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Blog Against Sexism Day
Mar. 8th, 2007 08:17 pmUsing my spiffy sexism icon, courtesy of ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
commodorified.
I'd like to start off by quoting Rebecca West's immortal line - "I myself have never been able to find out what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute."
Feminism is the radical notion that women are people. Full, equal people who do not have to be shielded from the harsh world outside our homes.
Sexism is the enemy of that notion.
The idea that "typically female" jobs are also the lowest paying (such as education and child care, arguably two of the most important jobs in our society) is the enemy of that notion.
The idea that female soldiers must be shielded from combat is the enemy of that notion. Female soldiers are acquitting themselves with honor, bringing credit to their services, because they are doing their job, whatever that job brings. In a war like the current one, the front lines mean less, because danger can strike anywhere. A bullet, or an IED, does not care what gender you are.
The idea that the word "vagina" is dirty and inappropriate for children to hear or read (as shown by some of the latest controversies involving Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues) is the enemy of that notion.
The fact that women still pay a "mommy tax" is the enemy of that notion.
The fact that violence against women still provokes the response of "What were you wearing?/What did you DO?" is the enemy of that notion. As long as there is one person saying it, it is too much.
The goal is not to have Women Ruling The World. The goal is to have Women Participating Equally in the Running of the World.
It doesn't have to be an "us against them" proposition.
And, lastly, the next time someone starts talking about the "mommy wars" or any other trend report designed to set women against each other? Tell them where to stick it. We don't need more division. We need more strength, and for that, we need to stick together.
Let's do it for ourselves, and for our children - daughters and sons. Living in a more equal world will benefit all of them.
DV
commodorified.I'd like to start off by quoting Rebecca West's immortal line - "I myself have never been able to find out what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute."
Feminism is the radical notion that women are people. Full, equal people who do not have to be shielded from the harsh world outside our homes.
Sexism is the enemy of that notion.
The idea that "typically female" jobs are also the lowest paying (such as education and child care, arguably two of the most important jobs in our society) is the enemy of that notion.
The idea that female soldiers must be shielded from combat is the enemy of that notion. Female soldiers are acquitting themselves with honor, bringing credit to their services, because they are doing their job, whatever that job brings. In a war like the current one, the front lines mean less, because danger can strike anywhere. A bullet, or an IED, does not care what gender you are.
The idea that the word "vagina" is dirty and inappropriate for children to hear or read (as shown by some of the latest controversies involving Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues) is the enemy of that notion.
The fact that women still pay a "mommy tax" is the enemy of that notion.
The fact that violence against women still provokes the response of "What were you wearing?/What did you DO?" is the enemy of that notion. As long as there is one person saying it, it is too much.
The goal is not to have Women Ruling The World. The goal is to have Women Participating Equally in the Running of the World.
It doesn't have to be an "us against them" proposition.
And, lastly, the next time someone starts talking about the "mommy wars" or any other trend report designed to set women against each other? Tell them where to stick it. We don't need more division. We need more strength, and for that, we need to stick together.
Let's do it for ourselves, and for our children - daughters and sons. Living in a more equal world will benefit all of them.
DV
