Please look them over and see how you can add or reword it.
********************************************************************
Equal Rights is the right of every person by absolute and personal right, without subject of another, to receive in kind the same amount, size, number or value of what is given to others in a comparable place, so that there may be an impartial and tranquil state of mind where all can meet and be capable of completing a task or resolving a situation.
********************************************************************
Equal pay for equal work.
Freedom from stereotyping and bigotry.
Equal stature in society.
ALL the rights granted the law (which includes the Constitution and the rights guaranteed abortion/reproductive rights).
Equal Opportunities for work.
Equal access to knowledge.
Equal expectations of performance standards.
Equal access to health: doctors, emergency room status, etc.
Equal expectation of safety on the street and in the workplace.
Equal expectations of non-discrimation and harrassment in the workplace.
Equal opportunity for medical leave upon a birth of a child.
Equal opportunity to leave upon the birth or adoption of a child in order to prepare for a family adjustment.
Equal time off for arranging care of a spouse, child, or parent with a critical or degenerative health condition.
Equal opportunity to be considered for alternate or associate jobs when unable to perform current position due to health or other immediate problem.
Equal access to all property and moneys, excluding when having chosen prenuptial agreements, after marriage and until frozen by a legal authority for the purpose of divorce.
Equal opportunity to resolve grievances with employers before resorting to legal assistance by a guarantee that there will be an objective counsel within the
workplace to make problems heard and handled.
Equal opportunity for additional work, overtime pay, work privileges and fringe benefits.
Equal right to have a daycare on the premises of any white collar and any other feasible career where the parent may be able to spend a lunch or break time with their child.
Equal opportunity for unmarried parents in the workplace.
--Linda
As always.
Your devoted sister.
Linda T
Well, actually, Marion, I was hoping to get the feedback here. I suppose if you take it to another group you can let us know what they thought. However, I would like some more feedback on this.
Thanks. --Linda
I don't know. But I imagine that there are loads of people necessary to put in the data on such things. It does seem odd though that they don't have some. I guess that since we're all so difficult to get along with that they'd get a lot of guff about their choices.
Don't let it get to you.
Tell you what. I'll give it a shot just to see what happens. --Linda
Just googled and I got 2,020,000 hits. That doesn't mean they're good hits, but that's what I got. It started with a quote site GIGA that is supposed to have a lot about equal rights.
I also tried it by putting 'QUOTES EQUAL RIGHTS'. That led to 2,030,000 that started with a Thomas Jefferson quote as an example from thinkexist.com.
I don't know why you didn't get anything. Sometimes I mistype something. There's a pop-up at the top that comes up and asks if I meant something else. It's really annoying if I didn't, but sometimes it's helpful.
I admire these people. I mean somebody has to type this stuff in. Can you imagine? Yikes. Gives me a headache.
Better luck on your research. --Linda
And some want to reverse the double-standard, rather than destroy it. What surprises me the most is these womens' unwillingness to allow men to assume traditional female roles and responsibilities at the same time the women are demanding to be allowed to assume traditional male roles and responsibilities.
Just my two cents, of course. You'll probably hear plenty of disenting opinions.
All right. Let's look at this. "Women will then have to take on equal responsibility."
I'm offended by the language, but let's see if I can get the point across before I start ranting.
To be of equal stature means that whoever stays at home is still considered equal in the eyes of the law. Under this reasoning, you could be responsible for your children and nurture your parents in later life and still have the rights to your husband's pension. This doesn't happen in most cases.
This means that you could have the right to choose whether you are a single mother in a corporate job and still expect to have your job when the boss decides that having married couples without children is better for the company image.
There are tons of things that come from this. But even if you don't get equal rights, you will always have equal responsibility. If you are alive and involved in life, you will have to find a way to feed, clothe, shelter yourself and care for whoever and whatever is most important to you.
The chord is not harmonious. It is this. By stating that you have equal rights, you are not expecting equal responsibility. Women and and other minorities already do more work at home and in the work place than most men. They just don't get the recognition or financial rewards. And those who stay at home get neither nor even a portion of either.
What you have is fear. And the fear is that "I have already agreed to more than I can reasonably do. What will this do to me now?"
The fear to act comes from a genuine fear that we will be inadequate to the task.
We won't.
We have already chosen our paths and blazed our trails and are working our way through the brambles to find the missing places of life. It would just make it a little (or a lot) easier if we could work it out together. --Linda
I know that when I was growing up, I am now 58, so that gives you some idea of the time frame; I was not encouraged to either take physical risks and accept the bruises and such that go with that, I was told I was fragile, so I grew up afraid of physical pain and the toughness that grows out of that! I was also trained to think that I was too sensitive to deal with the ego and emotional risks that go with competitive risk taking and the negative feedback that often accompanies this from team members, etc.!
As to how this relates to taking responsiblity, I think that these type of things inhibited my willingness to do things that I might fail at and to accept the responsibility for reaching for the stars and failing to get there!
While some things have changed a bit since then, I think it still is a factor in our feminine culture!
blessings, birdsong
Apologies to Linda. I'm sorry you were offended by my post. It wasn't my intention to upset you or even disagree with you. And, yes, fear is a factor for many.
Maybe this is more a matter of perspective and social surroundings. I was raised in a rural community in NW Kansas. My grandparents were tennent farmers and there was never any doubt that my grandmother worked as hard and shouldered as much responsibility as my grandfather did. My own mother always worked outside the home and shouldered the full responsibility for her children after she and my father divorced. I fully understand the contributions that women have always made to our society in both traditional and non-traditional roles.
But now I live in a very different society from that farming community. San Antonio, TX is a city of over a million people. 60% of the population is hispanic. The majority of residents are Catholic. There are four major military installations in this city. These are all very conservative, traditionally patriarical societal influences. Women here have a different outlook, and express those differences. My previous post was meant to reflect and communicate the things that I have heard and experienced while living here.
Not all women think alike or come to the same conclusions at the same points in our lives. We have to listen and try to understand their points of view as well. Sometimes it feels as if I'm looking back on another era, instead of just another part of America.
I am not at all offended by your posts. I said, and still say, I was offended by the language. By accepting the phrase, "We will then have to accept the responsibility", it's like saying that we don't have any responsibility now.
How do I explain????
All my life I have lived in Kansas. I'm sorry if this seems to be a cultural thing, but I fought it here. If I worked outside of the home then I must not have been a responsible mother because my children would have to go to a day care. If I worked outside of the home, I must not be a responsible provider because my children would have to do without so many things.
People are appalled that we didn't put my oldest through college. My family asks me when I'm going to go to work so my daughter, who has very good teeth, can get braces.
We are criticized and told we need things that are basic luxuries. I'm not saying college is a luxury. But my son wasn't ready for it. I started him with the money that I had and he left of his own choosing. I respect his choices. He is doing well enough for what he wants in his life right now.
But when my daughter gets to be his age, she will find that the pressures are different. If she is not in college, she will be looked on as not being good enough to marry into families of people with money and she will have problems finding financial aid for college that would get her a well-paying job because minority men are financed first. Automatically, because she is female, her options become limited.
Money isn't everything, but it can get in the way when you don't have it as well as when you do.
Don't tell me that I don't take risks as a mother. I threw myself in front of a car to keep my 2 year old from being hit. They are unbelievably fast at that age, and I'm not talking about the cars.
Children and keeping a household can be very rewarding, but it's hardly recognized in our society. I have an extended family of farmers and it is always expected that the woman will do the books for the farm without pay and keep the household running as well as feed the men who come to help with harvest. Until I was in my teens, farmers only expected to make enough money to rent a place, get used equipment, raise a family and retire to a small house or apartment in the city. It was never a good living, but it was a life's work
Now people from the city come and buy the land and work in the city and a lot of the land is sold for more houses and the land is rented to corporations that could care less whether the land is treated properly. They're out to make a buck.
My father had difficulty convincing the family that he would never be a good farmer. But eventually he broke away and he did well. But my mother wanted to work outside the home and it nearly ended their marriage back then. Now my father speaks with pride about how she became a career woman.
Women I know here fit all the stereotypes. And there are times that I feel fine in my role. But the issue isn't whether the roles can be played. The issue is whether people should have the choice to find other roles that would suit them better, whether a man stays at home with the children or a woman drives the tractor or wears the suit at the office.
The thing I find so maddening about all of this is that we are so conditioned to get along and do the right thing and not cause waves or doubts that everybody loses.
I understand the joy of having a culture to share with your children and the sadness in seeing your family decide it isn't worth it and choosing to move away. These decisions to change everything based on money are just as dividing as the old ways. But they are almost always made by the person making money outside of the home. And in most of our cultures that is the man. Where your home is becomes the power given to the man, the one who makes the money.
I'm happy for your satisfaction with your life where you are. But others need more flexibility to find satisfaction. And some of us need to find a way to get people to accept that we can do what is not traditionally been done by people who have similarities to us. Should I just shun my friend that is a single mother because now she can barely get by? How do I face my friend that is an elderly widow that can collect only a fraction of her husband's pension? I can't afford to keep giving people money because they can't afford medicine when I can barely afford my own.
When I was in college a man told me that I couldn't be his assistant because I didn't have brown eyes. I was 17. I was heartbroken. And I didn't have the knowledge, the power or the understanding to question what seemed to be a totally bizarre comment if not a complete lie. When will we be willing to stand up for those who have that knowledge, need that power and the ability to understand how to question the peculiarities of life?
How about when the landlady told me that she'd found out I was a musician and I couldn't keep my apartment because I wasn't going to be home enough?
When do I get to be equal?
I look at all the things I have been and have endured in my life and how they were affected by the simple fact of my roles, and I question if it is really necessary for these things to continue happening. Do people have the right to be bigots and play favorites based on what you look like or what they want to think about you? Do I really want a world like that?
Are you so willing to leave this world as it is for your children? --Linda
I may be able to speak out. That doesn't mean I can get anyone to listen.
I may feel safe enough to talk to drunks on the street, but still not be able to feel comfortable where people can determine whether or not I, or other people, will be able to pay the rent or buy groceries based on whether we're male or female.
