Why is it alright to demean either sex, because of their gender? Why is it funny or cute for adults to do such things? How is it a vehicle for comics to make a living out of degrading a person for their gender? Do the racism rules apply as is it alright for women to call each other Bitches or the “C” word, just as it is alright for blacks to use the “N” word, but whites are racist? IS it alright for artists to make a living in music reducing women to body parts,or colloquial terms? Where does it begin where does it end, and who is benefiting from the Misogyny speak of our time?

I think this is an issue that runs deep and wide in the arena of human nature, with both genders.I think it is defined by age, class, race and religious/or non-religious upbringing. Much is reflected in how each of these areas either feed into or resist misogyny. Some people are more active in their misogyny acceptance and encouragement than others. The entertainment  industry being the biggest one to advance and reap the benefits from this behavior. Also there are current references used as common terms by the young that many people in other age groups consider misogynist. This leads us to the discussion everywhere today about Rush or Maher; they are both pigs, end of discussion for me. As that is not what this post is about, it is about the misogyny of the Health care Bill regarding women’s reproductive needs being met. I am amazed no one has come at this from this angle, it has been insulting to me from the beginning, as a woman, and not for the advertised, argued about reason. Continue reading →

Yes, today is the 101st Anniversary of International Women’s Day. This is a timely occasion, given the continuing discussions regarding sexism and misogyny as it makes itself manifest in this country, and around the world. As I have discussed numerous times, misogyny continues to rear its ugly head in very public ways in this country, by our politicians, our journalists, our performers, our athletes, our friends, and our family members. Sadly, it is all too rampant, here, and around the world.

Take Afghanistan, for instance. The BBC reported yesterday a very disconcerting move by President Hamid Karzai (or should I say yet another disconcerting move) regarding women (h/t Helenk). Karzai has aligned himself with the Ulema Council there, which has led to this:

Afghanistan’s top religious council has said women should not mix with men in school, work or other aspects of daily life. The Ulema Council has also said that women should not travel without a male relative. The BBC’s Orla Guerin has been hearing reaction to the ruling from people in Kabul.

The comments by senior clerics – which have been welcomed by President Hamid Karzai – were included in a statement outlining the rights and duties of women under Islam.

Human Rights Watch says it is worrying that the Ulema Council has issued this statement, and that President Karzai has backed it.

The council says its comments are a request and a reminder, not an instruction. But critics say the statement is an echo of the Taliban.

Leading woman MP Fawzia Koofi – who survived a Taliban ambush two years ago – has no doubt what the statement means.

“I think it’s the beginning of taking women back to the dark period of the Taliban,” she told the BBC.

“It’s dangerous. It’s an alarm for women in Afghanistan”.[snip] (Click here to read the rest.)

Continue reading →