We've come a long way, but we're still portrayed in the media as "bitches," "nags," "whores," "ball-breakers," a pair of tits, brainless, and "wicked witches." The United States trails well behind the rest of the world when it comes to gender parity in politics (we rank 68th) and in the workplace (2007 Dept. of Labor stats say we earn 80.4 cents for every dollar our male counterparts earn). Current election aside, isn't this something we should - women and men - be taking issue with?
A friend sent me this video by the Women's Media Center this morning. I personally do not need another reason to dislike Chris Matthews, Michelle Malkin, Tucker Carlson, Bill O'Reilly, and the slew of others who seem to enjoy demeaning women on a split screen. But if you do, this video will get you there.
"Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That's their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood."
~Gloria Steinem
Clearly, all things are not equal. Until we start working together, speaking up, talking about the obstacles for female candidates, talking about how women are portrayed in the media, writing letters to "news" channels that claim to be unbiased, women will continue to be marginalized. What you can do: Sign the petition at the Womens Media Center. Start a dialogue (the same friend who sent me the video is having a "She Devils" party for Hillary supporters later this month). Run for office. Support other women when they run for office. Find your voice and speak up.
Showing posts with label feminism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feminism. Show all posts
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Time to grow up...
Ever since my landlady called me last week to tell me she's putting the house I rent on the market for just over a half a million dollars (she did offer me first dibs on buying the place), I've been stressing about buying a place of my own.
I have rented for most of my adult life, first because I wasn't sure if I'd stay in Charleston, then because my credit sucked too hard to buy, then because I didn't have any money, and now just because I don't want to deal with the stress of owning my own place. Everything about owning seems so haaaarrrd, from inspection to taxes to regime fees to insurance to how much it costs to fix a leaky roof. I have a huge place right now with a working fireplace; my rent is much less than a mortgage (at least the mortgages of the people I know), I don't have to pay taxes on the place, worry about my house payment skyrocketing because the loan people randomly decide to raise the interest rate, and I can pick up the phone and call someone else to pay for whatever's broken.
I am the first one to admit that I am mulishly resistant when it comes to issues of finance and investment. I don't open my 401K or bank statements. I don't balance my checkbook (I have overdraft protection and a vague method of keeping up with how much money I have by accessing my account online). I have a few minor dings on my credit report that I hope will just go away eventually (magically). I don't like to talk or think about money, period. And I'm defensive as hell whenever someone launches into the "why you have to buy a house RIGHT NOW" speech.
What I don't like to admit: Being single is hard. I like to think of myself as single by choice (as opposed to single and desperate). Most of the time, I'm really happy that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, without having to consider someone else. This weekend, for the first time in I-don't-know-how-many years, I actually wished I was half of a couple so I could have someone else help me deal with the Business of Me. Perhaps what I really need is a financial advisor, but what I was thinking is more along the lines of another person to worry about this stuff with me (not for me); and then there's the factor of having a second income.
The whole thing makes me feel weak. It also brings my self-esteem down a few notches in the Feminism category (because a truly independent woman would have all of this under control). I should be able to deal with all of this on my own, right? Shouldn't I be able to act like a grown up by now?
I have rented for most of my adult life, first because I wasn't sure if I'd stay in Charleston, then because my credit sucked too hard to buy, then because I didn't have any money, and now just because I don't want to deal with the stress of owning my own place. Everything about owning seems so haaaarrrd, from inspection to taxes to regime fees to insurance to how much it costs to fix a leaky roof. I have a huge place right now with a working fireplace; my rent is much less than a mortgage (at least the mortgages of the people I know), I don't have to pay taxes on the place, worry about my house payment skyrocketing because the loan people randomly decide to raise the interest rate, and I can pick up the phone and call someone else to pay for whatever's broken.
I am the first one to admit that I am mulishly resistant when it comes to issues of finance and investment. I don't open my 401K or bank statements. I don't balance my checkbook (I have overdraft protection and a vague method of keeping up with how much money I have by accessing my account online). I have a few minor dings on my credit report that I hope will just go away eventually (magically). I don't like to talk or think about money, period. And I'm defensive as hell whenever someone launches into the "why you have to buy a house RIGHT NOW" speech.
What I don't like to admit: Being single is hard. I like to think of myself as single by choice (as opposed to single and desperate). Most of the time, I'm really happy that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, without having to consider someone else. This weekend, for the first time in I-don't-know-how-many years, I actually wished I was half of a couple so I could have someone else help me deal with the Business of Me. Perhaps what I really need is a financial advisor, but what I was thinking is more along the lines of another person to worry about this stuff with me (not for me); and then there's the factor of having a second income.
The whole thing makes me feel weak. It also brings my self-esteem down a few notches in the Feminism category (because a truly independent woman would have all of this under control). I should be able to deal with all of this on my own, right? Shouldn't I be able to act like a grown up by now?
Monday, May 07, 2007
Note to self...
“The true self is a disturbing character, healthy and occasionally anarchistic, who knows how to play, how to say no to others and 'yes' to itself."
~ Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
I just needed a little reminder.
Today's inspiration: Author Meghan Daum, the E! True Hollywood Story on Rachael Ray, the Washington Post's special section on feminism & art, finishing The Glass Castle, being in the middle of Then We Came to the End, very short stories, and TAL's new web site.
~ Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
I just needed a little reminder.
Today's inspiration: Author Meghan Daum, the E! True Hollywood Story on Rachael Ray, the Washington Post's special section on feminism & art, finishing The Glass Castle, being in the middle of Then We Came to the End, very short stories, and TAL's new web site.