It is easy for women to think of themselves as not being better than anyone in a more difficult place in life. The hard thing we have is accepting and behaving as though we are capable and deserving of being treated as though we were just as good as those who have better situations than ours.
I find it difficult sometimes to speak up to a doctor that treats me as though I don't have the right to recognize that my body is in pain. How can I expect you to listen to me when I say that it is common for women to feel that no matter what the situation is we look to the men for how we should feel, act, and think?
If we are going to break out of the patterns of our society and behave as if we deserve to be treated with understanding and respect on our own without the buffer of men, we have to be willing to stop using standard phrases to keep us in our comfort zones.
God make consider us equal. But God isn't intervening to make sure you act on your own behalf or the others he allows you to see. He has given you the ability to speak up for them as well as yourself. Can you keep other women down in poverty and without health insurance or help while you thank God that it isn't you?
I can't. --Linda
It's sad but this is the same thing that I am facing too in Singapore. Being a Malaysian woman living in Singapore. I sometimes do feel that we are not given the same rights too. There have been many incidents that just because I am a foreign woman, I am not treated well or looked down upon. They sometimes think that we are stupid and that we should not be rewarded with the apropriate wages. We get less benefits, over load of works and under pay.
I don't know if other women in this part of the world is facing the same issues. So how do we define equal rights?
I don't know, Liyana. But I hope you will stay with us and offer your opinions as we try to work it out. Sometimes it's hard for me to avoid frustration when people have decided that what they have has to be enough when others can't get by. I just think we can do so much better. I think we must.
Sometimes it is difficult to speak up for yourself in a place where you are not comfortable. Is there someone you trust where you are that could help you get through the more awkward tasks of getting around and standing up for you when you don't understand what is required or even what is happening?
If you are having this problem at work because of accent or language problems, you might consider asking a superior if you could work with someone to get more familiar with the language that is most common in the office.
There are women here who have experienced similar problems. We don't always feel in control or know what to do or how to act.
Singapore's history includes a time period in which they took women from Malaysia for slaves. Those who live in Singapore now may who even have come from Malaysia through their ancestors and tend to look at themselves as superior because they crossed over first and worked their way up. And those who were ancestors of those who took captives have a belief that they were conquerors by right.
They may not even be aware of the attitudes which always interests me. But then, you have to act as if you expect their respect and deserve it. And feeling overwhelmed makes that hard.
Trust yourself. Hold your head up. Meet their eyes. And remember that women that were your ancestors from Malaysia considered themselves equal. They all owned land. And they were leaders in science, religion, philosophy and sociology. They have earned the respect of the world.
You deserve the respect of your employers. --Linda
Hi! Linda...
Thanks for your kind words, am glad that there are still strong women in the world like you. Who will stand up tall to such people. Women like you makes me feel great being born as one. You make the difference not to accept the injustice that is done towards you.
I have infact stand up for my rights, recently the head of my branch decided not to confirmed me after all the good work that I have done for the school. It was my confirmation day and everyone was surprised that I was not confirmed as I was hurt in the line of work, while triyng to restrain a violent child in the morning. As she realise that I have hurt my back, she came out with excuses not to confirmed me. So that the school will not have to pay for my medical and wages for the day that am not working.
Since I was not able to work, as I was in lots of pain. I put in a letter of resignation by giving them a 2 weeks notice. The following day upon my return to school, they ask me to pack and leave since I am not in a position to work. It was not out of compasion but of refusal to pay me anymore wages, as am now a libility to the school.
After seeking medical help, I was informed by the orthopaedic surgeon that I am having a slip-disc. I informed the owner of my school regarding my injuries but he refused to provide any asistance. In fact I was given a good toungue lashing by him. I have decided to put up a case with the ministry regarding their actions, to claim what is rightfully mine. I begin to realised that, in order for a person to have their rights, I agree that you have to work hard for it but not accepting the bad things that is serve to you. - Liyana
Quite a few people I have talked to from all over the world have similar stories to yours. And while that may not be exactly comforting, it does help that these people can share what they have experienced.
I was unable to find anyone with the same problem specifically from Singapore. However, others have told me that there are options there. Depending on how long you have been in Singapore you may be able to use a service there called AXA Singapore in which they provide financial assistance to those injured in Singapore who have not yet earned resident status.
I also heard from another lady who says that there are international lawyers that provide free help to those who are unemployed unfairly and especially in need of medical help. I didn't get a specific contact there, but I will keep trying.
If your supervisor that let you go the same day that you gave your resignation is not the top authority, consider letting her superiors know that you have not been given your last wages or your rights to medical assistance due to an injury on the job. It is possible even in Singapore to sue for financial losses due to these circumstances. (Sorry if that sounded wrong. I still think in terms of America and how many places handle things differently.)
If you have any witnesses to the child that was violent and caused the injury, take their names and ask for the lawyer to talk to them about what they saw. The situation may hold the school responsible for lack of action before you were forced to act.
One of the interesting things I found when I went through the internet was that this is not the first time in recent months that this was reported. I guess the influx of so many coming for help from the tsunami and the earthquakes has put a lot of stress in your area. It may be that there will be others who need this kind of help or that are looking to have lawyers represent them in the same kind of action.
This is a lot to do when you feel well let alone when you are in pain and suffering from aggravation. Do what you can on the phone and enlist a friend to do the first of the footwork so that you only have to deal with the major problems.
You never mentioned when you came to Singapore and it occurred to me that perhaps you were one of the ones displaced by the disasters. If you are, there are several programs in place to try and help those who are adjusting. I doubt that they would qualify in this situation, but they might be good leads to someplace that would.
And by all means, let us know how it goes for you. I'll be waiting anxiously. --Linda
Hi! Linda,
Thanks for your help, I just received news that the goverment is going to investigate the issues that am facing. They have arrange for a meeting between the owner and me at the Ministry of Manpower Office on the 5th of May. If we can resolved the issues after two meetings (Great), if we are unable to resolved it. They will take the case up to the Labour Court. It will take months to set the date for trial and very costly.
I am just trying to solve the issues without any cost, as Lawyers here are expensive.
Hi! Linda,
Thanks for your help, I just received news that the goverment is going to investigate the issues that am facing. They have arrange for a meeting between the owner and me at the Ministry of Manpower Office on the 5th of May. If we can resolved the issues after two meetings (Great), if we are unable to resolved it. They will take the case up to the Labour Court. It will take months to set the date for trial and very costly.
I am just trying to solve the issues without any cost, as Lawyers here are expensive.
Good luck, Liyana. Keep a good thought. I know it is hard to stay optimistic when you have to stand up for yourself and deal with authority figures on all sides, but you can do it. I'll be rooting for you. --Linda
100% with you.I've beenfollowing with demands in Iran, the most recent put up by the NCRI for future iran:Just lisen to this:can you imagine where we stand?
Plan for Freedoms and Rights of Iranian Women
Adopted: April 1987 By the National Council of reisitance of Iran
As with other council ratifications for the post-Khomeini era the declaration specifies the future Provisional Government's plan of action regarding the rights and liberties of women. The articles of the declaration are as follows:
1- The right to elect and be elected in all elections, and the right to suffrage in all referendums.
2- The right to employment and free selection of profession, and the right to hold any public or government position, office of profession, including the presidency or judgeship in all judicial institutions.
3- The right to free political and social activity, social intercourse and travel without the permission of another person.
4- The right to freely choose clothing and covering.
5- The right to use, without discrimination, all instructional, educational, athletic, and artistic resources; and the right to participate in all athletic competitions and artistic activities.
6- Recognition of women's associations and support for their voluptuary formation throughout the country; consideration of special privileges in various social, administrative, cultural, and particularly educational fields in order to abolish inequality and the dual oppression of women.
7- Equal pay for equal work; prohibition of discrimination in hiring and during employment; equal access to various privileges such as vacations, retirement benefits, and disability compensations; enjoyment of child and marital benefits and unemployment insurance; the right to salary and special accommodations during pregnancy, childbirth, and care of infants.
8- Absolute freedom in choice of spouse and marriage, which can take place only with the attainment of legal age is prohibited; in family life, any form of compulsion or coercion of the wife is prohibited.
9- Equal right to divorce; divorce must be processed by a qualified judicial court; women and men are equal in presenting grounds for divorce; child custody and support as well as financial settlements will be determined by the verdict for divorce.
10- Support for widowed and divorced women and for children in their custody; care will be provided through the National Social Welfare System.
11- Elimination of legal inequalities with regard to testimony, guardianship, custody and inheritance.
12- Polygamy is prohibited; under special circumstances, the law would specify the appropriate arrangements.
13- Prohibition of all forms of sexual exploitation of women on any pretext, and abrogation of all customs, laws, and provisions authorizing the father, mother, parent, guardian, or another to bestow a girl or a woman, on the pretext of marriage or other, for sexual gratification or exploitation.
The above declaration was unanimously ratified and signed on April 17, 1987, by all member-organizations and personalities of the National Council of Resistance.
What do you think?
Hi. I read the statement on the top of the thread and have this to say. I am proud to be a woman. Proud to have been givin the opprotunity to have chidren. Proud to be in a country where we have as many rights as we have. Proud to be able to have a forum like this one with out being persicuted. With that said, we do derserve equal treatment. I think the biggest mistake made by men is SPECIAL treatment. Being treated as if I am a porcilin doll. Being treated like I am a child who needs help tieing my shoes. I am an independant woman, and a stay at home mother and wife. Both can be accomplished. I hate the fact that it is assumed that I stay at home because I had no options. Part of a womans right is choosing to stay home. Even other woman look at me like I am letting them down, like I am another 1950's housewife. I think that while we need equality from men, we also need it from women.
Hi Linda, read it for yourself and see and FEEL what applies to YOU and others even in the US and OH Canada where a precedent case was just won using these Human RightsUniversal Declaration of Human Rights Saturday, 12:33 PM
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
You may be shocked to read this as I was today, haven't been able to read it all yet and to think in countires such as Canada where I am and the US they are trampled on. Recently court case here made precident by using these in COURT, the plaintef won the JUDGE APPALLED By THE DISREGARD FOR HUman RIGHTS AND AGAINST BIG COMPANY - HONDA - RE CFS, well will try to post, copy and pasting easier than typing.
