One reason sexism persists is that social change tends to be slothfully slow just like our present Congress in action. It takes years of educating people through plodding, prodding and repetition to make the positive changes we seek. (Look at how long it is taking to create legislation to prevent a worldwide catastrophe due to global climate change. While predictions are dire, people remain nonplussed and mired in entropy.) Another problem is that sexism has become more subtle. In addition, although we see sexism as dysfunctional it still serves some functions otherwise it would vaporize. Recently, we've been told that there are now more women in the workforce than men. At some level, this may look good. But it is not a kudo for women. It could simply mean that some employers would prefer to hire women because they pay them less, are less threatened by them, etc.
Your point about people perceiving some sex roles to be intrinsic is certainly one major roadblock. People don't even think about changing something that is written in DNA.
I may be perceived as soft on the crime of sexism, but my gut feeling is that we just have to continue patiently taking small tripping steps. Sometimes monumental gains are made by a stroke of serendipity but then it's usually back to the pokey glacial grind.
Karen
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Why is sexism still a socially acceptable ism?
Why is sexism still a socially acceptable ism?
Why is it that people can express sexist views and still be considered politically correct?
Why is it that commercials still portray women cleaning the toilets, vacuuming, and breaking up with their mops?
Why is it that when we see women heros on TV they always have short, tight skirts and low cleavage?
Why is it that we finally have 2 medical shows where the headline charcters are women and both are in the stereotyped role of nurse?
Why are all late night talk show hosts men?
Why are the vast majority of TV political pundits men?
Why is it still acceptable to refer to grown women as girls (as if we are still children who need guidance and protection)?
Why is it seen as acceptable that 50% of the population has only token representation on the US Supreme Court, Congress, and the US Senate.
Why is it socially acceptable to regard women as sex objects rather than whole human beings?
Why is it that society still assumes that there are intrinsic sex roles?
I know that there are alot more whys, but I think that the answer is connected with my last why. The continued acceptance of intrinsic gender roles allows all the other examples of sexism to be acceptable.
Why is it that people can express sexist views and still be considered politically correct?
Why is it that commercials still portray women cleaning the toilets, vacuuming, and breaking up with their mops?
Why is it that when we see women heros on TV they always have short, tight skirts and low cleavage?
Why is it that we finally have 2 medical shows where the headline charcters are women and both are in the stereotyped role of nurse?
Why are all late night talk show hosts men?
Why are the vast majority of TV political pundits men?
Why is it still acceptable to refer to grown women as girls (as if we are still children who need guidance and protection)?
Why is it seen as acceptable that 50% of the population has only token representation on the US Supreme Court, Congress, and the US Senate.
Why is it socially acceptable to regard women as sex objects rather than whole human beings?
Why is it that society still assumes that there are intrinsic sex roles?
I know that there are alot more whys, but I think that the answer is connected with my last why. The continued acceptance of intrinsic gender roles allows all the other examples of sexism to be acceptable.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Health Care Reform Must Have a Public Option
NOW supports a single payer health care plan, because health care and health insurance is an issue that disproportionately affects women. Women are disproportionately stuck in minimum wage jobs without health insurance. Women who stay home to care for children, are dependant on their husbands health insurance plan. Medicare as an exaple of a government plan, is administered much more efficiently than private health insurance plans, because they don't make a profit. Insurance companies are making a desperate bid to maintain their ability to make a profit off the suffering and illness of people in need of care.
Enough!! Let us get out there and cut through the lies and mud of the insurance companies. We may not be able to get single payer right now, but any health insurance reform needs a public option. We need a vehicle to compete with the insurance companies. Too bad if they can not compete and make a profit. It is more important that we deliver health care to all rather than provide profits for insurance companies.
Write or call President Obama and tell him to lead America toward real health care reform (with a public option).
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and 202-456-1111.
