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September 6, 1997
Feminism.
Sabs said, as we walked out of G.I. Jane that it was a very feminist movie. I sat there and thought about it for a minute, nodding in silent agreement. I was defining to myself, again, exactly what it is that feminism is, and what it "should" be and how I feel about it.
Mostly, because, these days there are new questions arising around feminism and there is a questioning of the thrust of feminism as it has been for the past 20-30 years. Meaning, that there is a questioning of women forcing themselves into what is thought of as a "masculine" role, i.e. women in business and so forth.
The push has been on equalizing women by "making them into men". I read this in one of the women's magazines that I read on occasion. I don't remember if it was Cosmopolitan or New Woman.
Some women are starting to move in different ways, interpreting feminism differently, not by changing themselves, but by trying to change the perceptions of society. Trying to give value to "traditionally feminine" things such as being a homemaker. In other words, they are making things that women already did, EQUAL to the tasks which men already did by changing the way people think about them. Instead of thinking "Oh she's just a housewife" it's "Wow, she's a homemaker".
I actually have a lot of trouble with these kinds of issues. My parents raised me in a fairly gender-blind way. I was a bright kid and was given all of the advantages that my parents could, educationally speaking. My parents never told me I couldn't do something "because you're a girl" my father played soccer with all three of us, my brothers and I without making a distinction between what was more or less proper for me vs. them. My brothers played dolls with me when we were younger and as far as I can tell my mother and father never batted an eyelash. Granted, in gift-giving, they tended to give my brothers more "boy-oriented" things and gave me "girl-oriented" things. But they also were more likely to give us things that were more neutral, like books and Legos.
Basically, I consider the right to do things, the right to learn things as HUMAN rights. I wouldn't want someone telling me that I couldn't do something just because I was a woman, and I wouldn't want someone to tell Sabs he couldn't do something just because he's a man. Yes there are very distinct differences between men and women. Biologically we're rigged for different purposes, but essentially we were each given abilities which would allow us, ultimately, to survive in a harsh environment whether in a group, or alone.
When teamed together, humans became a force to be reckoned with. Alone, we much more vulnerable, but still able to defend ourselves, in different ways.
Each person, individually has strengths and weaknesses and abilities which make them more or less fit for certain tasks. Some women are physically stronger and more imposing than some men. Some men are more nest-inclined and have better organizational abilities.
Every person should have the right to prove themselves based on their own talents and abilities, not based on their gender, age, race etc. etc etc.
Tolerance and acceptance it seems to me, are still and always will be two of the most powerful morals that we, as humans could choose to espouse. And an open mind is something so valuable, that I can't even begin to put a price on it.
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