Sunday 1 November 2009

ms understood


We went to see this exhibition at the women's library. It was really interesting, while a little static in its presentation; the conversation that came out of the museum was worth it. Some of our group remembered the Grunswick and Gate Gourmet dispute on a personal level, some had lobbied alongside the union, some remembered relatives marching in protest. The exhibition has an array of fantastic articles, facts, opinions and criticism about all manner of female issues.
While a feminist, im not sure about male bashing eg ' when god made man, she made a mistake' ideology, nonetheless females have through history been persecuted. I recently learned about the psychoanalysis of the female vs queer theory; to be clear I was interested in that age old debate, the glass ceiling and whether women should be have a career or have a family. The discussion was about why women have to adhere to patriarchal rules of society, but instead, why does the patriarchal society not change and move in order to accommodate the females biological reproductive need?

Im not sure if I know enough about any of the above debate, I would like to, it fascinates me. Im blessed to be living in a world where men and women are said to be equal, all the history, all the wars that have been fought and won for me and other women- but what Im faced with in reality confuses me. Working with young people in an environment which was predominantly white male, i see females (colleagues and young people) who are not seen equal to men on so many levels; culturally, professionally, traditionally and witnessing social interaction and professional values...We live with it everyday, its sub conscious. but I must stop remember how it used to be and be grateful that the world is changing-in some places more than others, and it is up to people who are morally and politically grounded to keep at it. I think.

roopa


2 comments:

Jigna said...

I am so excited you have posted a new blog, Go Roopa! And I am also so interested to see you that you guys went to this exhibition, I read about it somewhere and meant to tell you all to go, I am not sure if I did or not, but anyway great to see you did go along!

Also something very relevant to me at the moment, I notice that one of the key demands of the first National Women’s Liberation Conference was:

Free contraception and abortion on demand.

This was in the 1970's. From my own personal experience at home I never felt like the above was an issue for me. But here in Dallas, it is a whole different story.

I don't quite know what the point of this experience is, other than to agree with you Roopa that whilst major battles have been won, there are many more battles to be fought.

Jigna said...

Here is where I read about it:

http://www.pickledpolitics.com/archives/6098

Great job Roopa!