Lori
Enough!! Let us get out there and cut through the lies and mud of the insurance companies. We may not be able to get single payer right now, but any health insurance reform needs a public option. We need a vehicle to compete with the insurance companies. Too bad if they can not compete and make a profit. It is more important that we deliver health care to all rather than provide profits for insurance companies.
Write or call President Obama and tell him to lead America toward real health care reform (with a public option).
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and 202-456-1111.
Lori
Women in Combat
Whether or not we support the war, as feminists we believe that women should be treated equally and have equal opportunities in the military. Women in the military will never be treated as true equals by their male counter parts until they also serve in combat. According to a recent NYT article, GI Jane Breaks the Combat barrier as the War evolves, women are proving themselves in combat roles.
The military is using women more and more in combat roles, even though Congress has relegated women to non-combat roles. Modern combat is not a matter of pure physical strength. In peace keeping actions, inter personal skills may even be a greater advantage than sheer strength. Throughout history, women disquised themselves as men and served in combat. They were so successful that they often went undiscovered. If this weren't proof enough that women are capable, this article proves it.
It is past time that Congress removed the restrictions on women in the military.
Lori
The military is using women more and more in combat roles, even though Congress has relegated women to non-combat roles. Modern combat is not a matter of pure physical strength. In peace keeping actions, inter personal skills may even be a greater advantage than sheer strength. Throughout history, women disquised themselves as men and served in combat. They were so successful that they often went undiscovered. If this weren't proof enough that women are capable, this article proves it.
It is past time that Congress removed the restrictions on women in the military.
Lori
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Women (Almost) On Top
Women (Almost) On Top. How could I resist reading a Slate article by that headline?
Women on top. I hope to read that we aremaking progress to a point where a majority of women are CEO's, Senators, Governors, or Supreme Court Justices. I hope to read that we might have a woman in a State-wide leadership position.
But no. Of Course this is just my wild hopeful imaginings.
I think maybe women are finally closing the wage gap with men. But this isn't true either.
What they actually mean is that the percentage of women in the work force is increasing to almost 50%. Partly because the better paying jobs that mostly men have held no longer exist and more men are out work. It seems the only thing that women are on top of, is a willingness to work minimum wage service jobs.What warped mind could see this as being on top?
Women on top. I hope to read that we aremaking progress to a point where a majority of women are CEO's, Senators, Governors, or Supreme Court Justices. I hope to read that we might have a woman in a State-wide leadership position.
But no. Of Course this is just my wild hopeful imaginings.
I think maybe women are finally closing the wage gap with men. But this isn't true either.
What they actually mean is that the percentage of women in the work force is increasing to almost 50%. Partly because the better paying jobs that mostly men have held no longer exist and more men are out work. It seems the only thing that women are on top of, is a willingness to work minimum wage service jobs.What warped mind could see this as being on top?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Party Unity is the Victor's Responsibility
I thought that I was done crying until I read Marie Cocco's article about Hillary's speech at the Convention. She observed that the way Hillary was treated decades ago(as a young woman) when she ran for class president mirrored the way she has been treated recently as she ran for U.S. President. So little has changed for us as women. All of us women who have had an inexperienced man promoted ahead of us, and all of us women, who have been insulted and ridiculed for putting ourselves forward; identified with Hillary. Her battle was our battle. Her success was our success. Her failure is our failure. Men who think that Hillary can and should bring her supporters to Obama do not understand that this is an issue and a pain that goes far beyond Hillary. Once again Marie Cocco points out the sexism in placing Obama's burden of capturing Hillary's supporters on Hillary rather than Obama.
Impressed by Cocco's article, I went on and read the comments. I was shocked at the continued nastiness of Obama supporters. They have won! They should be graciously reaching out to women, in an effort to bring us on board. Instead the nasty insults continue. They continue to address Hillary and women with disdain while ordering us to fall in line behind Obama.
One commenter says: hillary's supporters need to put on a fresh pair of panties and step forward into the real world. however unhappy they are about obama, if they think mccain is really a better choice for america, they never really knew what hillary was about anyway.
