Vicariously Shaming
TV has ruined me! My vicarious living refuses to coincide with my feminist views. For instance, I have been watching a Netflix show, Peaky Blinders. Fabulous acting and scene set up, the show is based in England, 1919. we are only a half of season in. In this show there is an operative, Grace, working for the national coppers. She has been given a mission to seduce the head of the gang, Tommy, to get intell about the illegal activity. (Spoiler alert: she follows through with the mission then resigns, before turning down a proposal from her copper boss [ewwwy]. She has chosen to stay as bar-maid for Tommy's family bar and, I'm assuming, pursue the relationship with the gang leader.)
Well, I am officially at the point of wanting Grace to give up her values and fall in love with Tommy. I am even starting to not like her character for betraying Tommy...how messed up is that?! Instead of saying, "what a bad ass woman!" or "thanks to her, a major gang could be stopped," I am judging her. In my mind, she is not her character, but instead just a love interest.
I know this may sound ridiculous, but it is only one example of many times I have easily judged someone on the magic box. This makes it easier and easier to judge women around me.
Values Without Judgement
Since the election, I have had many discussions concerning abortion, something most people did not discuss before. I myself am pro-choice. As the phrase suggests, I will support your opinion of what abortion may be and what you chose with your reproductive organs. However, shaming or judging women with the opposite view or of those who have had an abortion will not be tolerated.
However, I can see why they may be so distraught about abortion. Imagine being told since you were a small child that abortion was murder of a beautiful, innocent baby. If I was conditioned that way, of course I would feel righteous in the fight against "baby murdering."
In one of my classes, a professor has chosen to use the classroom as a political platform. At one point asking I and another student if we were "right, center, or left." Both of us answered left. Next the professor vocally assumed in front of the class we were both pro-choice (I am unsure of the other students position). This was one of many times, the professor explained her political view, voicing her "disappointment" in the Black Lives Matter movement and the Women's March following the inauguration. Keep in mind, this class I am speaking about is an introduction course for Social Work (one of the core values is about diversity and inclusion), and not political science. For the next ten minutes, the professor explained she thought abortion was murder and it was a sin. Of course, yesterday during class a superior professor performed a peer review...we might have a more inclusive professor next week.
Final Words from HF
Whether you're pro-choice or pro-life, be respectful of all opinions. If it's better to not talk about it, don't. I have a friend who is pro-life, we have kept our close friendship (she is one of my bridesmaids, in fact) by not talking politics. My moto is "the political arena is not in your friends living room." Protest, call and write to your legislator, work to be on the ballot, and allow discussion, those are the ways to change.
Fight the good fight! Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Hillbilly Feminist
This ranty episode discusses topics ranging from wedding frustrations to social policy. Get ready to follow several tangents to get to the end.
Recently I went to a student discussion of Intersectional Feminism at the university I attend, which was amazing! The best part was, instead of being surrounded by white middle class women, there was a great mix of people, also know as an intersectional group. I heard some women (and men!) talking about oppression I will never experience. It was eye opening. Many of the women at our table told experiences of being stereotyped in department stores. Because they were not white, they could not walk in the store without eyes on them at all times. WTF!?
The best part of the discussion was talking about the different types of oppression and how they overlap. I am a woman; experienced sexism. I was lower class as a child; some opportunities were missed, but learned independence and hard work. I was not followed in a department store. No one has ever flinched from seeing me (someone said this happens to them, WTF!?). I ask questions when I please in class and my voice is heard.
I am so excited to see what the 3rd wave of feminism brings to our society. Every voice deserves to be heard. If you keep hearing your voice or those who 100% agree with you, it's time to sit down and listen or learn to facilitate conversations with those ignored.
In one of my classes, a professor has chosen to use the classroom as a political platform. At one point asking I and another student if we were "right, center, or left." Both of us answered left. Next the professor vocally assumed in front of the class we were both pro-choice (I am unsure of the other students position). This was one of many times, the professor explained her political view, voicing her "disappointment" in the Black Lives Matter movement and the Women's March following the inauguration. Keep in mind, this class I am speaking about is an introduction course for Social Work (one of the core values is about diversity and inclusion), and not political science. For the next ten minutes, the professor explained she thought abortion was murder and it was a sin. Of course, yesterday during class a superior professor performed a peer review...we might have a more inclusive professor next week.