Calling All Feminists
by Connie Schultz
Nearly two decades ago, a black professional woman who was a friend shared a heartbreaking secret:
"I wish I had the right to be average," she said. "Just once in a while."
We were sitting at my kitchen table, unwinding over a glass of wine after a long day. She was normally so feisty and full of fight and never one for self-pity. This had to be fatigue talking.
"Oh, c'mon," I said. "No one expects you to be perfect."
"N ...
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7 Comments | Post Comment
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Posted by: Tina
Comment: #1
Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:00 PM
Feminists, should shut-up and iron their husband's shirts.
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Posted by: davd w pennington
Comment: #2
Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:03 PM
"...women can make it clear to those who feel free to trash Michelle Obama that there is a cost for disrespecting any woman."
Ms. Schultz, I don't have a problem with anyone sticking up for anyone else who has been "trashed", or who has been "disrespected". (Isn't there a REAL word with this meaning?) And therein lies the problem with Mrs. Obama: while some may think, as you report, that SHE was being trashed and disrespected, what I saw happening was that it was she who threw the first stone, as it were, trashing and disrespecting untold numbers of her fellow countrymen. The outcry that you and others are now criticizing was, in actuality, the voice of those offended denouncing the offense and the offender.
By the way, on the topic of women speaking out on behalf of women: where is the American feminist voice with regard to the plight of the women of Islam? That's where I am puzzled at the silence--although I admit it's not surprising, considering the deafening silence that came from feminists during the years when we learned of President Clinton's record of sexual predation. Consistency goes a long way toward helping establish credibility and relevance, both of which, I suggest, feminists only have when talking to each other.
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Posted by: gypsy
Comment: #3
Sat Jul 5, 2008 1:55 AM
Where are your feminist lawyers? Isn't racial discrimination a violation of law?
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Posted by: gypsy
Comment: #4
Sat Jul 5, 2008 1:56 AM
Re: Tina
you must be ironing even his boxer shorts
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Posted by: Kapmep
Comment: #5
Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:22 AM
Sorry, Ms. Schultz, but Michelle Obama made the same comment about being proud of her country for the first time in more than one campaign appearance. The word "really" wasn't always there. The reality is, by now most Americans probably know who and what she is. Personally, I don't want her anywhere near the White House, and it has nothing to do with her race or gender. Can't you crawl out of your "identity politics" foxhole long enough to understand that?
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Posted by: robert j therriault
Comment: #6
Tue Jul 1, 2008 3:36 AM
Hi Connie
I think your friend is correct in desiring to be treated like a "normal" person. But this "normal" person doesn't get half the respect he/she deserves in the first place. I believe that the respect any women should receive should have no relation to her being a woman. It seems you are asking for chivalry and equal rights.
Bob
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Posted by: John Duffy
Comment: #7
Wed Jul 2, 2008 12:17 PM
I am registered with "the other political party", the one Michelle is not with.
My personal reaction to the attempted trashing of Michelle Obama is that the trashers are going to be surprised at how many people they turn off. Little secret - I do not know her, but I bet that Michelle is not perfect! Surprise! But then, neither am I, and I am thankful that she is not. I can relate to her not being perfect, and I can relate to her voicing a strong opinion. Thank you God for someone willing to take a stand with class!
I do disagree with some of what she says. Maybe even a lot. But who cares? We all have our own opinions. Did she not have children with a then-struggling politician? Stay with him when money was REAL tight? Raise those children? Somehow keep them out of the press? Manage a family and a high-profile political spouse successfully? Hello! Would that we all could do as much so gracefully! As the TV ad says, "she EARNED the right to her opinions!"
I enjoy discussions about differences, when the discussion focuses around understanding the difference, not around immediately disrespecting the other side.
The conversations around Michelle have more of a flavor of immediate disrespect (or, as some have said) fear, rather than exploration.
I am quite sure, based on my own personal polls, that most people I talk with are much more upset with the disrespect shown Michelle than they are upset over an opinion she might voice.
John Duffy
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