Electric Lib

Women in Vermont

As this is very pertinent to the feminist unit we're doing in my interp class, I thought I'd include a link showing the recent report for the best and worst states for women. Vermont ranked number one overall, just adding proof for what a wonderful state this is. The feminist unit has been very interesting so far. I've always been interested in these types of issues, so it's been fun. And interesting point was made early on in the unit when the class came up with a definition of feminism that pretty much said that feminism was about women having the same respect, opportunities, etc. as men. Everyone in the class agreed with that. However, no one wanted to wanted to say they were feminists, which brought Mr. Arsenault to his next point that feminists are often thought of as men hating, manly, bra-less women. I thought it was good point.

So I've been enjoying all the stimulating conversations this unit has provoked, and the overall awareness of feminism as a good thing. However, it then feels rather hypocritical to go home and listen to all these songs that are like "I got 99 problems but a bitch aint one," or "girls: to do the dishes, to clean up my room, to do the laundry and in the bathroom." There are plenty of examples of songs that refer to women in that kind of degrading way. I'm sure there are plenty of songs that stereotype men as well, and I think for the most part people don't take those songs to be offensive, because they weren't meant that way. But then one also must wonder if having those terms (that should be offensive to women) becoming a regular thing that's not a big deal at all kind of undermines the respect that women have worked for. I believe I'll end my pondering here however, because I enjoy being a feminist and listening to hip hop. Posted by lib at November 20, 2004 12:58 PM