In case anyone missed Gloria Steinem’s earlier assertion that women have it so much worse than blacks, Geraldine Ferraro is unapologetically driving the point home, claiming that Barack Obama wouldn’t be in the position he’s in if he weren’t black.
Coincidentally, the original story ran on the same day that my sweetheart, walking home from the local pub, was stopped by the police on the street where we live. There have been reports of burglaries in the neighborhood, and I need to see your ID, and you’re not carrying any drugs or guns, are you? You know, just the typical things you’d ask a mature, upper-class white woman.
Wait, I’m getting my prejudices mixed up. Where were we? Oh, yes.
There’s periodic crabbing from the old guard that third-wave feminists (of which I consider myself a part) don’t appreciate what came before them -- how hard people like Steinem and Ferraro worked to ensure that women and men are regarded equally. And I’ll admit, I have more choices and opportunities in my life in part because of their raised voices. But as much as I appreciate the ground they broke and the progress they made, I have to say: Gloria, Geraldine, you don’t speak for me any longer. To keep claiming that you have it worst of all shows a disregard -- may I say intolerance? -- that will prevent others from taking your valid points seriously. Thanks for the memories, but I’m moving on. I only wish you could do the same.
March 12, 2008
Old girls club
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3 comments:
Sadly, this is the same crap they've stumbled over since the beginning of time. I guess to them, there's just not enough oppression to go around (?) so they want it all to themselves. Am I missing something?
Isn't feminism supposed to be inclusive? Isn't that the point?
And your story about the cops stopping your sweetie makes me madder than hell.
Yes, that first wave of feminism left my mother, who chose to stay at home, out in the cold. It was also the wave of feminism that ignored minorities and all working class women. Kimba's right it is about inclusion, of race and of choice.
This first wave is keeps sticking in people's craws. It leaves me explaining to many, many people what feminism really is. The first wavers need to move on if they expect anyone to take feminism seriously. As a hyphenated third waver, I'm getting tired of them.
And, shame on those cops!
Hear hear. I'm so tired of second wavers declaring that we don't understand how they suffered so for the rights we take for granted. And I hate that they haven't moved on and dwell on past grievances as if they're still fresh.
They need to understand that we third wavers have a point. By expecting equal rights, they're more readily given to us with less of a backlash. It doesn't mean we get them (please to note our reproductive rights still not on par with men's reproductive rights), but it's a more productive use of our efforts to, oh I don't know, move with the times.
It's sad that these women I used to respect just embarrass/appall the hell out of me anymore.
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