Posts Tagged ‘feminism’

November 29th, 2010

Some Words are NEVER Acceptable

I wish I could say the internet actually shocks me anymore, but I am starting to realize the bad behavior, vulgar treatment of others, and shit talking is something even those of us in the blogging community are never going to get away from. I guess that is the price we pay for living in the public spotlight on the internet.

But one thing I came across yesterday really made my blood boil. I am not going to link the post, because of course, it doesn’t need anymore attention, and I am sure that is what the author actually wants… but for someone who is so concerned about women, children, and parenting to use such nasty language towards another woman was nothing short of disgusting.

The word I am talking about is Cunt… or “the c-word” as I will be referring to it simply because I find the term so utterly degrading that I choose not to use it myself. And you all know me, I have no problem throwing down an F bomb, or using my sailor mouth I have acquired in my time.

But for a woman, to sit down, and consciously use the c-word as an insult to another female makes me wonder what kind of a person they truly are. Women should be supporting each other despite our differences… not further perpetuating catty stereotypes, and here we are putting each other down with such derogatory terms.

As a feminist, I was shocked, disgusted, and saddened. Saddened that today women are still going after other women in such a degrading manner. I couldn’t help but shake my head and address the use of the c-word on my own blog.

Disagree, or agree, I honestly don’t care… in my opinion using the c-word towards another female is never and will never be acceptable, period.

Oh, and neither is insulting someones child, but that is a whole other ballgame/post altogether.

October 12th, 2010

Violence Against Women is Never Acceptable

In recent weeks I have noticed a ton of violence against women in the National spotlight, and it got me thinking about it on such a larger scale. Why is it acceptable to be plastered all over television, and even further, why are there supporters behind a candidate for Senate who has made a living off exploiting and perpetuating violence against women on a large scale television entertainment show.

First it started Thursday night when I was laying down to watch some television and drift off to sleep. I was flipping through the channels and stopped at The Jersey Shore, which is like a train wreck to me. I typically don’t watch it and I think all total I have watched maybe 45 minutes of the show, but I tuned in just in time to see “The Situation” slap “Snooki” in the face. Like it was nothing… Big strong man gets a hair up his ass because everyone is having fun but him, and he slaps a chick in the face. I used to be a fan on him, at least on Dancing with the Stars, but he is on my shit list now. It is never acceptable under any circumstances to hit another person, especially a man hitting a woman. No way, no how… NEVER!

This is a popular MTV show which tons of teens, and even younger children are watching despite of the show rating, and by keeping this kind of actions in the show and not leaving it on the cutting room floor only shows these same children violence against women is acceptable, which it is not, and it is wrong.

Then we move on to Linda McMahon and the WWE empire. This has been on for ages, and in one year grossed her over 46 million dollars. That is a lot of money, but the problem I have with this money is it is being made off violence against women, and serious exploitation of women. Yesterday I came across a news cast that broke down some of the actions of the WWE, and her actions specifically.

First off, viewing what Linda has to say defending her actions, and part in the programing of WWE does not do it for me as a parent, and a feminist. Her husband Vince McMahon, and founder of WWE goes on National television and tells a woman to get on all fours and bark like a dog, and she has the nerve to defend these types of actions? Not only are they not acceptable, but they are degrading to women all over.  It is part of a cycle that needs to be broken in our society.

Families, including younger children are going to these live events and witnessing this, and by watching this whether live or on television, it is showing our next generation of men that these are acceptable actions. Further perpetuating the gender gap, and acceptance of domestic abuse in our society, which is never ok.

This is a person running for a Senate seat showing her open acceptance for domestic violence, and exploitation of women through her first amendment rights. Which I think is a total crock.

While most of my readers are not here in Connecticut where this is taking place, I think it is important to get this message out on a National level. These images and messages are never acceptable in our homes, on our televisions, or being taught to our children in any way, shape, or form.

We need to break the cycle, because if we do not step in now, it is only going to continue through the next generations, and there will be no end in sight!

June 24th, 2010

Feminism & The Bachelor

I will be the first one to admit I am a reality TV junkie. But in recent years as the hit ABC series The Bachelor has evolved, I have been becoming more put off by the concept of the show.  One man, 25 women, one winner. While it is a genius ratings cash cow, it is certainly degrading to the 25 women who take part in the show.

I understand the quest for love, I really do. I had all but given up on dating when my husband unexpectedly dropped into my life again after not seeing each other in more than 7 years. I had broken it off with my ex, and made the choice to be single, like I had been for almost two years before that departure.

I would watch these reality shows and dream about being the winner of love, or having a amazing romantic story that took place jet setting all over the globe. But then again, I would never have taken the time to date someone who was seeing another woman, let alone 24 other women. Not to mention that clearly I am no super model wanna-be although I was Jr. Miss Connecticut in 1996. (Haha! That is another story in itself)

What is my point?
Where am I going with this?

