Our favorite feminist ‘Parks and Recreation’ episodes:
Of course, while feminism pervades all of Parks of Recreation, there are still some stand-out feminist friendly episodes. Here are three of our favorites:
2×10 ‘Hunting Trip’
The gang all go hunting, but when Tom accidentally shoots Ron, Leslie covers for him because he doesn’t have a hunting license. In explaining her reasons for shooting Ron to the ranger, who doesn’t believe Leslie to the skilled hunter that she is, she draws on every sexist stereotype: “I let my emotions get the best of me,” “I was thinking with my lady parts,” “I’m wearing a new bra, and it closes in the front, so it popped open and it threw me off,” and the best – “this would not happen if I had a penis.”
4×04 ‘Pawnee Rangers’
The Pawnee Rangers won’t accept girls, so Leslie naturally starts the Pawnee Goddesses (whose motto is, “We’re freaking awesome”). When one of the Rangers wants to defect to the Goddesses, Leslie turns him away because her club is girls only. The Goddesses question Leslie’s decision (and make her proud by referencing Brown v. Board of Education) and ask for a public forum. The result? The boys (and Andy) join the girls, and recite the Goddess manifesto: “I am a goddess, a glorious female warrior.” Meanwhile, Leslie starts a Swansons club for Ron, for those kids who are “tough as nails” – with both boys and girls welcome.
5×11 ‘Women in Garbage’
Leslie creates an equal gender employment commission – which is hilariously entirely comprised of men. Chris, when this is pointed out to him: “Oh, my god. I am part of the problem.” When Leslie finds out that there are no female garage collectors, she is told the reason is, “your average women can’t handle it.” Cue: Leslie and April (who is remarkably enthusiastic about garbage) taking up the challenge, and becoming the best garbage people you’ve ever seen. They beat the men’s time on the route, outsmart an impossible task set for them by their disgruntled male competition, and the sanitation department hires three female employees as a result.
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