Explaining May 2, 2008

So here goes the explanation for discussing feminism. I returned “that” book to the library after giving it the 50 page limit.  Sometimes I give books 100 pages and if it hasn’t grabbed me, it’s done, finished and outta my life. This combo biography/women’s history just didn’t grab me.

Women like Carly Simon, Carole King and Joni Mitchell are not in my age bracket, nor are they mentors or role models for me.  I learned of the book from watching a biographical piece about Joni Mitchell on the CBS show Sunday Morning.  All of these women have had hard times and also times of great success. I just can’t relate to them.

I would like to propose that the younger generations come up with some newer “hip” vocabulary to explain feminism and being liberated in the year 2008.  I don’t even like those words. They remind me of hygiene products and degrading  commercials I prefer not to acknowledge.  The connotation reminds me of Jane Fonda vs Phyllis Shaffley at the WWE; wearing pink boxing gloves.

There is a new hip free magazine in Richmond called SKIRT.  I enjoy it as much as I enjoy Natural Awakenings and Style Weekly.  The May issue has a contest going on  “I’m a Feminist because…”    And there is an article by a young lady from Princeton entitled…”How Can You Be A Feminist without Anyone Knowing?”   It’s a good article.  I am just waiting for  new words to appear and  be promoted other than the “F” word and the “L” word.  Maybe I should ask Stephen Colbert?

I do think this a good time in our history to revisit and recreate contemporary meanings for equality and valueing humans; female and males.  

Thanks for listening.  I promise not to go down this path again without the chocolate and big stick!