Talking back; A child's view

Reaction 1 Chapter 1 1. Talking back As I read this section of chapter 1, I realized this was speaking of me. Not as a metaphor but literally. I vividly remember feeling so small and voiceless that I thought I would die inside. At times I honestly wish I had. You asked for comments, thoughts, concerns etc… So I wrote something that I feel will describe every opinion you were looking for, as well as personal input on this unfortunate situation. From within the walls of silence, a voice can not be heard. But the mind shall never be quieted. The sassy, sharp-toothed, spoke her mind, and dared to ever speak her piece to an adult, was at one time considered a young girls complete and utter defiance. She was the “quieted one”. She was not herself, she was obedient. She didn’t live, she just was. She didn’t voice an opinion, she was trained to be silent. Yet, when we are silent in the face of adversity or injustice (abuse, racism, crime, etc…), we lose apart of ourselves. Our souls and very reason for being. For these reasons, I will not be silenced again. I heard my whole life, “A woman should act like a lady“. But to what extent? Some of the issues women face in today’s society scream for an opposing force to take charge and regain control. Harm my children, and you’ll hear me roar. If you put your hands on me, you’d better brace yourself. If you make a racist remark that I have to explain to my children later on as to it’s negative effects, plan on a lecture, a loud one! Never tell me I can’t do something just because I’m a woman or mother. Better yet, I dare you to! I will not only do it, but will continue to do it until total perfection is achieved. I am not insolent, uncaring, abrasive, or abusive. I am just me. The child who existed but never lived. The one who watched her mother cower in fear instead of taking a stand. I’ve seen racism and abuse run rampant in my own home growing up. I as an adult, refuse to be silenced by this wretched society any longer than I was already forced to! I am not a loud, boisterous, or obnoxious woman. No thanks to the men who were in my life, I do know right from wrong, good from bad. I won’t be silenced by anyone on these matters. It isn’t worth losing my “self” to appeal to a closed-minded society. It isn’t worth the risk of losing my soul. I hope this fit’s the parameters you asked for. Thank you for this opportunity. It’s high time we stand as a unit of women instead of a single, silenced, little girl!

Are men happier than women

Although I laughed at some of implications of the article, I also caught myself asking if this is a true statement, not only for male society as a whole but individually as well. The men I know and have known in the past fall into both categories. I don't believe the statement "men are happier". I believe they are just more accepting and complacent of getting things done with as little turmoil and riffs as possible. It's like saying all men hate shopping. I know a few that will walk every mall and then search out a few more stores. As far as holding any truths, it's possible. But, if you stare at anything long enough, you're bound to see something you agree with. Stereotypes come in all shapes and sizes. Women hate it when men accuse them of it being "that time of the month" when she has the slightest bit of opposition in her voice. It isn't a matter of what's good for the goose is good for the gander. I know for a fact that women can not do everything a man can. I can NOT teach my boys to be men. I can teach them to be decent, good human beings. I personally do not know how it feels to be a man. Nor do I know how it feels to be a teenage boy in puberty. Is this because they have it easier than women? No! It's because they are who they are. It's nature vs. nurture. It's high time women realize that and quit moaning about how much easier men have it. After all, we don't need those 30 pairs of shoes. It's your choice. We choose our roles in this society. If you don't like the game, pick a new one! Albeit a fairly new way of seeing things in society, women's studies are a vital part of our world. We've had babies since the dawn of time. We clean the house, iron, dishes, make food, and shop for the food, laundry and the list goes on for miles. Yet, how often do we take the time to learn of the women in our pasts that made our way a little easier? We as women have been able to vote since 1920. Someone somewhere had to stand up for that right. What we as a capable, voting able, and speaking society of women need to realize is that, everything we have started somewhere. A small idea took us out of the kitchen and into the work force, demanding the same rights as men. We always had that right; unfortunately we listened to our ancestors and men surrounding us instead of our hearts and minds. Wake up women, we may not be able to do everything they can, but let's get off the soap box and finally make a difference. It starts here. Make your presence known to the world.

Homosexuality; Out of the closet and into the mainstream

Homosexuality Out of the Closet, Into the Mainstream July 2, 2006 I had the privilege of tagging along with my brother to Gay Pride Fest 06. He works for Bank of America and they were a part of the march. I had to go! I have always fit in with gay friends and family. Probably since I understand the feeling of being left out of something as important as “LIFE”. From the day I first met my step-cousin Brian, I knew he was gay. But it wasn’t something the family acknowledged. I knew, asked my mother and was told Brian was just different. To me he was cousin Brian who played his guitar so I could sing at family get togethers. I loved him very much and the only one he allowed to be close enough. I was 15 when Brian came out to me. He was 25 and I remember thinking how sad that he felt he had to keep that from his own family. According the site Homosexuality: out of the closet, into the mainstream, the highest court of Massachusetts ruled that it was unconstitutional for the state to bar same-sex couples from marrying. Massachusetts lawmakers were given 180 days to amend state laws to permit homosexuals to wed. Maybe we are moving towards some reform. To this day I still get an uneasy feeling any time I am at church with my mother. The pastor has this way of making everything into a homosexual revolt. He has this saying “ Eden started with Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. This is when I get up, make a huff and walk out making a point that Adam and Steve have just as much right as Adam and Eve. How shallow can you get? I have spoken out on this very topic many times and will always do so. Is it for my cousin? No, it’s for society to become more aware of their bias towards our fellow man and women. Yet, it still seems to me that we are living in the dark ages. Again, the government has taken the liberty to say who can and can’t be married as a part of a living society. That galls me to no end. It’s like telling a woman she can’t have an abortion. Same situation as far as I am concerned. We as a society, have taken the governments ways and allowed them for far too long. They claimed slavery was ok, society accepted. They attempt to take away a women’s right to her own body by saying she can or can’t have an abortion. They take away a gay couples right to be married and have the same benefits as a traditional married couple. And then turn around and tell the same gay couple they can’t adopt children to have a family of their own. Why? With all the children in this world who need homes with loving parents. I’d like to know where it says the child who needs a family says “ I don’t want a gay, loving, caring, supportive, financially set couple to take me into their home. Please leave me here in my own hell. I should think NOT! As I stated on one of the discussion questions, the heart doesn’t care about race, religion, sexuality or preferences. The heart wants unconditional love, period. Nothing else should matter. It especially shouldn’t be a matter at the hands of our government. After all, it doesn’t concern them in any way except for election time for the Christian hypocrites who claim to be of a loving god. Then turn around and judge the world based on words in a book. We as a society need to walk in another’s shoes and see, feel the shallowness of the ones who judge according to what a country as a whole calls normal. Define normal if you please.

The New Me

Everything is just great I tell you!!! Grades are in the upper 90's, Ashley started college, getting a new car, life's just peachy!!! Then why do I feel so awful sometimes. DJ and Zachary Taylor both need to go back to Cardiology, Andrew is vomiting again. And I think i lost a very dear friend. Other than that, things are great. Next month I'm hoping to take a trip with my daughter. Not sure yet but will be very interesting to say the least.:D I can hardly wait to see the "sights"!! AHHHHH spring in loverville giggles...Love you all