Feminists? Any here?

[shootingstar]

I like the opening quote, Grey.

Like badger I did own and looked after my own condo and had to get things done by hiring people. And after working in several workplaces that were predominantly male in terms of decision-making teams/powerbrokers/stakeholders, it served me well just to simply state in a polite way what I would like to do to solve a problem OR to make something better to benefit others also (take focus off me all the time) ..and keep at it. It does occasionally mean being abit more aware. It also means not getting too emotional particularily with strangers/distant acquaintances. Or even with our loved ones. Hard to hear above the cacaphony.

But as I said for myself feminism is inextricably touched with race relations. It still is on several different fronts but changed. Simple example: it is the dominant culture in North America that defines female beauty ideals. I still feel like old girl feminism from way back when black feminists and radicals were espousing "Black is beautiful" in '60's & '70's, in order for me ...to have accepted myself as I am. Which still means not dyeing my black hair, to blonde or red. Wonder how long I will resist the forces.

I also wonder how much guys worry/think about their own personal safety compared to women. If some women are afraid to cycle solo, walk alone at night, etc. because we will get assaulted, etc. It says volumes about a woman's perception of the world in general vs. men just on one's own daily personal bodily safety. We haven't progressed in this area...it could be argued there are just more technological tools for predators to do their thing.

"Forget it. Life treats you the way you let it."
Flower Children, c.1920

I just want to see equality. ...................

I used to become angry. Instead, now I just express clearly what it is I want from the start. I'm not a *itch, I actually make an effort to be firmly polite, but I do expect to be treated a certain way. If the car salesman wants to show me "safe cars" I say it's a shame they don't have what it is I want, and that I'll be moving on to the dealership next door. If a doctor wants to call my herniated disk a possible pregnancy, I leave (actually, I head it off now with "if you mention the p-word, I'm leaving"). And if a repairman wants to think I'm not worth talking to, I may throw in a pertinent observation to show that I'm present, if that doesn't change his perception, he simply isn't hired.

We can't change everybody. There are people who are the predjudiced pricks they are: such as the old man who suggested I must be a hoar one early morning while out walking a rescue dog (I was wearing my husband's sweatshirt, yoga pants and flip-flops, and the dog looked terrible). There are, and will always be, people whose minds will not change. The only thing you can do is ignore them.