You've got the wrong "-ism"

I’ve heard snippits of the speech Obama gave today; moreover however, I have read the speech. It is a good speech. It addresses all the things it should. I think it was well written, and from what I’ve seen it was well delivered. I think he is correct on many of the issues so I can’t really tell you why, but he just didn’t set my soul on fire. In fact, nothing this man has said has held a candle to his performance at the Democratic Convention 4 years ago.

I’m hit by one of the things his minister, Jeremiah Wright, said. He pointed out that Hillary has never been called a nigger. OK. He’s got a point. No one is going to argue with him on that. But I doubt that anyone has ever called Obama a cunt, either. Hillary has been called a cunt. I know this, without a doubt. COUNTLESS people in this country, and probably even abroad, have called Hillary a cunt. I don’t know about you, but in my opinion that is the most horrible thing you can call a woman. It doesn’t get any worse than that. That is the lowest of the low. I have talked this over with numerous friends, both male and female, and we all agree. There are appropriate times for almost every other word that could possibly insult a woman; but not cunt. Without exception, if you are called a cunt you are being insulted.

As far as I’m concerned the country - at least a big part of it - has it all wrong. Race is not the main problem here. There is a far worse hatred tearing this country apart. Its sexism. There is far more sexism in this country than racism. If not, then how did this country abolish slavery, demand equal access and education for all races, but not pass the ERA? How can it be that when a woman is murdered it is almost always by her husband or boyfriend? How did the government get away with testing drugs on men only - even breast cancer drugs - until a little over a decade ago? Is the answer because for a long time its been mostly men in charge, mostly men making the decisions? Men design cars; consequently I’ve never really been comfortable driving a car. I’m short, petite, and I usually have to use a pillow behind my back to drive the car correctly. Men design houses; I can never reach the top or back of the shelf in the kitchens. Things just aren’t made for women. These are just a few examples.

I know this opens up a huge can of worms. And I’m sure it sounds like I hate men. I don’t. But I do resent the fact that half of the population wasn’t taken into consideration when things were being designed. Wouldn’t you? Think about it for a moment. I resent that those in power (read as: men) don’t take sexism more seriously when women’s lives literally hang in the balance. When women live on food and shelter subsidies because they can’t feed their children and their husbands (that are long gone) aren’t forced to continue to pay child support and alimony, I resent that no one seems to take situations like that seriously. I resent men making decisions about what women should do with their bodies when men can’t have babies, men hardly ever seem to want the responsibility for babies, and have no idea what it takes to truly care for a baby. When you guys are faced with a pregnancy that is unplanned and you realize the ramifications and consequences of that - come talk to me. Until then, you have no right to share your opinion. It is between me, my maker, and my doctor. Butt out.

Sexism is so engrained in our society that we barely even notice it. All the political correctness in the world isn’t going to fix it. We have to rethink EVERYTHING. One woman president isn’t going to touch the problem, but its a start. And its about time.