Frankly, I am not sure I get the panties part, except that in his adolescent mind reference to women's apparel is an insult. It was obviously intended as one. Why does he think that he has the right to tell me what I have to do? Because men always think that they have the right to straighten out our "foolish" thinking and tell us what to do.
A second commenter accuses us all of being black-man hating lesbians. Of course that is the next move in their game book. When women don't listen to you and "behave"--accuse them of being lesbians. This option has become more popular since men lost the power to have women committed.
As we commemorate the anniversary of the 19th amendment, we remember the suffering and sacrifice of the women who fought for sufferage. I would be disloyal to those women, if I failed to respect the power of my vote and allowed myself to be intimidated. My vote must be earned, not coerced. Its all about control. Men think that they have a right to control me and my vote--but they don't. They can stamp their feet and make demands, but its my vote! They have to relinquish their posture of control, reach out on women's issues and earn my vote. I do not respond well to orders.
Most people are placing the burden of party unity on Hillary's shoulders (she must bring around her supporters). It is time we started placing the burden where it belongs--on Obama's shoulders. He should be reaching out to women. He should take responsiblity for his supporters. He should help them understand sexism and the importance of women's rights. He needs to send a strong message to his supporters that this kind of woman hating and homophobia is not acceptable.
Impressed by Cocco's article, I went on and read the comments. I was shocked at the continued nastiness of Obama supporters. They have won! They should be graciously reaching out to women, in an effort to bring us on board. Instead the nasty insults continue. They continue to address Hillary and women with disdain while ordering us to fall in line behind Obama.
One commenter says: hillary's supporters need to put on a fresh pair of panties and step forward into the real world. however unhappy they are about obama, if they think mccain is really a better choice for america, they never really knew what hillary was about anyway.
Frankly, I am not sure I get the panties part, except that in his adolescent mind reference to women's apparel is an insult. It was obviously intended as one. Why does he think that he has the right to tell me what I have to do? Because men always think that they have the right to straighten out our "foolish" thinking and tell us what to do.
A second commenter accuses us all of being black-man hating lesbians. Of course that is the next move in their game book. When women don't listen to you and "behave"--accuse them of being lesbians. This option has become more popular since men lost the power to have women committed.
As we commemorate the anniversary of the 19th amendment, we remember the suffering and sacrifice of the women who fought for sufferage. I would be disloyal to those women, if I failed to respect the power of my vote and allowed myself to be intimidated. My vote must be earned, not coerced. Its all about control. Men think that they have a right to control me and my vote--but they don't. They can stamp their feet and make demands, but its my vote! They have to relinquish their posture of control, reach out on women's issues and earn my vote. I do not respond well to orders.
Most people are placing the burden of party unity on Hillary's shoulders (she must bring around her supporters). It is time we started placing the burden where it belongs--on Obama's shoulders. He should be reaching out to women. He should take responsiblity for his supporters. He should help them understand sexism and the importance of women's rights. He needs to send a strong message to his supporters that this kind of woman hating and homophobia is not acceptable.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Seriously--for a Moment
For a brief moment this past winter the women of America raised their
heads and dared.
We dared to dream!
We dared to believe!
We dared to do the impossible!
We dared to think that women would be taken seriously!
For that one brief shining moment, all the slights and discrimination we have faced as women were overcome by visions of our possiblities. All the times we were told: "girls can't do that" were overshadowed by the possiblity that we could now do anything. They called us silly women when we asked for the vote, when we demanded to be doctors, judges, generals and congressman. Whenever we demanded our rights, we were being ridiculous. But for that one glorious moment a woman was being seriously considered for President of the United States.
Elderly women (who have fought for women's equality since women's vote was new--dared to believe that they would live to see a woman become President. Younger women raised our heads in pride as we watched Hillary's grace, pride, strength, and intelligence forge a path toward the Democratic nomination through a gauntlet of sexism. We dared to dream that our world would truly change! Girls saw, for the first time, that all doors were open to them. They dared to do the impossible!
