and injunctions in different contexts (at work, as a couple, in the family, in transport, on the street, etc. ).

To inspire even more and even train you to react faster, in a powerful way, Elsa Miské co-founded the anti-sexist game Moi c’est Madame with Axelle Gay. Inspired by the YESSS podcast, this card game helps you cultivate your sense of response in the face of sexism. Now it is enriched with an extension designed for teenagers, La Relève, for the pre-order of Ulule until October 16, 2022.

The independent consultant and trainer in the fight against sexism, also creator of content engaged on social networks, talks to us about this anti-sexist card game, the importance of celebrating our victories in the face of sexism and the popularization of feminism, which dilutes in the same time in which its radicality is needed.

Interview with Elsa Miské, co-creator of the anti-sexist game Moi c’est Madame

To miss. Hi, can you introduce yourself?

Elsa Miske. Hi, my name is Elsa Miské, Zazem on networks, I am a consultant and digital strategy trainer and committed content creator, in particular I co-created the podcast YESSS and the game Moi c’est Madame!

What did the YESSS podcast teach you about sexism and the importance of jokes?

The answer is a self-defense tool. Patriarchy is too comfortable and this is partly due to the fact that we have been brought up to look down and laugh when we are insulted. It’s time for things to change! What I have learned from listening to hundreds of testimonials from women who have reacted is this molesters are very upset by the simple fact that a woman dares to fight back. Even when the answer is not the most impactful, it has an effect.

When and how did the idea of ​​creating an anti-sexist card game come about?

In 2019 I met Axelle Gay, whose job is to create busy board games. While we were discussing the two, the idea of ​​adapting the YESSS podcast into play came entirely natural. The idea was simple: we struggle to react live, we are amazed when we receive sexist thoughts, so maybe if we train it will be better! We worked hard on it, especially during the imprisonment, and the game was released for Christmas 2020.

Why is it important to integrate more playfulness in the fight against sexism?

I am quite radical myself and I can see that it scares a lot of people. The game helps to relax the atmosphere, to create an environment safe and without tension, so that everyone can express themselves, ask questions, learn. Also, I love pop culture and I am convinced of its impact on mentalities, I think it is a powerful vector to convey militant messages.

The game is now enriched with an extension aimed at teenagers, La Relève: why is it important to learn from an early age to fight sexism?

The young people of today are the adults of tomorrow. When I see the macho propaganda that intensifies every day on social networks I tell myself that we have a big problem and in particular with the construction of the boys …

Otherwise, young women suffer from street harassment in college, but also all the stereotypes that put them at risk of developing impostor syndromeand who tend to limit themselves in career choices, for example.

How was the co-construction of La Relève carried out with young people? What did they teach you that you weren’t suspicious of sexism?

The workshops have been fascinating, the teens are full of resources and humor so it’s a pleasure to discuss with them, even if sometimes we measure the extent of gender stereotypes and it makes you dizzy …

Reputation stories, slutty slurs, online harassment, and manhood take their toll, and while it sometimes feels like “the next generation will save us,” I don’t think it’s that simple. They are heavily influenced by their environment, so the education they receive at home and the content they are exposed to online, among other things … Some surprised me with their jokes or knowledge on certain topics, others by violence say their words. In short, there is work!

To what extent does the game Moi c’est Madame and its extension La Relève feed the desire to fight against sexism and to fight for equality, rather than passively hoping for it?

When we created YESSS, it was mainly to do good to ourselves, because tired of hearing bad news every day, it gave us the impression of regaining some power over our life and sharing a small dose of strength with others. women … and we saw how effective it was! We have received so many messages of support from listeners who have told us how much the fishing has given them to listen to us… I think thatwe can fight against the system only if we believe in ourselves, which is already an act of resistance in a society that devalues ​​us all day!

What is your favorite answer in the game or do you use the most in your daily life?

At La Relève there is a card “Would you like a glass of water? Don’t forget to hydrate, you know “I wrote this, I often tell men in my comments on TikTok, it’s a simple reversal of the stereotype that women are fragile, when there is nothing more fragile than there. ego of a male chauvinist!

What is the question that is not being asked enough about Moi c’est Madame and La Relève and in the fight against sexism?

Rather, it is I who have a question: when will heterosexual men deal with these matters? I hear a lot of criticism of feminism, like what, we’re too radical, too violent, etc. However, many men say they support the movement, support #MeToo and say they are opposed to sexual violence, but I don’t see them creating tools to deconstruct toxic masculinity … We are waiting for you guys, we need you!

Front page photo credit: Eclap.