Double Standard

It really seems to me that there is a double (higher) standard for women in politics. This is not surprising since society has always held women to a double standard. Imagine if Hillary had run for President 4 years ago--everyone would have complained that she didn't have the experience to be commander-and-chief. She waited and her experience was used against her. While I have many legitimate issues where I can disagree with Sarah Palin, I think that it is an aspect of our sexist society to focus on her lack of experience for VP, when one of the male Presidential candidates has an equal lack of experience. If we can overlook the issue of experience for men running for President, why can't we overlook it for a woman running for VP? Can't she hire good advisers too, if she should happen to become President.
I am sensing in many feminists a self righteous about how women must behave. Women are not monolithic. We are diverse. We are Democrats, we are Republicans, we are liberal, we are conservative, we are atheists, we are evangelicals, we are animal rights activists, and we are hunters. We have a common bond though-- we all live in a sexist society where we are second class citizens. Some of us are more aware of this and fight to help ourselves, our sisters and our daughters. Many still live on bound by sexist preconceptions. They are still women. Our anger at their lack of consciousness should not be greater than that which we would level against a man, but less. They too are suffering from a sexist society.
We all know abstinence only doesn't work, but let's not place a spotlight on a child that has made a mistake. Let us focus on the issues!I respect Palin's right to chose to have a child with Down's Syndrome, as I wish that she would respect the rights of other women to make their own choices. If we are truly about choice, then women have the right to choose to not have an abortion.
I know many feminists are concerned about the Supreme Court and numerous other issues where most of us disagree vehemently with right wing Republicans like Sarah Palin. Let's focus our arguments on these issues. Let's be careful that we aren't applying a higher standard to Palin because she is a woman. While women are more critical of women who they disagree with than men who they disagree with, can we really expect men to treat us equally? We must speak up against sexism where ever it occurs, even sexism against those we disagree with.

Beyond Gender

Women have been raised to believe that they should always sacrifice their goals and ambitions to everyone else's. When one member of the family must work so that their partner can continue their education--it is usually the woman who sacrifices her education to put her husband through school. When the man is offered a better job opportunity that requires a move, how often does the woman sacrice her career in order to allow her husband to advance his career? Women, who do not sacrifice their goals and ambitions are considered selfish. Women have been accultured with this attitude of self-sacrifice. We have been raised to believe that women
and women's rights are not as important as every other issue. It is more noble for women to work on peace, healthcare, poverty, racism, environment and numerous other issues.
If you don't believe that sexism still exists--turn on your TV. Who is cooking and serving dinner? Who is vacuming, cleaning the toilet, mopping the floor and dusting the furniture? Who are the mechanics, the plumbers, the bankers, the secretaries, and the nurses? Who is playing with dolls and who is playing with trucks? Not only are the sexist stereotypes still out there, but (as we saw in the primary) the expression of sexist attitudes is socially accceptable. There are no repercussions and no one feels guilty for putting women down. Why is it that we can accept the oppression of women in other countries by calling it cultural differences. If the majority of another country oppresses another ethic or religious group, it is wrong. It is not a cultural choice--it is oppression! Why is it a cultural choice to oppress women?
Many women have decided that they are beyond gender. Isn't that just a new excuse for self sacrifice? All women are affected sexism. Try being beyond gender, when your promotion goes to the less experienced man. We cannot be beyond gender in a world that regards us as second class citizens.