God Bless
Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
click link FOR WHOLE VERSION. Host may want to consider RED PIN THIS SO STAYS AT TOP OF FOLDERS/THREADS
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(other language versions)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE [
send green star]
Punitive damages on top of 2 years salary.
Honda Canada Inc. was criticized for firing an employee with ME/CFS and given the stiffest penalty ever set in an employment case in Canada.
An Ontario Court has sharply criticized Honda Canada Inc. for firing an employee with ME/CFS and has slapped the company with the stiffest penalty ever imposed in an employment case in Canada.
"Honda's misconduct was planned and deliberate and formed a protracted corporate conspiracy against" Kevin Keays, Mr. Justice John McIsaac of the Ontario Superior Court said in the recent ruling.
The Judge called the company's conduct outrageous and said its actions "should make the blood boil of any right-thinking individual."
"All Mr. Keays was seeking from Honda was a reasonable accommodation for his disability, and, in the result, he was terminated," the Judge ruled. "His condition was incompatible with the 'lean' and efficient operation demanded by Honda's corporate policy. The computer-managed workplace 'trumped' his human right."
Judge McIsaac awarded Mr. Keays two years salary and $500,000 in punitive damages. "This is the highest damages ever in Canada in an employment law case," said Hugh Scher, a Toronto lawyer who represented Mr. Keays. He said punitive damages are rare in employment cases, and seldom top $25,000.
Honda spokesman Jim Miller said the decision will be appealed. He declined further comment.
Mr. Scher said the decision will have implications for other Canadians who suffer from ME/CFS. The illness should "not be given short shrift." He said.
Judge McIsaac said Mr. Keays was a victim of harassment and discrimination by Honda and the company should have recognized his illness as a disability.
"Just because Mr. Keays did not carry a white case, use a hearing aid, or get around in a wheelchair did not make him any less deserving of workplace recognition of his debilitating condition," the Judge said. "Despite his many years of affliction, he continually had to "earn" any accommodation reluctantly granted by Honda. This ignores the fundamental principle of human rights law that accommodation is a right, not an indulgence granted by one's employer or, worse yet, an act of charity."
Mr. Keays, 38, had worked at Honda for 14 years when the company fired him in March 2000. He was among the first workers hired at Honda's assembly plant in Alliston, Ontario which opened in 1988. The Judge said he was a model employee and team leader in the quality engineering department.
Within a few years of joining the company, Mr. Keays started having bouts of drowsiness, which forced him to miss work. He was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome in 1996, and went on and off disability insurance for two years. The Judge said those benefits were wrongfully terminated by the insurer in 1998, and Mr. Keays returned to the plant full time.
He began missing days of work again and fell asleep at his work station, the Judge said. Mr. Keays tried to work out an accommodation with Honda but it "stonewalled: his efforts and referred him to two doctors who suggested there was nothing wrong with him. He was fired in March 2000.
"I have no difficulty in finding that the plaintiff has proved that Honda committed a litany of acts of discrimination and harassment in relation to his attempts to resolve his accommodation difficulties," the Judge said. "
[GloBe & Mail newspaper - April 7, 2005]
Lydia E Neilson M.S.M.
President/CEO
National ME/FM Action Network
I think that is awesome. It will be a hard thing to get going in the culture. There are so many things that are difficult to consider. But that is an incredible start. Absolutely C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! --Linda
Thanks for the feedback. I would like to say one thing. While many people think that if we do not accept the role of being "porcelain dolls", we will become unisex, I think that it is not a question of dominance but of courtesy.
The one I hear most often is opening the door. As far as I'm concerned, if you are the first to get to the door you can open it and hold it for the one close behind. If you wait, then you must have a need. If you are elderly and can't manage it, just wait. If you are unnerved by doors, just wait. Ask someone to please hold the door. Most people will be happy to if you bring it to their attention that you need it.
There are many things that we expect from men and take for granted. If someone does something for you, say thank you. I personally can not manage packages over 10 pounds anymore. I'm working on strength training, but my doctor isn't optimistic. If a man offers to get the dog food in the car, I'm not going to argue. I let him help and say thank you. I'd do the same for him if I was capable and I have done that in the past when I was.
For me, the question becomes one of dealing with people who want to give you limits because they think that they know better than you do what you are capable of because you are a woman or even some other category that they can assess. I will never let anyone tell me what I can't do. If I did, I would still be in the hospital in a wheelchair instead of walking around and grumbling about the weather. --Linda
I looked over the declaration carefully. I think that it is a noble attempt and if used properly will be a powerful document for change.
However, the wording bothers me and would be possible to use against people in certain situations if it was used improperly.
Article 1: Although I could be slapped down for saying so, reason and conscience are not the only motivators and activators of brotherhood. And the use of the word denies many people the right to think in terms of heritage and personal concern that would not fit into the rational ways of thought associated with brotherhood.
Throughout this document is the standard use of "him". While that is not disturbing in terms of typical use, it can be misused when applied to a woman.
The first ones to come to mind are Article 12 that proclaims no one will interfere with HIS family. We have many families that are headed by single women. And there is a lot of interference when things aren't running smoothly. I would not want to see this used as an excuse around proper treatment of all families.
Article 17: In many cultures the property is assumed to be the man's as soon as a couple marries. This article could interfere with a woman's right to reclaim family property or insist on proper recompense for the man claiming it as his own.
In Article 23 There are many women all over the world who are starting their own companies. I would not want to see men interfere with their ability to get into free trade on the basis that they are not men. This is not overreaction. This is already being done.
Article 25
On a shallow level it sounds appealing. It almost makes up for the no interference blunder. However, this is just as bigoted towards men as to women. Men who are raising children have special needs. The assumption that they must be taken from the man and given to a government service or family that includes a woman is not really fair. Situations need to be judged on an individual basis with the best interests of the children in mind.
Article 26 is one we've had for a long time that always makes me laugh.
You have the RIGHT. It's going to be FREE. So we're going to MAKE YOU DO IT. As for "generally available" and "on the basis of merit" I am only concerned by who would make the decisions and if "merit" is translated as "money".
Also 26: Frankly, I'm glad that we haven't followed this as closely as it seems would be a good idea on the surface. When I was teaching, I ran across the worst case of bigotry I had ever known. A little girl in first grade could not go through a day without calling a classmate names. She justified her behavior as what she had learned at home. And when we confronted the parents, the father was so abusive that I wanted to go home and shower for three days. No child should be able to abuse another on the basis of what their parents believe is proper to learn particularly in how to treat other people.
Article 29.
I was concerned as I read through the first two that this would also turn into compulsory duty. And given that education is compulsory, it could be that it will not be a question of choice but expectation. But I can't disagree that as long as the people's personal needs are not overlooked, the need to be needed is a strong motivator and teaching people how to make themselves a vital part of the community wouldn't be a bad thing. The only thing that I could object to at this point would be that the expectation would be so obvious that any desire to back away would be considered an act of rebellion and in some cultures, a reason to punish. So we would go full circle and find ourselves back at the beginning articles trying to get the person secure and given the right to choose.
Thank you for calling this to my attention. I had heard of it, but I hadn't yet found a copy. I know that my assessments may seem trivial to some. But if you consider the number of cultures that the U.N. contains, it is important to realize that your own culture is not the only one that will interpret it. --Linda
Peace Hope & Love
Mag
In the last million years, Humanty has had a small, unexpected, problem, since we invented words.
Words can direct our eyes to things that exist in Reality. Things that are the SAME when viewed from every planet and every galaxy by every form of life, reguardless of the number of eyes, number of hands or legs, they have.
And Mere Words can also Lie.
Because we use words to teach new born children and becuase new born children can not tell the difference between the words reflecting Reality and the words that are lies.. therefore the ''War of mere words'', between our ancient tribes, has continued to consume and destroy our Reality. And the Life that is so RARE in our universe.
Whatever the truth is, it is the same for every living thing that has ever existed on earth. Our Existence can be destroyed by words, but it was not and could not be created by them.
We each have a reponsibility to teach only Truth.
We each have a responsibility to learn only Truth.
Truth is always the same and equal.
We have an Equal Right to Truth.
The only enemy of Humans are the Words that are lies.
http://www.enabling.org/Journey_of_Life/One_Beginning/TheHumanExperiment.html
Hello, I agree that women deserve equal rights. We all have basic human rights and it is time to start to expand on these.
I happen to work in nursing and it is a primarily female based field. However, if a women works in an office (say she's an accountant), does the same work, same hours, ect. naturally she deserves the same pay and other rights that come with it.
Also, yes, responsibility? If a women expects to be paid equally, they must do the same work. Right now as it is, men do primarily make more money than women doing the same work.
I believe that in this day and age, more women are willing to stand up for thier rights than ever before. Gone are the days of men being the "bread winner" and women cooking, cleaning and bringing babies into the world.
I think the list was good. But, I think equal rights applies to all things. Not just the workplace. And, not just women. Sure the focus is women, but what about disabled people, immigrants, ect. They deserve the same rights as anyone else.
As a women myself, I feel I can go out there and do a job as well as any man I know, and I am not afraid to try. So, the only way for us to gain rights, is to be strong, have conviction, get off our arses and get out there.
But, we also need to fight for everyone else to. I have a friend who could not get work because of a disibility, she fought and lost, but atleast she fought.
What do we have to fear? Failure? If we fail, we get up and keep going. Tomarrow is always a new day.
I encourage every women here, to stand up, stretch out, and get a move on. And, every man, support women who are willing to do it. We need to make tomarrow every person's day to walk into a world with rights and to be proud to be alive in this world.
I hope I didn't offend anyone, just my opinion. I see so many people discouraged lately. Stay strong and know that together, we can make a difference.
Linda,
When I was a teacher, I always told my kids, "Fairness is not everyone getting the same thing. Fairness is everyone getting what they need." Even the kids could understand that.
But if you're serious about going into detail, send me an intro and I'll be glad to edit for you when you're ready.