The Bachelor is degrading. The men are disrespectful towards the women. The makers of the show paint women in a bad picture, and fuel the unattractive behavior with alcohol, and contests. And in the end, 9 times out of 10 at least, it is the woman who flashed her tits, and put out the most that gets the final rose, and “wins” the contest, or heart of the Bachelor in question.

Of course the vast majority of the couples don’t last, which isn’t surprising, especially once the show airs and the women see just how down and dirty their fiance got with multiple other women when they weren’t around. Of course part of the show, but I have yet to meet a woman that would sit well with.

I just wish American women would take a second look at how we are being treated, like sex objects, material possessions, and exploited by reality television shows, like The Bachelor. We need to build higher expectations for the next generation, and teach our daughters and sons better.

February 10th, 2010

When Feminists Draw a Line…

Since I have been a “member” of the feminism community, I have noticed a trend that is not seeming to change. The number of feminists that stop the fight for rights, and choice at abortion. Once a woman makes the decision to continue a pregnancy, they stop fighting for those rights. Now granted, not all feminists are like that. But this really has sparked thoughts in myself, as well as Gina, better known as The Feminist Breeder. Fitting blog title huh?

I found Gina through ICAN, but most people have stumbled upon her blog long before. But what drew me in the most was the amount of similar views that we shared. I was in instant … sistermance?  Is that kind of compatible to bromance? You get the point…

Yesterday she wrote an amazingly awesome blog about exactly what we are going to talk about tomorrow night, I encourage everyone to go over to her blog and read : I’ve Been Annoyed with Feminist This Week .  She in short articulates everything that I wanted to say. We have these giant woman’s rights organizations going to bat over the stupid 30 second Tim Tebow & Focus on the Family ad for the Super Bowl, but when it comes to an 11 minute segment on an elective cesarean section, or a 5 minute segment on water birth, both giving out horrid information to the mainstream public, screw that… it isn’t important enough.

I am so grateful for groups like The National Advocates for Pregnant Women who are truly working on this issue, and not just skimming over issues like this. We can hope that other big named groups such as NOW and NARAL will follow suit.

In light of this real issue, we decided to sit down and talk on the Momotics Radio show this Thursday Night at 10pm EST.  If you don’t know, Gina also has a kick ass radio show herself called The Feminist Breeder and Friends. Tune in Every Sunday night at 10pm CST.  I hope you tune in and join us this Thursday night.

This is not an issue that stops during pregnancy.

For some more cases on pregnant woman’s rights being violated, as well as birthing women, check out the links & video below :

NJ Case of VM
FL Case of Samantha Burton

It really all makes you think!

February 4th, 2010

Being a Feminist & SAHM

I have always been a little on the radical side, from the moment I was a teen and I still like to think I am going strong today, but a little on the more normal side. In high school I was the girl with the piercings, and getting tattoos which I have continued to add into adulthood, minus the piercings, although I wouldn’t mind them again. I found out when I was around 20 that they weren’t as socially acceptable as they were when I was working in a Motorcycle dealership so out they went.
I first started getting involved with the feminism movement when I started getting involved with Planned Parenthood and the pro choice movement in my mid-late teens. I always was independent, whether it came to money, or just doing something myself, and my mother always raised me to never depend on a man for anything. It has stuck with me even today. This because my mother was married at 15, had two kids, and was a single mother by the time she was 18 with not a dime of child support in the mix. So her message always came through loud and clear. I was lucky enough to enter the family when my siblings were 15, and 17 years old, with a father who valued his family.

I knew I always wanted better, and I knew I never wanted to depend on anyone else. I wanted to be a strong and independent woman.

So how does this translate into a stay at home mother right?  Sadly there are many SAHM’s out there that will be saddled with someone else supporting on the until their children are older and independent, and while my husband may be the main bread winner in our family, I could go out tomorrow and do what I need to do to support my boys if that was the case.

But again, it comes back to my choice to give up a good portion of my independence to stay at home with my kids. Most people have asked me why I made the choice to be a SAHM. And my answer has always been the same thing…. “Why would I have kids if I didn’t intend on raising them?”

Now, I am not saying all parents who use daycare are allowing someone else to “raise” their children, but sadly a good portion of them do. Dropping a child off at daycare at 6am, and not coming back to get them until 5 or 6pm is a huge portion of the day, and if they are anything like my children that would allow dinner, a bath, and maybe an hour of interaction before bed. I don’t see that as a fit amount of time for a parent to spend with their child.

I see it slightly different with a two parent household with one parent that is able to stay at home because the children get the constant one on one with at least one parent. How it works in our home is when Daddy gets home, Daddy is the center of the boys universe. Neither boy will even give me the time of day once Daddy has graced us with his presence.  Which allows me to get thing that I need to do done.
Shower, dinner, cleaning, laundry or other things the kids didn’t let me get done while I was alone with them during the day.

I know there are so many feminist out there that will turn a cheek and call me something like a “moo” or a “breeder” but ya know what?  Motherhood is a huge accomplishment to me, and the two children I am raising are far more than a stereotypical name or opinion of a stranger.

I am proud to be a Feminist SAHM.