Glorious as the moment was, it was after all--only a moment. An ephemeral glimpse into an alternate reality. Our reality came crashing down upon women and our hopes and dreams.While we mourned in devastation, Obama announced that his selection as nominee had made history and now the whole globe can heal. Women should get over it and support him. His statement that because he was selected America is making history denied the fact that his opportunity had come at the expense of women's opportunity to make history. Apparently he can not grasp the importance of the opportunity women have been denied. Does he truly believe that women can heal from the oppression and discrimination we have faced throughout our lives because he is President instead of Hillary? Does he not respect, recognize, or appreciate the discrimination that women face? It is as if he doesn't take our rights seriously, because they are not important to him. Once again--we are just silly women after all--striving beyond our station in life.
While Kim Gandy continues to state that women are grieving--there is
more to it than that. Many women are angry. They feel that the process was unfair and they were cheated. Some of these women will not be placated. They will not support Obama. They will withhold their vote in protest.
Some are still struggling to bring themselves around to
support him. They are waiting for something more from him. Something
more than the salt he has poured into our wounds. They are waiting for
him to demonstrate some real appreciation and support for women's
struggle. Women are waiting for the man (who claims to be the great unifier) to recognise and legitimize our loss as valid. They are waiting for him to value our rights and take our struggle seriously.
For one brief shining moment women dared to believe that we were equal. It was the hope and dream of our lives. How can we believe that
Obama cares about women and women's rights, when clearly he cannot appreciate the significance of our loss.
heads and dared.
We dared to dream!
We dared to believe!
We dared to do the impossible!
We dared to think that women would be taken seriously!
For that one brief shining moment, all the slights and discrimination we have faced as women were overcome by visions of our possiblities. All the times we were told: "girls can't do that" were overshadowed by the possiblity that we could now do anything. They called us silly women when we asked for the vote, when we demanded to be doctors, judges, generals and congressman. Whenever we demanded our rights, we were being ridiculous. But for that one glorious moment a woman was being seriously considered for President of the United States.
Elderly women (who have fought for women's equality since women's vote was new--dared to believe that they would live to see a woman become President. Younger women raised our heads in pride as we watched Hillary's grace, pride, strength, and intelligence forge a path toward the Democratic nomination through a gauntlet of sexism. We dared to dream that our world would truly change! Girls saw, for the first time, that all doors were open to them. They dared to do the impossible!
Glorious as the moment was, it was after all--only a moment. An ephemeral glimpse into an alternate reality. Our reality came crashing down upon women and our hopes and dreams.While we mourned in devastation, Obama announced that his selection as nominee had made history and now the whole globe can heal. Women should get over it and support him. His statement that because he was selected America is making history denied the fact that his opportunity had come at the expense of women's opportunity to make history. Apparently he can not grasp the importance of the opportunity women have been denied. Does he truly believe that women can heal from the oppression and discrimination we have faced throughout our lives because he is President instead of Hillary? Does he not respect, recognize, or appreciate the discrimination that women face? It is as if he doesn't take our rights seriously, because they are not important to him. Once again--we are just silly women after all--striving beyond our station in life.
While Kim Gandy continues to state that women are grieving--there is
more to it than that. Many women are angry. They feel that the process was unfair and they were cheated. Some of these women will not be placated. They will not support Obama. They will withhold their vote in protest.
Some are still struggling to bring themselves around to
support him. They are waiting for something more from him. Something
more than the salt he has poured into our wounds. They are waiting for
him to demonstrate some real appreciation and support for women's
struggle. Women are waiting for the man (who claims to be the great unifier) to recognise and legitimize our loss as valid. They are waiting for him to value our rights and take our struggle seriously.
