If we made a list of civil rights grievances and who has the most (if such a silly undertaking were ever performed), who would have the most? African-Americans with 300 years of slavery, oppression, rape and murder? Native Americans (North, South and Central) with 400 years of attempted genocide, rape, theft, and murder? Muslims? Jews?
The list would be endlessly disputed and could amount to years of historical research.
It strikes me though that it is pretty easy to note that just about every society we have ever heard about, especially those we speak of as being influential in the development of modern America, has had a less than progressive view of women.
Indeed, it is not so unfair to say that women have been among the most oppressed, repressed, and victimized subgroups in history, which is not to denigrate the suffering of others.
You may ask yourself, why write this diary now?
Well, I'll tell you. Advocating Feminism is always relevant because women's rights are always in danger.
Men are always talking, and men like me are always talking about politics. I'm Black and Latino and amongst my own friends, who are of all different types of backgrounds, we often discuss civil rights and the ideal that "all men are created equal."
We talk about slavery. We talk about the treatment of Native Americans. We argue for a broadening of legislation that extends and broadens opportunities for all minority groups, but with special consideration for that biggest of all subgroups: the poor. We make fun of people who say that this country was founded on Christian principles. (Would those be the Christian principles of slavery, Native American genocide, or witch burning?)
We entertain every point of view and attack every point of view in the attempt to sharpen our ideas and strengthen the convictions that remain defensible.
As you may have guessed, Sarah Palin has been a topic of discussion. Granted that I have already disclosed that in our discussions no comment is considered taboo in the pursuit of a good argument.
When she had her scuffle with David Letterman, we talked about the fact that she introduced her family into the public arena. We came to the conclusion that she had decided to market her abilities as a parent, her ability to manage her household, as skills and values that made her a viable VP choice. Sure, Letterman's jokes were in poor taste, but he didn't say anything "perverted." Her daughter did get pregnant out of wedlock. In fact, his comments about her daughter were not the issue for me. He called her a "slutty, flight attendant." That was a bit over the top.
Granted, its easy to make fun of her. She makes herself a target with winks and a bunch of other gimmicky mannerisms. Still, "slutty" is never an acceptable term, except for those of us in drag on Halloween.
I'm not defending her. I wouldn't. She's no friend to women's rights or equality. She doesn't even believe that women deserve equal pay for equal work.
Ann Coulter recently spoke of looks. It was a mistake on her part. My friends called her all kinds of names. They said she looked like a man, even one of my buddy's girlfriends got in on the action talking about her choice of accessories or something. Keith Olbermann toed the line on this subject, understandably, because of the ludicrous principle she was advancing in which she advocated that women in politics should be judged by their appearances and her personal swipe at Rachel Maddow.
I don't know what the big deal is about Ann Coulter. She's a skinny and remarkably unfunny lady. I wouldn't say anything other than that I hope she doesn't believe the bile she passes off as a reasoned argument.
I make fun of people that read her books and quote her in conversation. I don't make fun of her appearance.
It makes me seriously uncomfortable that we never talk about men this way except when we are denigrating their manhood, and questioning their sexuality.
I remember when Nancy Pelosi was named to be the next speaker of the house and the media was talking about her and her family and whether or not a "good woman" would consider taking this career opportunity.
It struck me that, for all of their talk of family values, no male politician has ever had to consider staying at home and raising his children to be considered a "good man."
I know its unpopular to defend conservative women, and that is not what I am doing here.
I am not defending conservatism.
I firmly believe that a government of the people, by the people and for the people should take an interest in those people and their well-being. I believe that the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are significantly infringed upon without access to health care. I believe that everyone is created equally, and should share equal rights before the law with everyone else, the most basic expression of this equality is in the freedom to love and marry whomever one chooses. I believe that the government should not interject itself into the most private of individual places by trying to exert control over a woman's reproductive choices. I believe that workers have the right to organize and bargain for benefits, wages and consideration. Furthermore, I believe it is the government's duty to protect these rights and public interests from the influence of individual and private interests.
I am not defending conservatism.
I am defending women. Not because they asked me to do it, or because they need me to do it, but because its the right thing to do. I am defending women because they are human beings who are entitled to the dignity and consideration of that condition like anyone else. How can we say that we aspire to the virtue of our ideals, like equality, when we entertain positions that denigrate our wives, girlfriends, sisters and mothers? I understand its popular in culture to see women as objects of our lust who have silly and emotional ideas and mannerisms, but is that the world we want to leave our daughters (when we have them)?
The next time your buddy says something about women that is patently disrespectful (usually followed by the congratulatory round of "know what I mean?"'s for the insight into the nature of that most curious of creatures) respond with "Hey man, how's your mother doing?"
Besides, whenever I don't know what to feel about a specific issue and am looking for a little moral direction I look to Pat Robertson. We all know how Pat feels about feminism:
"Feminism is a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians" - Pat Robertson
I look to Pat Robertson and do and feel the opposite of what he is instructing.
Okay, feel free to gore me.