Tuesday, March 8, 2005

Feminism is the radical notion that women are people

It Will Take All Our Energy to Stand Still

Today is International Women's Day. The above article described the war being waged on women's rights by the Bush administration. Thanks to Luke for posting about the occasion. It says something about how little attention is paid to women's issues that even a relatively well-connected progressive such as myself didn't realize that it was today until I read his blog.

Frankly, I am appalled that things such as race and sex are still an issue today. I guess I grew up in an era (the 1980s-90s)in which the rights of women were largely taken for granted after the big "women's lib" pushes of the 1960s and 70s. It still amazes me to think that just four generations ago women couldn't vote in the United States! And yet women are still paid about 20% less than men, women are still being told what they can and can't do with their bodies, women are still characterized as bitches when they are strong and sluts when they embrace their sexuality.

What is wrong with my fellow men that prevents them from treating women as they treat each other? And sadly, I must also ask what is wrong with so many women who have grown complacent with their gains thus far when there is so much more to be achieved? Why are women's rights not at the top of the national agenda with all other forms of inequity, where they belong?

For my part, I will continue to be a proud male feminist.

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2 comments:

  1. I too continue to be a proud male feminist!

    And yes, it's so crazy that we are still thinking about this. The complacency is deafening.

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  2. I had no idea either until I got an e-mail from a male friend of mine. :)

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