~Rachel
How about
Equal rights for hispanic women that DO NOT have to be oppressed by the stereotypical BS that is given by women like Jennifer Lopez.
Equal rights for the poor women that do not know that they can stand up to themselves despite what their culture tells them
how about that?
what a lovely basis to start off from for women? to be blamed from the start?
so much guilt is always pushed on,mothers, daughters, to feel guilty for this, to feel guilty for that, to want to grow, or to want something for themselves. and you shouldnt feel guilty.
i speak as a human being first, a man second. trust your instincts as women.
The world will not fall apart if women are treated equal.
There is a story about the Americans going to Africa to determine how to end a farmer's starvation as an example of how we could help the situation there. The person observed and gathered the information together and decided what was needed was a tractor. He took the tractor over and the farmer just shook his head. After an interpreter was found, he informed the American that the farmer had tried to tell him that all he needed was another ox.
You can't give people what they aren't ready for even if it seems logical to you. And that includes even if it would be better for both of you. The observer knew nothing about the farmer's culture. He assumed that what was good for America was good for Africa.
Right now, our objective is to determine everything that we need to see in the future and determine what small steps we can make towards that end. That doesn't mean that you will have everything on the first step. It means that you will show people in charge that there are changes needed and the easiest changes to make will lead to others until the changes feel quite natural.
But the problem becomes discovering what those changes must be since most people are not used to recognizing change and don't even know where to start when it comes to asking for changes they might need.
If you recognize the need, you can help.
I think after reading through these that the next step may be to start prioritizing.
What do we need to do next. Let's begin another thread. --Linda
I think when you boil all of it down, it basically reverts to the simplicity of basic human function. We will know that we have truly acheived equality when women have the most essential opportunity for equality.
Yep that's right folks. I am talking about equal peeing opportunities.
Seriously. Think about it. When men restrooms have five peeing opportunities and women's restrooms only have three, the core of the argument is a basic lack of respect for biological funtion and physiology. A supression of the fact that women maintain heightened population, participate fully in all aspects of social and economic interactions, and yet have not won the basic respect to have one simple equality.
I hope you all don't mind my simple intrusion on your conversations, but honestly, I believe that this issue is a core problem world wide, that has never received any serious discussion.
We are born Free to Think and Do what is Best for Life on Earth.. . ..THEN these recently invented national borders and religious beliefs IMPOSE their limits upon the Children of God.
If you can not educate governments and religions then who on earth can ?
Humans were NOT BORN speaking this language, salting this flag, or worshipping this stone. It was DONE to us.
''German Shepard'' or ''Border Collie'', ''Christian'', ''Muslim'', ''Jew'', ''American'', ''German'', ''French'', ''Male'', ''Female''.... We were INDOCTRINATED into being ''Proud of our DIFFERENCES'', and to be a faithful and obedient patriot who will promote, and fight for, our self inflicted DIVISIONS. We were TOLD, using mere words, by those who use, control, and require our servitude, for their continued rule.
The ''German Shepard'' and ''Border Collie'' know BETTER, and that is why they can have puppies and live in Peace.
Really, the fundamental, ultimate mystery -- the only thing you need to know to understand the deepest metaphysical secrets!
- is this: that for every outside there is an inside and for every inside there is an outside, and although they are different, they go together."
One must remember......One should never hit a woman or man......thats equality....
Equal Rights for me is respect and acknowlegement of a person. I think that is where it begins. Knowing who a person is and where they are coming from. Equal Rights for all!
Women are oppressed because men fear them. And they have from the beginning of time. Why wouldn't they? Women are amazing beings, and I think men have always feared the miraculous aspects of the female body... We always want to control that which we fear. Additionally, it is profoundly symbolic; men fear their own feminine energy as well, logic, control and force is the name of the game. They push down, disrespect and subconsciously loathe their own feminine energy (intuition, passivity, tender emotions...) just as they do the same toward women. Hence a world such as we have. A world cannot hate half of itself and not inevitably destroy itself.
I haven't read this whole thread, and I apologize if I missed it on the list, but one thing that should be included is women should have full ownership of their own bodies. Abortion should be an absolute right. Prostitution being a criminal offense is a reprehensible endeavor to control women. It is in no way about protecting women, it's about controlling them, controlling their bodies, their sexuality and the power therein. And , no, it's not about protecting society either. Studies have shown that AIDS is not a problem in areas where prostitution is legal. This law is actually a danger to the public.
No one else's "morals" or religion should be dictating what a woman does with her own body. It's absurd because prostitution is prolific among those who are "married." Married being two people who have been deemed legal by government to have sex...because they've stood in line and signed a piece of paper. Aka, the government has them under control.
But we all know that many, many individuals marry for financial security, not love. Prostitution. But that's cool with the gov 'cause they've got it under control with the signed paper. People in general prostitute themselves every day, both sexually and otherwise. It's none of the government's business...or it shouldn't be. Whether we're selling our soul, our integrity, our blood and sweat or our body...it's ours to sell. It should be our choice, not the government's.
Dove
Has anyone had any experinces in the court system within the past 10 years?
I was railroaded by the men in the power seats. I was ignored, they let my ex-spouse keep my daughter, when he should have returned her from custody visits, and then the father turned out to be an offender of my daughter. Ater the courts left my daughter with him for so long, the courts took her away from the father's care and custody.
But they completly ignored me, they stole my youngest child and put her up for adoption. I was allowed to keep my other two children.
http://http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/559465691
Sonja
Part of having equal rights is having an equal opportunity to capitalize on your strengths and recognize your weaknesses, and whether we'd like to admit it or not, men are victims of this piece of the inequality too. Traditional society says women care for the children and the home and men go out make the money, but how many women do you know who can't cook, have no patience with their kids, and never clean? There are great fathers out there who would make wonderful stay-at-home parents, but spend Monday through Friday of every week in jobs that bring them no joy or satisfaction at all. Outdated cultural norms hurt everyone-male and female. Maybe they don't compare to the destruction wrought by violence or bigotry, but they do keep all of us from being all that we are able. Perhaps a statement of equal rights would be more like this:
Equal access to success and failure. Equal protection and punishment under the law. Equal bias in peer pressure, and candor in self-examination. Equal responsibility and reward for my actions. Equal access to education, health care, and financial assistance. Equal praise for good deeds, and condemnation for bad character. The right to speak up and do the right thing. Equal share of the sense of loss and shame at failing to do so. The right to physical, religious and sexual freedom. An equal right to thrive or wash out as a spouse, parent, lover and/or friend. The right to love and hate. Self-actualization to recognize my strength's and weaknesses, and a willingness to capitalize or compensate. The right to give up on a lost cause. The right to chose my battles. The right to fight for life, and to choose death. These rights belong to every person, male and female. Whether we do great things or nothing at all, the actions of any individual can neither justify nor invalidate our right to them. They are essential to our humanity, and ours to treasure or squander as we see fit.
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I've learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said, 'In the eyes of God, marriage is based between a man and a woman."
I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination and that person should be put to death by stoning.... end of debate. Did you know that Cheney has a homosexual daughter or son; why can’t you arrange to have that person stoned to death?
I also need some advice and guidance from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, Iraqis and all Muslims, but not to Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians as slaves, who often speak French? Can’t we at least go over and buy their virgin daughters as slaves?
2. If we cannot have foreign slaves, I would like to sell my 15-year-old daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. (I need the money). I figure I can also start a business and help others sell their daughters as well, for a commission. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for a daughter of ordinary looks, and still a virgin?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact or sex with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Leviticus 15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I've tried asking, but most women take offense. Can you pass a law that makes all women wear an "unclean" sign around their necks to make it clear for everyone? The penalty for being with an ‘unclean’ woman is death. We should start killing immediately.
4. When I burn a bull on my backyard altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Leviticus 1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. They say only steak or hamburger on the barbie is OK, but not the whole cow. The Bible says we should not eat what we put on the barbecue alter, but my neighbors disagree. Should I smite them for opposing the will of the Lord?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. I figure his boss should be smited as well. Am I morally obligated to kill them myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish (and other animals) is an abomination - Leviticus 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? Which ones are worth killing for?
7. Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here? Most people wear reading, sunglasses or other kinds of glasses these days; shouldn't all glasses be outlawed?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus 19:27. They all go into the temple like this, plus they wear their glasses. How should they die?
9. I know from Leviticus 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football, soccer or basketball if I wear gloves? How many goats should I sacrifice after I get unclean by touching pigskin or meat?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Leviticus 24:10-16.) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with the people who sleep with their in-laws? (Leviticus 20:14.)
11. My wife sometimes wears pants. The Bible commands that “a woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.” Isn’t this an abomination? Shouldn’t we put to death any women who wears pants or any man who cross dresses for Halloween or who wears Speedos? When is the best time to kill my wife, so that God will favor me with his mercies about following his rules? (Deuteronomy 22:5)
12. I see people coveting (desiring) money and using idol containing money with images of politicians on them. God detests this. When should we burn all the money and kill everyone who continues using it? (Deuteronomy 7:25 and 1 Timothy 6:10)
13. I am also confused about numerous instances where the followers of God were very favored and had many wives or even harems; Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and he was very favored of God, except for his ‘foreign’ wives who were abominations. Should we all follow the Mormon example and have harems so we can be favored by God like this? (Genesis 29:15-30, 1 Kings 11:1; 2 Chronicles 12:13; Nehemiah 13:26, 2 Samuel 3:2-5, Esther 2:2-4, 1 Samuel 1:2, 1 Kings 11:3, Deuteronomy 17:17.
14. The Bible also states that we can purchase or kidnap our wives, of any age. Is this OK with you? Can I get the local police to back me up when I kidnap my harem of young virgins? Genesis 29:20, Ruth 4:10, Hosea 3:2, Hosea 12:12
Feel free to copy and use the above as suits you. One addition would be to use the harem example for women as well. Why can't women have harems of men ? Equal rights and all....
Concerning equal rights, Jesus was someone who supported womens rights. He encouraged spirituality, integrity, honesty, prayer, and other virtues... I admire and do my best to follow his teachings, philosophy, and spirituality in a practical manner.
