Bad Romance: Women’s Suffrage Parody
Some background:
The National Woman’s Party was a more militant suffrage association that was vital in the passage of the 19th Amendment. Their colors, often displayed in sashes, were purple, white and gold. Their leader was Alice Paul.
The women shown in front of the White House represent the Silent Sentinels who picked President Woodrow Wilson with banners. Many were jailed and force feed. Photos of the real silent sentinels: 1, 2, 3, 4.
The scene with the roses reenacts the ratification of the 19th Amendment by the Tennessee legislature, the final state needed for adoption of the amendment. Red roses were worn by anti-suffragists, yellow roses by pro-suffragists. The younger guy peeking at the note from his mother is portraying Harry T. Burn. You can read about how his mama got him to vote for suffrage here.
So many people are apathetic about voting, but it is important to remember the many people who fought and suffered for the right to vote.