For one brief shining moment women dared to believe that we were equal. It was the hope and dream of our lives. How can we believe that
Obama cares about women and women's rights, when clearly he cannot appreciate the significance of our loss.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Well Boys--Shame, Shame On You!
Everytime women struggle to advance their rights and achieve equality, they are met with an age old response from men. Derision and ridicule! They belittle us, they poke fun at us, they insult us and outright abuse us.
Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton faced it as they sought suffrage for women. In the 60's and 70's we saw men poking fun at women who sought to be police officers, doctors, or numerous other professions that were then reserved for men only. We saw it recently as the media and male pundits responded to Hillary Clinton's bid for the Presidency. Sadly nothing has changed. These men (many who identify themselves as liberal) don't seem able to appreciate that women have a right to stand up and demand equality. Our struggle for equality seems to be an opportunity for them to get a chuckle. Well boys-- Shame, shame on you!
Throughout Hillary's campaign women suffered with her as the media and other candidates leveled sexist attacks against her. We all felt them personally. In the end many women feel cheated by a process that was far from fair. We feel cheated of a once in our lifetime opportunity for a woman President.
Men's response to this is OK, you lost, get over it. Men aren't from Mars--they are from another galaxy, if they think that response will appease us. In fact their total and absolute insensitivity to our feelings, concerns, and rights reflects upon the real problem here. Most men do not take women's rights seriously.
Recently Marcia Pappas, President of NOW-NYS issued a press release "He Must Come Bearing Gifts". Some male blogs have already responded with the typical male derision.
To Scott Leffler , who seems to think that asking for gender parity on the Supreme court and a woman chair of the DNC (she would be the first) is a female dominant position. Shame, Shame on you!
To Jackie Tam, who actually rewrites Marcia's release to create silly conditions-- Triple shame on you!
Women lost an opportunity to take a major step forward in women's rights and many women want a major step in return. We also want the primary system (that we feel cheated us) fixed. How do men respond? By poking fun at us in order to shut us up.Well boys! Shame, Shame on you for trying, but you won't shut up this woman. Better women than I have faced down this gauntlet of derision--so I proudly face it down too--knowing that I follow in great footsteps as I refuse to be silenced.
Lori
Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton faced it as they sought suffrage for women. In the 60's and 70's we saw men poking fun at women who sought to be police officers, doctors, or numerous other professions that were then reserved for men only. We saw it recently as the media and male pundits responded to Hillary Clinton's bid for the Presidency. Sadly nothing has changed. These men (many who identify themselves as liberal) don't seem able to appreciate that women have a right to stand up and demand equality. Our struggle for equality seems to be an opportunity for them to get a chuckle. Well boys-- Shame, shame on you!
Throughout Hillary's campaign women suffered with her as the media and other candidates leveled sexist attacks against her. We all felt them personally. In the end many women feel cheated by a process that was far from fair. We feel cheated of a once in our lifetime opportunity for a woman President.
Men's response to this is OK, you lost, get over it. Men aren't from Mars--they are from another galaxy, if they think that response will appease us. In fact their total and absolute insensitivity to our feelings, concerns, and rights reflects upon the real problem here. Most men do not take women's rights seriously.
Recently Marcia Pappas, President of NOW-NYS issued a press release "He Must Come Bearing Gifts". Some male blogs have already responded with the typical male derision.
To Scott Leffler , who seems to think that asking for gender parity on the Supreme court and a woman chair of the DNC (she would be the first) is a female dominant position. Shame, Shame on you!
To Jackie Tam, who actually rewrites Marcia's release to create silly conditions-- Triple shame on you!
Women lost an opportunity to take a major step forward in women's rights and many women want a major step in return. We also want the primary system (that we feel cheated us) fixed. How do men respond? By poking fun at us in order to shut us up.Well boys! Shame, Shame on you for trying, but you won't shut up this woman. Better women than I have faced down this gauntlet of derision--so I proudly face it down too--knowing that I follow in great footsteps as I refuse to be silenced.
Lori
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