As far as those who look only at the Old Testament (illustrated above), and pull out a few things for their own misguided reasons, I disagree with them very strongly. Jesus existed to cancel out all of the OLD laws above and bring in ONE new law, which is; Treat/love your neighbor as you yourself want to be treated/loved. Neo cons avoid this part of the Bible and almost the entire New Testament up to Armageddon, including all references to love and forgive enemies, turning the other cheek, patience, empathy, compassion, etc.
Also, just because someone did something 2,000 years ago, does that mean we should also do it today, limiting ourselves just to that? After all, society has progressed for the most part beyond what the people of that time did, thought and believed.
We can and do evolve with time. The Amish are a small group that try to keep things the way they were 2,000 years ago. I admire them in one way, but in another way, they are being left behind.
hi folks
ed in. I m a very strong believer n motivator for women on the world to have equal rights in comparison with us MAN! well we were let believe that this is a man`s world but I discovered that without a woman acting by freewill without any neediness , straight forward in actions like I am made me miserable. So women when they with all their divine femminity start to act as independent self confident creatures this world will achieve the purpose up to me n so that I can finally find the woman like a woman, of my dreams,a woman like a cat n panther as main theme.
Equal rights... is such a thorny issue.
I want the right to not be raped.
I want the right to go out at night without fear.
I want the right to have my abilities recognised, disregarding my gender and the size of my breasts.
I want the right to be treated as a human being by the law, not as a second class citizen.
I want both parents to play equal roles in raising the children.
I want the women's work in the home recognised and acknowledged for the great thing that it is.
This is probably not going to be a popular post, however. We as women in the U.S. need to count our blessings. We do have it alot better than other countries. oes this mean we should accept the conditions here, no, just don't forget the women around the world that are raped and murdered openly for what ever reasons the men want them for.
All I am saying is to have some perespective on our situation that's all.
We should continue to fight for equal treatment, equal pay, and the assumption that we can count to ten, but remember those women that have much much more to strive for in our journey.
Amanda... no offense but
what blessings?
the USA is the country with the highest rape count in the world. Every 2 minutes in the USA a woman is raped. No offense, but...calling the kettle black
Most rights on paper? that does not hold much water.
We are do not have acid thrown on us at thw whim of an angered husband,
No, the American husband just beats the %#&!*% out of his wife.
with 1 in 7 women being raped by their husbands and one in 3 being repeatedly abused.
we are allowed to show our faces,
Ans only get verbal harassment for it.
we are allowed to go to school
unless you are a lesbian girl to be thrown out of school for her sexuality.
and work
unless you have children, and then you either quit your job or are a bad mother
, we have the ability to suceed in our lives.
less than 15% of the CEOs of the Fortune 500 companies are women.
Yes these are basic human rights, but women around the world do not have these basic rights. I know it sounds silly and yes we should fight for the continuing treatment and respect, we should fight for our safety, but it could be worse. All I am saying is fight with those women in your hearts.
No Amanda. Let's not kid ourselves. Rights on paper are worth nothing in real life.
In the USA abortion is legal... unless you live in one of the red states. So where is that right again??
Amanda, yeah, we can always find someone in the world who is worse off than we are, but I don't see that your statements are relevant to this topic. I so wish those horrors that you speak of weren't so...and just maybe if women were an equal part of this government, we could be an example, part of the solution, or in some way a ray of hope for those women. Maybe we can help them once we've made our own country right, once we've become a true example that all people should be free and equal, that basic human rights should be a given for all. We certainly can't help them until we've realized and manifested our own freedom and power. And this aint it
Like Simona, I want to be free to walk out on the street at night...and to not have to worry if I'm being too nice to my employer. Have been fired more than once because they thought I was supposed to be their girlfriend, and there was really nothing I could do about it..especially where the employer has the legal system in his pocket (he had a policeman following me after I was terminated).
Was told in another job situation (reliable source) the true reason I was being let go...because my breasts were too small and I was not "submissive" enough. This was a world-wide company, where the manager's in one regional office were known to sit around looking at porn mags, while the secretaries continued to do their jobs around them. Women are not only underpaid, they're regularly and blatantly disrespected, groped and otherwise sexually harrassed...
Maybe your life is peachy with the way things are, Amanda, but many of us are feeling all too potently that we are not really free. This country needs a total overhaul, we should DEMAND that all people are equally represented, not just Jay-sus freaks who feel women should just shut up, stay home and have babies until they die at the ripe old age of 22.
Studies have shown our schools favor the boys, just another way it teaches females where the value is...that if they want to be valuable, forget learning and get prettied up so you can land yourself one of them there beings with a hangy-downy. He'll take ya' under his wing and throw ya' a few scraps of freedom while you spend your life having his babies, and tending to his home, doing your "women's work" and being soooooooo grateful for that privilege. And then consider youself lucky, girlie, some women don't even have a husband *gasp*
Dove
Most of the people in the ''third world'' (free world) live in poverty becuase we have been invading, pillaging and destroying them for 2000 years.
But the children laugh and play among the ruins of our evil deeds and the love blooms beneath the smoke of the civilizations we have torched.
Humanity is not that easily destroyed.
The Equal rights movement started the downfall of the american society, in the family. Women that do not have children or husbands to care for the children while the mother is at work, have contributed to the increase in crime, drug use, and moral decay in this country.
These issue, although always present, truely started as Suzy homemaker went to work leaving the young impressionable children in the care of a person, who looked after several other children, with no obligation to the child to raise them right, but to the parent to keep them safe.
Suzy homemaker going to work also speed up another issue, Inflation. With dual incomes parents are now able to afford gifts for the child to entertain them so the parents do not. When you can spend more the cost of goods is not an issue until you need a raise to keep up with your spending. Now if you need a raise and your boss says no, complain to congress about the minimum wage. Minimum wage goes up with your pay so does the cost of goods. (Better put the kid to work). Its a cycle that will never end now that it is started just look at burgers, gas, and milk.
I do not think we should be in cavemane days where I am the man do as I say, but we should take back our social morality by having a parent responsible for the mental heath and development of the children.
If the woman who chose to raise a family decided to stay home with the children until they where of school age, many of the problems with underage drinking, drug use, children having children, and morality would be adverted. The number one reason kids give for their crime is go ahead guess...yup.."Nobody was there to tell me no!".
Parents especially the caregiver need to take a more active roll in the childs life. And start being a mother or father and not a PAL. Say no and spank some butt!
Thank you
Dan
animals4food@yahoo.com
I agree with everyone. This is a great thread!
I want to be a successful woman, in work, in love, in everything, just the same as most other women. I have the potential, just like other women.
However, women are considered 'weaker' than men, emotionally and physically. A lot of the time, a woman can be very strong physically, although men do tend to have more physical strength in them. I think the emotional concept is a load of BS though. You can get a very tough and strong-willed woman and an anxious, fearful man. Although, I'm only 16 - perhaps I haven't seen enough of the facts yet?
And, although I want to be respected and have my skills acknowledged, I do like to be considered graceful and elegant, and I'm very attracted to chivalry. Although I'm perfectly capable of doing things for myself, I find it attractive if the man offers to help. We are elegant and beautiful after all!
My x husband's father put it all more succinctly. He stated during his dinner conversation that, "women were the cause of all of the misery in the world'. I recall looking at my x husband as the comment was utterly insane yet he put it into his mouth along with the forkful of food and his only response was to swallow both. I do not know for sure if it was that specific moment that the relationship bottomed out or if it was in the next instant when I glanced at my 2 young children, a girl and a boy, also at the table and wondered again for the umpteenth time about double standards. Would my son grow up to feel a sense of 'entitlement' and a sense of confidence that he had a ready made scapegoat in the shape of a woman to fall back on like an ace up the sleeve and would my daughter be subjected to 'biology is destiny' dogma?
It is 19 years later, my son does not have a sense of entitlement nor the other blather and my daughter learned how to sidestep the dogma and keep moving. No easy feat for either of them to have accomplished considering the steady broadcasts of blatant messages to the contrary stemming from the external shared reality.
Liberation, like peace, is a process of growth and development [learning]. When we have reached a personal threshold, the desire manifests to help others not so fortunate or those who have plateaued along the way, with their endevours.
I say if you really want equal rights, then simply do NOT hang out with abusive people (men or women). That only encourages the crazy inbalance that you love to hate. The best revenge is being happy, it is said. And to do that you must give up the fight! So ask yourself, would you rather be "right" or happy (ie. joyous)? And if you are stuck in wanting drama, well what's the saying? There's no rest for the wicked! (Sorry to use such a stupic word - no not rest but stupid.) Being an adversary to whatever, like being a feminist, only encourages some to react to your "stuff" or energy. Better to simply be light-hearted, centered & know yourself. Oh, so you get a kick out of being "tough", "strong", & macho, huh? Whoppee. Nothing like acting out ones "lower world view". Ho, ho humm. Same ol', same ol'. What is that a rite of passage. Hell, if you're that angry, might as hate men, your father & your ex's the old fashion way. Be a lesbian & join NOW like what happened to America. A hard, bitchy, miserablly adversarial, tempting-to-hurt, self-destructive place. Oh yeah, lots of company with pseudo-friends. But how could anyone be a real friend if they don't know themself, or really even respect themself, or be more caring to all (& not just in theory). Maybe that's the kind of friend one thinks one deserves, or all that one can have. Whatever. Or to put it more simply, isn't it just time to grow up, get on with it & move on. Might as well, the same ol' issue has been done before, over & over again, & where's the payoff in that? Kind of quaint, cute. Nothing like getting huffed up. No big deal, just a wee little whatchcallit.
To bad equal rights won't make the sexes equal. Not even if women act like men, will there be equality. Is the sun equal to the moon? Kind of stupid question isn't it? I mean, what is one wanting to experience with "equal rights" anyway? Self-esteem? Self-love & self-respect? Peace? Freedom has to be continually fought for, so one must need to have "fire in the belly" to be free. Free to be constantly vigilent without resting on your laurels. When the struggle for freedom & equality takes a back seat to just making others wrong & being alienated from some but feeling self-righteous & part of a clique, then their is no real hope of progress & true happiness. But one always has the equal right to get out of adversarial thinking (ie. reacting) & get into the moment & into ones heart - compassionate place that is resistable to other, just as in Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Jesus, & Bush. LOL! Rage on & die, or light up the world. Now you tell me what's more fun & what is easier & harder to do. What I like about the feminist movement is that when a few get some extreme, they "appear" to switch sides to those clinging to the established "Party line". They make you thinK. Ya think?
