BY MIA FREEDMAN
Several years ago, I was asked to be on Q&A. Even though I was nervous – I adored the show but had watched people far smarter than me be flayed alive on social media – I agreed and we set a date.
Three days before my scheduled appearance, Julia Gillard rolled Kevin Rudd and as the rumours ignited Twitter, my first thought was for Kevin Rudd myself. “I’m so going to get dumped from Qanda,” I tweeted. And by the morning I had been.
Phew.
I never went back. Not because I was having a tanty (I save those for when there’s not enough goat’s cheese in my salad) but because the more time went on, the harsher I saw the treatment dished out to panellists on Twitter.
Why put myself through it, I reasoned. I’m happy watching from the couch.
The next time the producers called and tried to book me for a particular date, I thought about it carefully before saying no. Still too chicken. Several weeks later when that proposed date arrived, it turned out to be the day of the first ALP spill where Kevin Rudd challenged Julia Gillard for leadership of the Labor Party.
SPOOKY.
A year later, another call from Q&A. This time, the lure of a special women’s panel with Germaine Greer was too much. I said yes straight away. And within 48 hours of me agreeing, there was another ALP leadership spill.
THIS SHIT BE GETTING TOO WEIRD.
Agreeing to go on Q&A is a big deal for me, I won’t lie. Being in the company of Germaine Greer (no matter how hard I disagree with her on many subjects) and the other fiesty, intelligent and accomplished women on the panel is supremely daunting.
So I thought the best way for me to deal with it all, might be to write some of it down to share what goes on behind the scenes. Well, my scenes anyway. And here we go.
3 WEEKS BEFORE THE SHOW
I’m told my fellow panelists are Germaine, former sex worker ‘Belle de Jour’ (Brooke Magnanti), indigenous opera singer Deborah Cheetham and anti-Muslim activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
I’ve already read Brooke Magnanti’s book about the 18 months she spent doing sex work. MM editor Jamila lends me Ayaan’s book, Infidel.
I read it concurrently with Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In and give myself the best kind of whiplash. Two more different feminist works I could not imagine. Both have me gripped.
Top Comments
Mia you are an idol of mine. I actually followed your career a little bit. Knew your name from magazine days and then bought your books and now absolutely love mamamia. Was thrilled to see you on qanda and was, as always, so impressed. And then I saw you (with Janet) on the 730 report this week. The way you hold firm on your viewpoints, while remaining open minded to others is inspiring. Thank you!
I did not think that Brooke dominated any of the conversation, she answered questions when she was asked and spoke eloquently. I think the deliberate crossing out of the word prostitue is petty and pathetic.
I completely agree- Mia deliberately crossing out the word 'prostitution' shows immaturity and narrow-mindedness. While she may have a personal moral objection to sex work, it does not mean she has the right to belittle other people's occupations and opinions. Rather than demonizing sex work, we should be working together to improve sex workers' work conditions and implementing greater safety measures for them. We cannot assume all women who do sex work are being trafficked/exploited. I do believe that energy would be better spent assisting women who are genuine victims of sex trafficking and exploitation than just demonizing every women who does sex work. Ps. Mia, keep in mind that some people probably judge your line of work as well.