How do we deal with Females who actively attempted to dismantle the Rights of Women?
By Lauren
Batchelder, Femalista, March 22, 2018
As the
end of Women’s History Month draws nearer, I think it is imperative to examine
the lives of women whose ideas are hard to reconcile with. How do we deal with
females who actively attempted to dismantle the rights of women and what can we
take away from their lives?
end of Women’s History Month draws nearer, I think it is imperative to examine
the lives of women whose ideas are hard to reconcile with. How do we deal with
females who actively attempted to dismantle the rights of women and what can we
take away from their lives?
I have
never agreed with Conservative icon and anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly who is
famous for making statements such as, “Sexual harassment on the job is not a
problem for virtuous women” and “Sex education classes are like in-home sales
parties for abortions.”
never agreed with Conservative icon and anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly who is
famous for making statements such as, “Sexual harassment on the job is not a
problem for virtuous women” and “Sex education classes are like in-home sales
parties for abortions.”
In fact,
I could never like someone who is most famous for playing a decisive part in
defeating the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1970s. I admit, Phyllis
Schlafly was a force of nature. She graduated college in just three years and
went on to receive her law degree in 1978.
I could never like someone who is most famous for playing a decisive part in
defeating the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1970s. I admit, Phyllis
Schlafly was a force of nature. She graduated college in just three years and
went on to receive her law degree in 1978.
As
reported by the New York Times, during her wedding ceremony, “Mrs. Schlafly
said, she did not promise to obey, only to cherish” which was incredibly
progressive for a time when women were expected to stay at home and listen
attentively to their husbands. I respect her for having such a strong sense of
self, even if only years later she became an advocate for maintaining classic
gender roles and was vocal in her disgust for members of the LGBT community
even after it was revealed that she had a gay grandson.
reported by the New York Times, during her wedding ceremony, “Mrs. Schlafly
said, she did not promise to obey, only to cherish” which was incredibly
progressive for a time when women were expected to stay at home and listen
attentively to their husbands. I respect her for having such a strong sense of
self, even if only years later she became an advocate for maintaining classic
gender roles and was vocal in her disgust for members of the LGBT community
even after it was revealed that she had a gay grandson.
Many
people seemed to share my dislike for Ms. Schlafly. After she died in
2016 the internet began to rejoice over her death. Jeb Lund of Rolling Stone
wrote bluntly saying Schlafly was the “spawn of Satan and had gone to Hell to
spend eternity with her master.” People tweeted “Ding Dong the witch is dead”
and some promised to throw parties during her funeral.
people seemed to share my dislike for Ms. Schlafly. After she died in
2016 the internet began to rejoice over her death. Jeb Lund of Rolling Stone
wrote bluntly saying Schlafly was the “spawn of Satan and had gone to Hell to
spend eternity with her master.” People tweeted “Ding Dong the witch is dead”
and some promised to throw parties during her funeral.
Indeed,
many have called her the female version of Donald Trump. Her extreme anti
feminist views were even more confusing due to her being a woman. After all,
how can any female not support feminism, which is just the belief that women
are equal to men? Yet, I still feel the need to recognize her ability to
thrive on the world stage, even as she advocated the importance of women
existing only in the private sphere.
many have called her the female version of Donald Trump. Her extreme anti
feminist views were even more confusing due to her being a woman. After all,
how can any female not support feminism, which is just the belief that women
are equal to men? Yet, I still feel the need to recognize her ability to
thrive on the world stage, even as she advocated the importance of women
existing only in the private sphere.
Phyllis
Schlafly taught me toleration and the importance of listening to everyone, even
members of the human race who are filled with an inconceivable amount of hate.
Opponents of this woman did not always give her the courtesy afforded to all
people. Frequently those who vehemently opposed her ideas took such extreme
measures to express their disgust. Not surprisingly, she was met with violent
protesters and numerous death threats.
Schlafly taught me toleration and the importance of listening to everyone, even
members of the human race who are filled with an inconceivable amount of hate.
Opponents of this woman did not always give her the courtesy afforded to all
people. Frequently those who vehemently opposed her ideas took such extreme
measures to express their disgust. Not surprisingly, she was met with violent
protesters and numerous death threats.
There was
a time when I would have fought against Schlafly. Her extreme ideologies
negatively affected the lives of women and her battle against creating a nation
of equality for men, women and those who refuse to be categorized by gender was
deplorable. And yet, as Harper Lee wrote, “It’s never an insult to be called
what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is,
it doesn’t hurt you.” There’s always going to be a Phyllis Schlafly. There will
always be a human being determined to oppress others. I want to learn from her
mistakes, choosing instead to focus on raising women up instead of tearing them
down.
a time when I would have fought against Schlafly. Her extreme ideologies
negatively affected the lives of women and her battle against creating a nation
of equality for men, women and those who refuse to be categorized by gender was
deplorable. And yet, as Harper Lee wrote, “It’s never an insult to be called
what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is,
it doesn’t hurt you.” There’s always going to be a Phyllis Schlafly. There will
always be a human being determined to oppress others. I want to learn from her
mistakes, choosing instead to focus on raising women up instead of tearing them
down.
Ultimately
during this Women’s History Month, it is important not to forget these women
who do not support the advancement and empowerment of others. They offer us
lessons on how to be better feminists and how to live best as citizens of the
world.
during this Women’s History Month, it is important not to forget these women
who do not support the advancement and empowerment of others. They offer us
lessons on how to be better feminists and how to live best as citizens of the
world.