Alan calm down take a deep breath. You may just want to listen to your own advice about being peaceful and happy there.... Why tell others not to start drama when you do it yourself?
I say if you really want equal rights, then simply do NOT hang out with abusive people (men or women).
The best revenge is being happy, it is said. And to do that you must give up the fight! So ask yourself, would you rather be "right" or happy (ie. joyous)?
umm no that is not the case. We are not fighting just for ourselves. We fight for the world, for our sisters and daughters. What it seems to me like you are saying is that we should just close our eyes and ignore that around us and just pretend to be happy?
You are walking down the street and see someone getting attacked by someone else. The person is laying on ground, obviously in pain while the other person just keeps attacking them, hitting and kicking them. What would you do? Close your eyes and think "happy" thoughts while you walk on by?
Sorry I couldn't do that. I would love to be happy with the way the world is, but if I have to close my eyes to do that then it is fake and a lie. I prefer true happiness in the hope that one day that women all over the world will truely be free and equal and not raped, murdered, abused and oppressed.
Being an adversary to whatever, like being a feminist, only encourages some to react to your "stuff" or energy. Better to simply be light-hearted, centered & know yourself. Oh, so you get a kick out of being "tough", "strong", & macho, huh? Whoppee.
That is just nonsense. You are the one thinking of us as being "against" not us. We are for. We are positive. We are for equal rights. And I personally am called by those who know me as a peace loving tree hugging hippy. All I want in the world is peace and love and to see the world grow into a thing of beauty and freedom. Don't I sound tough there? lol It reminds me of the tarot card of strength, a woman with a lions head in her lap. Our strength isn't aggressive, it is the inner strength we focus on. The strength to pull yourself up out of the worst circumstance and be a better person for it. We fight with inner passion and strength.
Hell, if you're that angry, might as hate men, your father & your ex's the old fashion way. Be a lesbian & join NOW like what happened to America. A hard, bitchy, miserablly adversarial, tempting-to-hurt, self-destructive place. Oh yeah, lots of company with pseudo-friends.
okay..... you are the one who seems pretty angry here.
To bad equal rights won't make the sexes equal. Not even if women act like men, will there be equality. Is the sun equal to the moon? Kind of stupid question isn't it? I mean, what is one wanting to experience with "equal rights" anyway? Self-esteem? Self-love & self-respect? Peace?
Balance. lol you should talk to Wiccans who actually do believe the sun is equal and balanced to the moon
It goes back to what I said about walking down the street and seeing someone being attacked. People will always sadly get attacked or hurt by others. There are bad people in this world who will always try to hurt someone else. We want to make it happen less often, and make people wake up and realize that it is wrong. And so when the next person walks by and sees someone getting attacked they stop it instead of supporting it or seeing it as none of their business or a way of life.
We want balance. So that every single person has the same chance at freedom as everyone else. Men and woman are different, everyone on the planet is different from everyone else. Yet I do strongly believe in balance and equality for everyone. I am sorry if you don't or can't understand that.
According to the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a report that was published in July 2000, 4.9 million women are abused by their husbands/boyfriends in this country.
Also according to the Center for Disease Control domestic violence in 2003 had almost a six million dollar price tag. Victims of domestic violence lost almost eight million days of work outside the home, “the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs,” and almost six million days of housework.
Often domestic abuse begins during pregnancy and yet no one can understand why this country has such a high infant mortality rate.
Men accused of violence against women are rarely prosecuted and when they are, they are usually not convicted of domestic battery. A plea agreement usually allows men to get probation for beating a woman.
Feminists need to get off of their asses and on their feet before our voices are as unheard as the voices of “Presidential Protesters.”
Women have to become exactly equal to men before this problem and many other problems that women face will go away.
Now, now, don't get excited. Don't do anything you'll regret. Everything's going to be alright. You can't change people. You just have to be strong & live with it. Calm down & take a breath. Ho humm.
When your cage is rattled & your feathers are ruffled, it doesn't sound like you are very good at letting others speak their mind. God/Goddess/Mother Nature has no use of equality.So serious here. ALL, & I do mean ALL, the various women I know have said that the feminist movement has done NOTHING for them. Nobody's say to let dying "girls" die on the street. I think those who promote balance the most (& you know who you are individually & collectively!) are doing so because their inbalance. Obvious isn't it? And the striving for outer balance is a flection of an inner inbalance. Well yeah. I think you project! Same goes for equalilty. So essentially it seems like it's all just a way of coping & running away from ones own personal & private inbalance. You could call it blood chemistry, or hormones. You know like "testoserone poisoning". 
What a joke. Take my sister (please, she needs major help) who is angry at all men & jealous of men who have been blessed with strong muscled bodies. She had all the opportunities like everybody else has/had, but her mind, body, emotions, & spirit are all inbalanced & a mess. Mercy for all the hurt ones out there, especially those who are hiding their burdens. It's kind of like one big cult, a clique if you will. You may talk about the good ol' boys club (I do!), well how about the opposite? It's everywhere. Where's the respect or balance or equality there? It's like incestuous. Actually I feel sorry for all the fearful clinging together of those who aren't free to even go out as a single person - we're talking about women here. Like the totally confused woman I dated for two+ weeks who told me she had NO friends & whos kids hate her. She said how terrible it was to eat out in public alone. Like so many, nearing all, woman who have a distorted image of themselves. Sure our society needs some major adjustments, but to claim you're slim on a dating persaonals site & be 30 pounds overweight?! No respect. And the sleeping pills she takes! whoa. And isn't that typical? Pills, doctors, overeating, stuffing ones feelings, blame others (& oneself). No balance there & so many others I know of. Why no wonder there's such a distraction of ones problems onto some political movement & projection of ones own dis-ease. It's like the movie Koyanisquatsi (sp?) from around 1970, with the subtitle "Life out of Balance". Other in the series came later like the MOST EXCELLENT "BARAKA"! Do go see it!!! Or buy it!!! You WILL love it - promise! Yep, the western world (USA) is totally out of balance, but some people do better in this society than others (maybe those who just honeymooned to Niagra Falls - Raven). So Raven, I'd respond to your points, but why? Personally when I see all the women oriented group you host, I question what you're all about. Looks one sided, yes INBALANCED! Call it SEXIST! Likewise, when those who are against women & child abuse! I hate ALL abuse whether men, women, boy, girls, animals, plants, nature, nations, cultures, societies, even down to the smallest level. 63,014 members here at Equal Rights for Women (at care2). Power in numbers, but it all looks like a good ol' girls clique to me, a cult of insiders who like to say & think they are better than the others. Talk about separation, & inequality! Power to the people? Not for many, but more. That gets said often enough, huh? I say grow up & get a life) others say "pussy power". That's the part of the equation that doesn't get mentioned, not withstanding the "vaginal dialogue" talk. You know the Rebuplican saying to never attack another Repbulican? Same thing goes for women, yet they don't even have to speak it, because it part of the culture. That's the problem. Sexism from the craddle onward. No respect. You know with girls they can stay very close with their mothers, & yet with boys at a certain age they get distanced by their moms - their primary bond. (Same goes for girls eventually with their dads - no incest is not best, thank you. You've seen the movie, right?) So when I see SO many women oriented hosted groups I think wait a minute! Inbalanced sexist self-promoting, dishonest, game playing, etc. About Wicca, kind of like lesbians playing some game or something. Dressing up, pretending, ego identification, an acting out of control issues, bonding in a cult (subgroup). Dolls anyone? Talk about dolls, did you burn your Barbie doll? LOL That rampant!! A little angry hate? A lot! So I say, like Bill Maher, you don't have any excuse to hate men if you keep making bad decisions. And I certainly know ALL (?) American women make the very worse deciscions in men! And they support each other to do so, along with the media & the culture. Perverse! Well, at least one can say how terrible men are! You got proof (not)! Pity, really. Ever notice how one hears the sorry (in so many circumstances) but you know there's no sorrow felt. A denial of tears, of emotions. I don't think the world know how inbalance the US of A is, even though they know us better than we do ourselves! Refreshing to get out of the box! A women are a big (biggest?) part of the making of our box. It starts with mom. Anywhere around the world, the big taboo is saying something insulting, ie. negative even if true, about someones mother! Ah, THE big sacred moo moo cow! lol The (quest for the) perfect woman! And women do their idolizing. Johnny Depp, Viggo Mortenson, Cheney-ha! Sexist double standard is the worst, to gain personal advantage over men, the negativity put downs on men. Where the righteous anger there? Integrity, honesty? Get real OK?
One (of the many) thing I was thinking while reading and pondering was about not only equal pay, but about equal TAXES. A friend of mine told me that women get more cut out of their paycheck because they're not the "primary" workers... which only perpetuates this whole idiotic notion that a woman NEEDS a man. I would definitely include this in your definition!!!!
Another is that a co-worker of this same friend of mine told that she [my friend] was LUCKY that she [my friend] couldn't get married by law. I turned to my friend shocked and outraged and asked her WHY she was agreeing with this co-worker!! Lesbians and gays, because they aren't ALLOWED to get married federally, DO NOT have 1,049 rights afforded to straight married couples (tax benefits, the right to automatically inheirit, benefits, social security widow benefits, being automatically able to see spouse in an emergency situation).
For me personally, I've had another thought as I've been reading here. I've been on Disability for a long time now and hadn't given much thought to my benefits. However, if the Government overtaxed my paycheck from the little time that I DID work, I'm wondering if I've been receiving a LOT LESS than my male counterpart would be receiving in Disability payments for the same time worked. And that just churns my stomach acid.
