January, 2021 and we are about to install (inaugurate) the first female Vice President of the United States. 20 freakin' 21 before the US is ready to formalize what should have been routine a long time ago. We believe we are so progressive, but some still fear women in positions of power. A heartbeat from the Presidency - ooh. If we did not believe it before, except for females who have faced the backlash of the insecure, the insurrection of January 6 featuring an preponderance of white men certainly illustrated a certain faction that craves such a society, either openly or covertly.
I don't negate the horrific fact that a woman was shot and killed due to her actions and there were some women in the crowd; but basically the crowd was the old status quo of jacked-up dudes. One of whom gave himself a heart attack by repeatedly tasing himself in the crotch. No further comment needed.
I also shudder at the image of the "Christian" flags present that were later used to beat people. Religion is another area where men are dominant especially in the Catholic world. Women are the housekeepers, servants to the men and "runners of bake sales". I find it interesting that some of the countries doing the best under pandemic conditions like Germany, New Zealand, Denmark, Taiwan and Finland are headed by women. They reacted and locked down sooner than others, including our much-maligned Michigan governor. Ah well. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger as they say.
However, I do not believe those yahoos speak for most men who are not intimidated by the "skirt" being in charge. (No doubt due to the company that I keep) The most competent should lead be they black, white, male, female, straight or something else. The attacks on a woman when certain people feel threatened are usually personal critiquing appearance or demeanor. We don't usually call out McConnell as "toad-like" (appearance) but for his intractability. We don't fault ambition and insistence on being noticed as unbecoming and aggressive when discussing a male's actions. Shrill or passionate or not good under stress are the labels women receive when we are making a difference in the dynamic. Good feedback so can't complain.
I did not realize how back"ass"wards our thinking was when I was growing up as Mother always treated the boys and girls the same. I have rediscovered the original Star Trek series recently which I looked forward to every week back in the 60's. Loved my Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, but I also liked the way there was always a moral in each story. Yes, I know the backgrounds were primitive and the acting was "over the top", but I noticed something else with my 2021 enlightened eyes. Why in the hell were the women dressed in mini-skirts and go-go boots? They're supposed to "kick ass" when the circumstances warrant which revealed little shorts underneath. What self-respecting female member of the military would be caught on duty with a skirt barely covering her derriere.
There is also an underlying "judgement" of the women by the "guys"/fellow officers who rate their looks and marital prospects. Totally did not see that as a 16-year old high school student watching the show! Outside of Uhura, the communications officer, who could snap orders and dominate, the women onboard basically showed up with clip boards for the men to sign or were used as romantic foils. Even when the protagonists were women, they were always impeccably dressed and used feminine wiles to cause their chaos. Anyway it gives me a whole new perspective on the show.
Of course part of it was a sign of the times. Mini-skirts and go-go boots were the fashion mode. I myself sported the same. However in the days before panty hose were easily and ecnomically available, there was a "whole lot of tuggin' going on" to keep things reasonably covered. Coupled with the fact that the school dress code did not allow the ladies to wear slacks until 1970 a year after I graduated!
The lack of power and the perception of never being able to achieve the highest levels keeps people enmeshed in hopelessness that their dreams may not be worth pursuing. A highly capable former Prosecutor,State Attorney General, Senator and now Vice President-elect is about to assume the second highest position in the country who also happens to be is black, asian and female. That may indicate we are not quite so hopeless and change can happen.
Congratulations Vice President Kamala Harris. Long may you wave.
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