even death may die

domingo, abril 23, 2006

Equality for Women and What That Means [or Why No More Pots and Pans] ; 10:46 da tarde

[a pedido de varias famílias ;) ]

Pat Robertson tells us that "[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."Well, yes Pat, but only in our spare time.

Early feminists had an easy task at hand, with definite goals and a clear agenda: the right to vote; the right to learn; the right to work; the right to own property - yes, for there would be years before we could lay claim to our bodies, and the results of that are yet to be seen. The modern world learnt subtlety and suddenly western women are no longer kept under the oppressive rule of male domination. Or so men keep saying.

Apparently women in Africa and in the Middle East are oppressed but not western women. They have reached equality and they ought to be celebrating. And so, because they are no longer sold in marriage, and because they can vote and be elected and not be stoned to death on the grounds of adultery, they must be glad and overlook the fact that a great many deal of them are still getting paid less money for equal work; being denied jobs because they can get pregnant; being denied the right to abortion because their bodies are not their own; being deemed weaker, "emotional", and "angry at men" for remarking on the still existing differences in treatment for both genders.

A girl's childhood is spent among Barbie-dolls and fairy princesses who require being rescued by a prince in order to be happy ever after. And the girl is told "don't run", "don't shout", "that's not ladylike". And she grows up into someone who must, in order to succeed in life, be a wife and a mother and a career woman, and excel at all three. And what could otherwise have turned out to be a strong, confident, well-adjusted individual is still waiting to be rescued. And they keep saying there is no discrimination. And they keep shouting it.

Of course many people would point out that men are also discriminated against. I am not arguing that, I am sure they are in a great many ways. However, at a very primary level, this is still a world largely dominated by men and their rules: culturally, historically, and socially. It is patent in the very way we speak: words like mankind; the use of the masculine form to indicate generality; even the word "woman", some feminists might add.

It has been often said that it is foolish to pursue equality for men and women, since both genders are essentially different, with very unique, distinctive features. As I see it that is a very common misconception of what feminism aims at, which is not equality per se, but rather equal rights. It is nothing but the simplest notion that both a men and a woman are worthy of an opportunity and both capable of doing a good job. More than that, it is the realization that men are not "helping around the house", but only doing their fair share of the work, and that women do not require people to open doors for them. It is also the understanding that being judged for one's fabulous legs and wonderful breasts is not flattering but insulting and one of many ways through which women are objectified, not only by men but by themselves.

Some have argued that feminism is a way of self-discrimination, that through it women are adding to their own sense of difference and self-prejudice. However, the time for women to bow and serve and keep silent about it is long gone in the western culture. That was brought about by women who dared to remark on the difference and rebel against it. No one ever achieved anything by keeping quiet about it. Generations of women who still bow in the corner of their minds keep being bred by a society that perpetuates values of a dying world. And women want no more compromises. "Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less."

publicada por sancie # 10:46 da tarde 6 Comentários

sexta-feira, abril 21, 2006

Untitled ; 11:21 da tarde

[so it's obviously not the essay. sorry girls, i think i'll just leave it out for good]

Bom dia doçura.

Duas meninas e um beijo pequenino, um gatinho sentado ao canto da sala.

De castigo.

Três anões desceram a rua com canecas de cerveja na mão e uma canção sobre um pirata, que dizia YO YO, e mais qualquer coisa. Eram sete, os anões, mas os outros já tinham morrido e também não faziam muita falta.

Só faz falta quem está.

Canções de meninas estrangeiras que entram por um ouvido e ficam. Outras coisas de outras meninas também. Muitos livros empilhados numa sala. Por uma empilhadora de verdade, amarela e com luzinhas. Três passos em direcção ao rio. Chuva e sol e um arco-íris.

Aposto que não sabiam que esse por aí andava.

A primeira Senhora olhou lá para baixo e riu divertida. Tontos. A outra Senhora também olhou, mas não é do tipo risonho.

Mas sorriu, bela e sombria e bela. Três penas de corvo no mármore e uma gotinha vermelha na neve.

Boa noite doçura.

publicada por sancie # 11:21 da tarde 1 Comentários