I do what I can to work for equal rights (which isn't much because of emotional and financial constraints), seeing as I fall in more than one catagory (female, lesbian, disabled, poor {which go hand in hand}, and being a Faery/Witch/Hindu/Buddhist eclectic spiritual being).
A side note before I finish here is I CAN'T STAND it when guys look at me and assume that I'm straight and keep trying everything to get my attention so they can flirt with me.... and even when I tell them that I'm NOT STRAIGHT they think it's cute or sexy and want to watch!!!!!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRR! There HAS to be something added in there about being respected with our individual sexual orientations too cos grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!
Thanks for listening.
Brightest Blessings!!
I have spent alot of my life seeing the mistreatment of women my wife is disabled and I am fighting for mine when I do get it it will be almost twice hers. Why because I almost always made more money than her because it is easier for a man to get a higher postion. AS to the straight gay thing i would like to share this poem i wrote for a friend of mine.
Sisters in need
“Come to me now again, release me from
this pain, everything my spirit longs
to have fulfilled, fulfill, and you
be my ally” By Sappho.
In my life I have known,
several daughters of Lesbos.
Not the porn movie,
airbrushed beauties,
waiting for a man,
to cure them.
Lipstick lesbians,
Butch,
Femmes,
in the closet,
and out.
These are woman that
have made a choice
or feel they don’t have one.
There are woman in this world,
who have known the cock,
and the fist.
They love men but have found none,
who love them back. All the men,
they knew, didn’t know them. Hate %#&!*%,
and hate violence went hand in hand.
These girls wanted marriage,
babies, picket fence.
Found hospitals, scarves, sunglasses,
and false police statements.
One day they talked to another woman,
who held them,
when they cried.
Comfort became caring,
need became passion.
Love does not have a gender.
Hate often does.
Maybe they will go back,
to men when,
evolution kicks in.
Definition of Equality is: When women are paid the same as men, can access all areas of goverment including the presidency. Allowed in what was formerly gentleman clubs.
A woman's place is everywhere.
As a single woman for 48 years I found that my choice to pursue a career without being married and having children was considered inappropriate by my family. When I got married, it was a relief to my father who felt that he didn't have to worry about me being taken care of any more. 20 months later my husband died of cancer and the family stopped speaking to me and my parents removed me from their will. The people in my life have a real problem coping with an independent woman who can take care of herself. Equal rights for women? How about just being able to accept a person for who they are - gender aside - and allow them to be themselves. Allowing them to have the right to choose a life they wish to live - without imposing restrictions from society to act according to preconceived stereotype of gender. I am a heterosexual woman who believes in God and having a purpose in life to make a difference in the world I live in every day. I wanted to add my post because I believe it represents another perspective. Yes equal pay.. yes equal stalls in the restrooms..yes equal acceptance as a human being living on this earth.
I enjoyed reading all the other opinions and appreciate a place to add my own.
My story is as follows: when I was 16 (born 1951 and raised in Montreal and schooling in Germany as a teen, a linguist) I met a young Britsh man (Alan Massey) 5 years older then me (born 47) from North Wales who had been hitchhiking around Europe in 1968. He had been travelling on a shoe string and sleeping rough, trying drugs and was a fan of Pink floyd and the hippie scene. he had even been in a jail in marseille for a few days.
I was still at school then and enjoyed the student scene and was interested to meeting English speaking people and invited him home to have a meal and helped him find accommodation and a job. We believed in 'make love, not war'. I fell in love and followed him to England when I was 18 in 1969, but having lived with him for 3 months he threw away my birth control pills and got me pregnant after a few drinks. We got married soon after in 1970 although we hardly had any money and really I had trepidations that I was being controlled and exploited for sex and money. My father wanted me to have an abortion, but i thought I would be optimistic and give it a go. We did try to make a go of life and although I had two children and we lived on the poverty line I went back to work and had childcare for the children. I had sent him onto a training course to get a job in the trades and helped to pay for his training until he got on his feet. Well this went on for several years, but I was feeling restless and dissatisfied with my marriage as things were not getting off the ground, so got separated and eventually divorced in 1980. I was working in the City of London, the children were at school and then I took my children to visit my mother who lives in Germany for a couple of weeks. My father has been a self made businessman and had a good standing and income. Whilst I was at my parents my ex husband files a lawsuit to say I had kidnapped the children and I was order to return them directly to Britain (although I am a Canadian citizen and I am staying with family for a holiday), and even had a injunction slammed on my apartment that it could not be sold. I was being held to ransom over my children. Inspite of my forebodings I returned to London right away and delivered the children to the bedsit that my exhusband lived in and tried to get a lawyer. Well the Court (Judge Edwards) ordered that we share access to the children that I get them 4 days a week and my ex has them the rest of the time.
Do you think this happened? I was getting no financial support from my ex husband and he then did not allow me access, abused me verbally, told me to F.. O.. everytime I called to see the children and so it went on. My parents never got to see the children again since that time as they were not allowed to visit. I was not in a financial situation to take the matter back to litigation and felt this was futile. I was devastated with loss and I was lucky if he let me to see them on a Sunday afternoon.
Now they have grown and for a while when they had left home they had not informed me of their whereabouts, they had moved to an unknown address and I had to trace them by the Red Cross Family tracing to get back in touch. At this stage the kids were in their mid twenties. When I found my daughter again in 1999 she was so delighted, but she had been badly affected and now has schizophrenia. I am now regularly in touch with her and she lives in London, but her health has deteriorated terribly and she now suffers from Parkinsons as well. She is not married and is alone. I have asked her to join me living in Alberta, but she is not able to make this change as she is still being controlled by her father who has now moved to an unknown address in Scotland. My son is married and is doing fine, but has now moved to new york to an unknown address. I rarely get news about my granddaughter.
This is the state of my motherhood after having an international marriage and being a teenage cold war bride to Britain. How much more abuse and discrimination can one cope with? I would welcome your comments: artfan.angie@yahoo.ca
It's when women gain power in greater demorgraphics that equal rights will have meaning. I believe we're on the verge of some real change on this planet. I say, lets roll out the red carpet now for a softer, more gentle world.
I was reading the first few replies and felt compelled to respond.
Before I carry on, I will give you a little background of myself. Firstly I am a firm believer in equal rights whether this involves women, men or animals and nature. Everything and everybody deserves to be treated fairly. I come from an under-priveledged background where money has always been scarce, living of hand me downs all the time, also with second hand goods for birthdays and cheap goods for christmas. Please do not get me wrong I had a reasonable up-bringing but my mum had to hold down three jobs as she never had any help from the government.
I live in the UK where equality is still slow in up and coming. People want to look in a way in the law courts for a lack of equality, sometimes when men and women get divorced the men have always paid a very high price, regardless if they were in the wrong, ie it does not matter whether the man has had an affair or not he could be a victim of his wife having an affair thus he calls for a divorce, this could work out to be his most costly mistake he will ever make. I do agree with prenuptual agreements as it protects the assets created by both parties before they met each other.
With all this said however I do agree that in the workforce there are not enough women directors or chairpersons, let alone managers.
I will leave it like this for now and see what other people have to say.
My body contains a billion years of accumulating chromosomes.
My mind contains a million years of accumulating thoughts.
Even I do not know the value of my body and my mind to the future of this evolving creation.
We are born equally mysterious and equally valuable to the future of Life.
To save the future from the fabricated prejudice of flag waving nations speaking mere words, and from the prejudice of scripture waving priests speaking mere words, Life must be respected, loved and treasured, all treated as equals on this tiny planet, or the Journey of Life will not survive the lies made of mere words issued by the rulers of territories and congregations bnent on dominion over Life.
Hi Linda and everyone, thanks for your good words. We women should stand up for our right. Equal Rights for Women means that the world is in balance. To lead the nation both are needed men and women. So, sisters, ladies, friends and whoever feels that women and men should be treated equally should stand up. Together we can do it.
Hugs
Milena
i have never spoken of this before but i would like to share now... when i was 13 i was taken away from my mother because my step father sexauly abused me.... even tho my mom had done everything thing she could have... he put him in jail and we never spoke to him again.... they still took me away... in foster care i was abused again and witnest abuse if a lil child... my mom fought for 3 mnts and finaily won me back... thank god!!!
after all that i had to be put on medication and in thearpy for years and i still think about it everyday
they took me away cuz they thought my mom allowed the abuse to acure but she didnt no... they were wrong yet again..
the take the kids that dont need to be taken away and leave the abused ones.. thats my experince with them... and yes i do want to make a difference!!!
TO BE WOMAN IS THE MOST WONDERFULL THINK IN THE WORLD,REALLY.FIRST OF YOU CAN HAVE CHILDREN ,YOU CAN FELL THE LOVE OF A MAN,YOU CAN DO THINGS THAT ONLY WOMANS CAN DO AND THIS IS WONDERFULL BUT MANY MENS HAVE A NEGATIVE ,IRRATIONAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS WOMEN.THEY THINK THAT WE DONT HAVE VALUE AND OPINION THAT WE ARE GOOD ONLY AT KITCHEN AND BED THIS IS UNFAIR.
The trouble is, this society and planet does not want equal rights for all people, especially women. The end result is less power for men. If you were a man with a fragile ego, would you want less power than you already feel you have as a human being?
If a solution was wanted, it would happen overnight..it would become viral. So, all the struggles are acceptable to us througout the ages, as hurdles that need more and more climbing. We can climb til our fingers are raw, and no doubt we will.
Nancy Pilosi ...is merely a pawn of the globalists to pretend to be in position to lead the USA presidency, and to lead women into a new brighter future. But she would not be in the position she is today if she were not bending to the elites, and those are absolutely men.
I feel we're being conned. I'm saddened that the elites created a false women's rights movement, so they could make women taxable. I'm a realist...and in my opinion...nothing has changed...except that women are now taxable..families are divided, and children are raising themselves today.
I am amazed that we are making any distinctions between women's rights and men's rights. I recommend that we follow the UN Instruments of the law and include CEDAW, 1325 and the CRC.
That covers all the bases.
To divide the issues, enforces the current reality, that bars women from being treated as human beings. Now that the UN has modified the agreement in October of 2006, all obstacles are removed.
