July 5, 2009 7:12 AM
I am excited to find other feminists as passionate about this far from dead revolution.  My inspiration to finally make my voice heard and become active, arouse from an especially disillusioning sexist encounter.  My frustration is almost indescribable when I try to comprehend why, as a pacifist woman, am I and others under the constant scrutiny that we are merely reacting as any "woman" would.  The ignorant stale beings we happen to share this planet with, feed and spread the idea that any woman who refuses to retaliate by resorting to physical conflict, is simply doing so because of a biological inferiority.  Ironically, these same beings would have us believe that their refusal to physically engage back with a woman is out of their enormous courtesy towards our "delicate frames".  How thoughtful.  Such naturally false standards have circulated to the point where both men and woman believe and act upon these ideas.  Sadly, as a result, this idea has evolved in our society to the point where I can not seem to come across a large majority of women who would in fact be capable of defending themselves to their full potential. Though this is not even close to the most important issue we are facing as women, it is one of the very prevalent examples of our psychologically induced downfall.  Most disheartening is the lack of support we are receiving, especially from the female population.  Since, as women we are politically equal thanks to the 19th amendment, many women are blind to society's other deeply embedded sexist misdeeds.  Modern culture is breeding the ludicrous idea that in today's day and age a woman is liberated through an over sexualized, oriented image.  Today's portrayal of sex is not power. It is simple and total degradation. It depicts our sisters in lude, and sometimes violent pornography.  It desensitizes society, making spousal abuse and rape almost rational in the misogynistic mind.  It makes phrases like "bitch" and "hoe" acceptable synonyms for women. It paves the way to chauvinism that gradually turns us into nothing more than objects of lust and sex. Men are in no position where they need to parade around lightly clothed and sexually exposed, in order to gain the upper hand, that meaningless job promotion, or "respect".  In short, our biggest dilemma is reversing gender roles and shedding the subconscious psychological image we have become labeled with.  I beseech all of us to take just one step in becoming active and actually working together to end the gap between men and women; becoming simply people.  Call it a hallmark quote, but lets face it; individual peace can only truly be obtained through our world's peace.