Inspiration came to me today from my inbox from my daily email update from the A.R.E
Think on This .... . peace must begin within self before there may be the activity or the application of self in such a manner as to bring peace in thy own household, in thine own heart, in thine own vicinity, in thine own state or nation. Edgar Cayce Reading 3976-28
As a follow up to the political changes and Rebecca Walker's comments, isn't this what we truly desire? Beautiful thoughts to start the day.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Choices and Hillary Rodham Clinton
As I mentioned in my last blog, I was discouraged Hillary Rodham Clinton would not be nominated as the Democratic Candidate for President. I heard some positive comments on NPR regarding how Hillary needs to decompress from the stress of the campaign and reflect on her experience.
I doubted it as I listened, but tried to be optimistic. Although I never believed I subscribed to blatant feminine gender bias, I understand how it could easily be viewed that way. My attempt to help girls and women see infinite possibilities and infinite choices could be misconstrued. I just want to emphasize that intelligence, wisdom, inner beauty and grace are incredibly more important than choosing the Britney Spears/Paris Hilton way to fame.
The same day my daughter sent me a link to Rebecca Walker's commentary Best woman for the job could be a man. Rebecca's perspective is truly honorable. Two lines stood out to me.
The first is: It is time to turn the page on myopic gender-based Feminism and concede that while patriarchy is real, so is female greed, dishonesty and corruptibility. It's time to empower the feminisms embodied by millions of women and men who care about everyone, including, but not limited to, women.
The second is: I spoke at Harvard a few years ago on the necessity of ending divisiveness and relying more on the human capacity for openness as a baseline for true progress. This position is necessary not only in feminist circles, but in the primal fight or flight mechanism of our own minds. Visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/06/walker/index.html?eref=rss_latest for more powerful and transformative thoughts.
Like Hillary or not, she has demonstrated what a strong woman can be. Many thought we would not hear much from Al Gore after he lost the election in 2000 and he proved them wrong. Now Hillary has infinite choices as to what she wants to do next. Ending divisiveness might just be on her agenda.
I doubted it as I listened, but tried to be optimistic. Although I never believed I subscribed to blatant feminine gender bias, I understand how it could easily be viewed that way. My attempt to help girls and women see infinite possibilities and infinite choices could be misconstrued. I just want to emphasize that intelligence, wisdom, inner beauty and grace are incredibly more important than choosing the Britney Spears/Paris Hilton way to fame.
The same day my daughter sent me a link to Rebecca Walker's commentary Best woman for the job could be a man. Rebecca's perspective is truly honorable. Two lines stood out to me.
The first is: It is time to turn the page on myopic gender-based Feminism and concede that while patriarchy is real, so is female greed, dishonesty and corruptibility. It's time to empower the feminisms embodied by millions of women and men who care about everyone, including, but not limited to, women.
The second is: I spoke at Harvard a few years ago on the necessity of ending divisiveness and relying more on the human capacity for openness as a baseline for true progress. This position is necessary not only in feminist circles, but in the primal fight or flight mechanism of our own minds. Visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/06/walker/index.html?eref=rss_latest for more powerful and transformative thoughts.
Like Hillary or not, she has demonstrated what a strong woman can be. Many thought we would not hear much from Al Gore after he lost the election in 2000 and he proved them wrong. Now Hillary has infinite choices as to what she wants to do next. Ending divisiveness might just be on her agenda.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Hung Up on Boom!
Remember the 1960's? I do. Traumatic events, war and great music. Three major networks on television offered a limited selection of broadcast opportunities. The pill was part of the change which meant more choices for women...it was just the beginning.
I lived through the 60s and the film clips of Woodstock, the Beatles, Martin Luther King are embedded in the minds of those born in the 70s, 80s and 90s, too. I believed I understood it.
Until I got hung up on Boom! Voices of the Sixties Personal Reflections on the 60s and Today by Tom Brokaw. Brokaw interviews the famous, infamous and not so famous about their life in the 60s. And, how much does the revolution of a generation impact us today?
Test your 60s knowledge on Brokaw's quiz yourself at http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/brokaw/. There are so many aspects of the 60s of which I was unaware, I believe this book should be required reading for all high school students. Yes, it is powerful and enlightening. Especially for young women.
The perspective of time helps us understand life better. In particular, as Hillary Rodham Clinton will not be the Democratic nominee for the Presidency and the first woman in that role, it is fascinating to realize just how far women have not come since the first time one heard of feminists. Feminism has never been a regular part of my vocabulary, I prefer to strive for equality for every individual.
However, women need to understand the incredible power they have to create their own lives. Not for the short term, but for a lifetime. This book can be the inspiration to help a new generation experience the idealism of the 60s from the perspective of our country in 2008. A country still at war, still seeking equality for individuals, and still without comforting answers to those who expected more revolutionary change.
How did we get here? Read Boom and find out. http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/brokaw/
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