Our only task is to ensure our home counties have signed all the treaties and are implementing them.
You are absolutely right in your definination of women rights. As compared to men wowen have been enjoying more rights. God has given very special status to women. In my opinion women should be given more rights. They should be always ahead of men as they are mothers, sisters, daughters, wifes. I shall prefer to sacrifice my rights for my mother, sisters, wife, daughter. I love men in all status. So I want more rights for women.
Thanks
Halo I was very suprised to see a man comment here!!!! Women of the World have got to Unite. If we all stood up against, the Men in the world and said "We are not going to let you Destory Our Sisterhood" we could do soo much.
Men have been using Us as "cattle" for a very long time. "The Inquisition" "The Witch Hunts" "Religion in General" We are strong, God made us that way. Do you honestly think that if men had to give birth we would be soo overly populated. I don't think so. I am a Woman and I stand for All My Sitster in the world. Namaste
There are many men who post hear, but often it is at the man's peril, as he must deal with broad stereotypes and generalizatuions as perfonified above.
I feel Indio's comment regading dealing the Human rights is very correct, and is a goal a hope for all humanity to strive for.
Best wishes,
Michael
Hello ladies and fine gentlemen who have commented here. I agree with everything that I have read....please forgive me if I have missed something. I have been ill...and not said much about being ill...and won't be now either .Thinking...is still a little fuzzy if you know what I mean?
We all see equality issues based on what we each live in our daily lives...from what has happened in our past. I think everyone is right in what they are saying because of this.I also agree with..please forgive me...I can't remember who was saying they were brought up in the 50's...and was told they were fragile.....I connect with that...I am tiny...I was told growing up that I was fragile...girls are wives...mothers...I was only here to be support...to be standing behind men supporting them. That my reason for living was to give children to a husband...that my place in life was only to look after him.(I don't believe this now..but its still there in my subconcious thought) I live in Canada.Women are still paid less for the same jobs that men do.Women are considered 'not working'(although I must mention that in Canada either parent can take a year's absence from work for up to a year I believe it states, with pay from the government, if they chose to stay home to raise their children(which I did...but at that time it was not noticed this way) I agree...I deserved and did not get the same respect as any man or woman who has worked in a 'paying' job.
I don't know how to define equal rights because of my up-bringing but this looks like a fine start.
Skennnen
Here is an excerpt from an article from this past week:
Martha Burk is a political psychologist and director of the Corporate Accountability Project for the National Council of Women's Organizations.
"The saber-rattling against Iran by President Bush and Secretary of State Rice last week—as part of the hype for sending 21,500 more Americans to Iraq to become more roadside-bomb fodder, and the push-back from Democrats and Republicans alike—overshadowed another official warning, this one against Sudan. U.S. special envoy Andrew Natsios, as he appealed to the Chinese for help with the genocide in Darfur that has killed 450,000 people to date, said on Friday, "If we find that the Sudanese government is stonewalling ... then we will go to a more coercive strategy."
But wait. The Bush administration actually agrees with both Iran and Sudan on one thing: Women’s rights aren’t important. The U.S. stands virtually alone with these countries against the rest of the civilized world in failing to ratify the international women’s human rights treaty known as CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women)."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neither Republicans or Democrats have taken time to support women's rights. Do not be deceived about this.
Hilary is not for women. She defers, always, to the political, rather than the moral choice. When CodePink put pressure on her to honor her election promises, she really struggled to remain articulate. Her answers and responses under pressure were most revealing.
***A woman in power, is only helpful if she speaks and acts on behalf of the Feminine.
It does not matter who has held the reigns of power, women have been ignored and they will continue to be ignored, until they mobilize on their own behalf to demand change !
This issue goes far beyond 2008 election concerns and women need to be careful not to allow themselves to become pawns in any political games, as hopefuls strive for their votes. Do not be manipulated.
CEDAW is a universal human right ! It is not negotiable, by any party, at any time. Women need to unilaterally demand its ratification.
Petition the UN to assist this cause.
As hard as it is to believe, there are very rich and powerful women lobbying against the ratification of the ERA and CEDAW.
Their campaigns have been so successful that they have delayed CEDAW for nearly 30 years and the ERA for over 85 years.
***If these treaties are not ratified, you will never achieve equality !
These matters do not depend upon elections or political parties. They depend on women, in unison, demanding that they be fully recognized as human beings.
Women arise and demand your rights !
And I do not give thanks for my "good fortune", while my sisters throught the world struggle. Until we all share in the full benefits of equity, we are far from finished.
Here we have only the illusion of equality. We have not really come far from the suffragettes.
The so called third world countries have ratified CEDAW. The United State's refusal to do so has interfered with all attempts to advance women's rights in other countries. Let us see it done here. Then we empower women everywhere !
Please watch, "Iron Jawed Angels".
These days so much is a matter of mentality. What women lose is a question of controlling her own thoughts and insecurities. It's a mind game. One that I'm losing, but a mind game. There is a hierarchy that still exists and knowledge of history is a powerful study in psychology. Too often, the stratification occurs with a women refusing to identify with masculinity. Refusing her own, she refuses other's and is seen as castrating. A positive outlook toward essentially masculine behavior is a difficult lesson to learn if you have been taught to be the victim of it. The is a moment of trust that can either be confirmed or violated. From there, the relearning, if necessary, is very difficult unless you are constanly vigilant. So, getting to the point of equality on a social basis is not as easily acheived as writing it on paper.
What about the women who are far ahead of the typical male ....women who have status, wealth, fame, travel,education....Why should they settle for being equal?....
I say this . The day we achieve Equality not just for women but Equality for all we have achieve Peace. Only through True Equality we can get to Peace.
Love and Light
Luna
''' Mother, of course IT's not Fair, but IT's never been Fair, and IT never will be Fair, Fair is the Exception, so don't waste time or energy on that thought, do the best you can to put as much ''Fair'' in your life as you can.'''
His words stopped me cold & I realized that he'd just said, at 18 years old, something very profound. He is now 46 years old, I'm older too, and I've often remembered those words, especially now with al the equality stuff being knocked around our world, The same goes for 'Equal"
Another guy I adored, a psychologist. testified in court once when I was there, answering the judge's question with this,
'''In A Perfect World, With All Things Being Equal, Yes, I Would Prefer That These Children Be Adopted By A Family of The Same Race, However, The World is Not Perfect, Things Are Not Equal, Things Have Never Been Equal and From Where I Sit, They Never Will Be.''' In Reality, I recommend totally that these children be adopted by these people who obviously love them and want them.'''
For me, we do need to celebrate the giant strides that have been taken in our name, too many to list, and to pursue equal opportunities for education and employment for those women who want it and qualify, not because they are women, but because they really qualilfy. Meanwhile, I have the right to keep the traditional role of wife and stay at home mother and parent for my children.
The world is a Man's world which is evidenced by hundreds of years of history.
It is the Male who has and does define what being "equal" "equality" "equal rights" is all about and how it is accomplished and by whom.
In the U.S. being equal = being equal to a MALE! "Be ... All that you can Be ... Be a Man!" I say this because this is the hype that goes out to everyone and formulates the minds of both little girls and little boys alike in our society!
Even though that hype does not say "Be a man" it is clearly implied and certified by imagery and spin that makes it clear in everyones mind precisely what being "equal" is all about!
What is pathetic about this whole issue is the fact that the "Male Standard" is based upon values like: Aggression, Control, Power, Domination which often translates to behaviors like; Rape, Killing, Murder, Warfare, Genocide, Empire Building and the like!
The reality is that none of these behaviors has anything to do with any "Standard" of any kind and is more about Anti-Social Emotionally Unstable and often Psychotic Behavior! G.W. is the perfect poster boy for that reality.
PLEASE ... for the whole of our humanity and for the planet itself ... come to www.femininefirst.org and peruse the content for a few hours ... join the movement that will ultimately bring peace to this world and policies of love to this planet!
There are links everywhere on this site and if you spend time on the pages below for starters ... you can truly enjoy your visit and help us spread the word!
http://www.femininefirst.org/NM_ForumsDirector.html
http://www.femininefirst.org/NM_BushWhacked1_file.html
http://www.femininefirst.org/NM_Forums-Boycott1.html
http://www.femininefirst.org/index.html
HELP US TURN THIS WORLD AROUND AND DO IT WITH FEMININE POWER ... WHICH IS THE WAY BUDDHA AND CHRIST BOTH TAUGHT US ALL AS THE WAY ... THE SPIRITUAL WAY.
Linda M,
I think you have done a wonderful job addressing the true understanding of equal rights, your definition was far from lousy, your post took some time and concern into how you presented your opinion. Well done; however, there were only two aforementioned statements about equal rights I feel should be disqualified from this list because it is not gender-fair:
"Equal opportunity for medical leave upon a birth of a child."
"Equal opportunity to leave upon the birth or adoption of a child in order to prepare for a family adjustment."
If the first is just permitted to the female in the employee pool and denied to fathers, then this should be disqualified AND the second has the same reason. Parenting is a two-way street and if maternity leave is demanded by every mom who gave birth so should time off be given to the expecting father. Do you agree ? kind of off-subject but somehow relevant and I needed to vent it . . .
sharing the light,
Erica
A definition of equal rights:
" Equal Rights /equal-rights/adj:
The Absolutely identical and same right that is granted to one must be granted to all ."
I see this a simple and pure definition
Rick
Dearest Sisters,
1) Equal BirthRights = Equal Value = Equal Worth for Every Living Being on this Earth,
2) Equal Divine "Rights" start even before conception or a child,
3) When any government, religious or corporate "leader" hoard resources (examples; money, luxuries, land, private jets, etc) at the expense of the ones he suppossed to be "serving", this is inmoral, unethical or a plain old "evil" hoax, a legal scam to say the least,
4) What is call "equal rights" now, is just different words to describe those who are practicing the "Golden Rule" since the Beginning,
5) Equal Rights is about Loving Your Neighbor as You Love Self EQUALLY, , , , , if you rather practice the "Great Commandment" in Christianity,
, , , , , if you'd like more information, please visit the following website, when you have 20 minutes of Peaceful time;
