Theos-Talk Archives (July 1998 Message tt00114)

Annette wrote:

>I guess that because I have been a card carrying feminist until
>recently, I got to know and read about the sucesses more so than being
>dragged down by the publicized negative generalities.

Some feminists who still card-carry, like myself, are aware of the successes
that many, many women have achieved; however, there are some 'publicized
negative generalities' that are true.  You mentioned statistics can be
skewed - that is true, one can find an error in every statistic.
Unfortunately, many politicians and other law-makers tend to partially agree
with you here and, thus, ignore some select statistics.  One of those is the
statistic that single women with dependent children, on the average, are
poorer than men even with, as you said, "much aid." As a result, "much aid"
is becoming 'sparse aid' - medicare, food stamps, finanical aid, child care,
training programs - are all being cut here in the States.

>Also because I have always felt that whatever one wants, one can
>manifest, sprinkled liberally with a lot of effort and courage.

This statement reflects the "rugged individualism" theory worshipped in
America - or even the "karma" philosophy of many Theosophists.  If people
are poor, or uneducated, or unemployed - it is believed that somehow,
someway, they lack "effort and courage."  Some of the most courageous people
are poor - try living in a neighborhood infested with guns, gangs, and
enduring the death of one or more of your children due to such violence.
The efforts women must make to keep their families fed would put a Marine in
the grave - women hold down two or three jobs.  The courts and police are
overwhelmed with cases and pay little attention to a woman who reports that
the father of her children won't pay child support or returns periodically
to beat her until she bleeds.  Women make less than men do for the same
jobs.  Women and teenagers are the majority of minimum wage workers - try
supporting a family on a job that offers only minimum wage and no benefits.
Life for some women is so complicated and terrifying that for them to just
get out of bed in the morning makes them deserving of a medal.

A person cannot always have what he/she wants - no matter how hard they try.
Prejudice, racism, sexism, poverty, physical or mental handicaps, age, and a
billion other things stand in the way.  How one was raised and even
nourished as a child can hinder a person's future.

It is admirable, Annette, that you were able to achieve your goals.  But to
imply something like "If I can do it, anybody can" is being terribly unfair
to people who were born into different circumstances, different
opportunities, different environments, different support systems, and
different mental capabilities.



Kym