NS September 30th, 2010
Every night this week, the four of us have piled onto the bed to watch an episode of Walking With Dinosaurs. Tonight, as we watched a dinosaur tear bloody chunks out of its freshly-killed prey and I worried that it might be too much for Noble Girl, she suddenly said: Mmm mmmmm. That looks tasty!
No salad for lunch tomorrow then, eh?
NS September 22nd, 2010
News that a handful of men are entering (and often winning) races and marathons put on mainly for women has created a bit of a stir. Are these guys douchebags who enjoy exerting their superior physical capabilities over The Ladiez, ruining the spirit of the event, or is it unfair for these races to be exclusively aimed at only one gender in the first place?
Some people like to trot out the familiar argument that if women want equality with men, it has to be enforced in all areas. No female-only gyms, no ladies’ night drink specials, no women-only events or groups. Some go a step further and say that women shouldn’t expect separate toilets, exclusion from the military draft or even be eligible for maternity leave. You need to pee or have a baby? Well boo frickin’ hoo, you wanted to be just like the big boys and you GOT it, ladies.
This, of course, is called being a giant JERK.
The thing about this argument is that it assumes that women who fight for their rights think that men and women are exactly the same, with no biological deviances or differing practical needs. It’s also more than a little patronising. Men (and some women) often use this argument to try to ‘trap’ feminists into reneging on their arguments for equality. Much like the groups of white people who cry ‘Reverse racism!’ when minority groups put together an event celebrating their heritage or form a group exclusively for those within that minority group, there seems to be a wilful ignorance and refusal to acknowledge historical power structures in these protestations.
Reverse racism against whites is impossible because minority groups lack the political or societal power to enforce their alleged biases. In the same vein, women as a whole lack the amassed authority required to actively oppress men and deny them their basic rights based on gender. So when someone cries ‘Reverse racism! Female sexism against men!’ they mostly need to be told to stick a boot in it.
On the other hand, I can see how the ‘women only’ thing can seem a bit unfair at times, especially if it has nothing to do with physical strength or biological differences (unlike sporting events and having babies). I’m no fan of ladies’ nights, when women get into bars and nightclubs free of charge while men pay full cover. That’s very unfair and also pretty gross since the only reason establishments do this is so that there’s more tits and asses in the bar for the men to ogle. It degrades both men and women.
Even if female-only races are, at their core, unequal, I still think that entering a race full of women just so you can win is pretty tacky and mean-spirited. Not only does it prevent a woman from garnering that top glory (since she is very unlikely to win an event that includes both sexes), it can take the sheen off that ‘we’re in this doing it together, girls!’ camaraderie that events like these can help foster.
What do you think? Would you be upset if a man entered a women’s running event for the sole purpose of winning, or do you think it’s his prerogative?
NS September 19th, 2010
Yesterday Noble Husband and I sat on a bench together, watching with bemused smiles as our daughter stripped down to her knickers and submerged herself into a large bucket of water in the children’s park we were in for NB’s 2nd birthday celebration. She and another girl, both in only their underwear, had a grand time getting completely soaked and then rolling around in the sand adjacent to the water play area. At one point NG was writhing on the sand, laughing hysterically and making what can only be described as maniacal monkey sounds.
I looked at NH and asked, “Should I go get her to stop or at least put her clothes back on?”
He replied, “Nah. She’s having a good time. I can’t be bothered. Can you?”
“Nah.”
We ‘clinked’ the paper coffee cups we were each holding and exchanged wry glances.
“This idle parenting stuff is great, isn’t it?”
“It really is.”
NS September 17th, 2010
Don’t try saying that three times fast.
So here’s what’s been on my mind:
– My oh-so-dreamy, clever boyfriend, Stephen Fry. I love him more and more each time I read something by or about him. And today he won me over once again with the gleeful revelation that he enjoys being hated by the Daily Mail. This line in particular* caught my attention: “I don’t read it of course: like anyone of education or sense or moral decency I wouldn’t have such a purulent creepy production in the house.”
If Stephen ever decides he’d like a baby with his partner and needs to find a womb pod, I’d volunteer mine for free. Anyone who is that hated by the Daily Mail is a hero in my book. I think we all know how much I despise that rag.
– Jonathan Franzen (of The Corrections fame) has apparently kissed and made up with Oprah after their ‘spat’ nine years ago. In a nutshell, Franzen dismissed Oprah’s Book Club as “schmaltzy” and “one-dimensional” and expressed concerns that male readers would be alienated by the Book Club logo because they associate it with ‘chick lit’.
Now, while I can understand Franzen’s reservations about his novel appearing on such a mainstream book list and think his point about reaching male readers is important (women read far more fiction than men), I still bristle at the idea that because it was mainly women buying Oprah’s suggested books that this meant said books would be taken less seriously. The message seemed to be that either a) female readers are not a desirable fan base, b) a book club by and for women is mainly about light, summer reads and not ‘serious’ fiction, i.e. it is all ‘chick lit’, or c) men being turned off from reading a novel based on a sticker on its cover from a (mainly) women’s book club is a problem with the book club itself, not the men’s (or at least the macho cultural idea that a book promoted by women is less-than and inferior to ones widely read by men).
I’m sure purist book snobs will disagree, but I’m glad to see that he’s embracing the publicity and welcoming the legions of readers he will gain from Oprah’s endorsement. Even though I don’t personally watch or even like her show, I do have a lot of respect for some of the things she’s been able to accomplish, the Book Club among them. Anyone who can get people reading deserves praise and kudos as far as I’m concerned.
– Only one newspaper out of the top 50 in the US had any mention of the winners of last night’s WNBA championship on the front page, and that was in the winning team’s home town. Sigh. Women’s sports and respect…that’s a thin leaflet.
– I’m disappointed that an op-ed on closing the wage gap in the Washington Post today by Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Obama and chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, did not mention the words mothers, maternity or parent(ing) once. Are there really still people who don’t realise that the gender pay gap is mainly a mothers‘ pay gap?
– The pointy-hatted one is here. Yawn.
Finally, this, which I can’t stop watching and listening to, even if I am more than a little jealous of how fabulous this woman looks throughout her pregnancy. Catchy little ditty though!
Magic- A Belly Grows from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.
Enjoy your weekend, folks.
*hat tip to NH
NS September 16th, 2010
After making dinner four nights in a row (a rarity in this house, where Noble Husband prepares 90 per cent of our meals), I seem to have caught the cooking bug. This afternoon I rather joyfully carved up the leftover roast chicken (which was excellent as Tuesday night’s dinner, I must say) and then saved the carcass so I can make stock tomorrow. After that I baked corn bread. I also found myself looking at recipes that I remember drooling over on some of my favourite blogs and excitedly looking forward to trying my hand at a couple this weekend.
I doubt I’ll become Martha/Delia/Nigella/Julia any time soon, but the thought of producing gorgeous, tasty food from fresh ingredients and recipes that I find myself, not rely on NH for, is becoming more and more appealing. I’d like to start making more vegetarian fare and if I’m in control of the kitchen, that’s just what will happen. I’m sure NH is cringing at the thought but he’ll get over it soon enough, especially when what I put in front of him is delicious, healthy and ethical.
Hang on to your hats, family! Mama might just buy an apron this weekend. Now to find out where we keep the saucepans and cookery-type implements…
 |
 |