It's a Man's World???

Ignorance breeds Racism and all other prejudices. Let me repeat this phrase: Ignorance breeds Racism and all other prejudices. This is the only statement I have to make in regards to the ignorance that occurred yesterday where some parents yanked their kids out of school (which, I will admit is technically their right). They kept their children home so that they wouldn’t hear a speech given by that guy named Barack Obama who, oh yeah, just happens to be the President of the freaking United States of America. People, get a grip, enough said. Moving on, I can’t let this post go without advising that people watch the president’s address to Congress tonight at 8pm (as always, just flip your tv on, it will be on every major channel). Apparently, my dream plan may actually be coming to fruition (yes “Sally”, dreams do come true!). There will be a Republican response following the president’s address so please check out the alternative plan as well. As I said in my previous post, this is the most crucial step in getting this healthcare reform passed so I’m expecting straight talk, and please don’t forget to define terms such as public option, single payer, coop, etc. “We the people” are the only ones that matter when it comes to this issue because: A. it affects our lives, B. it is our money that will pay for it, and C. we are the boss. We hire and fire politicians in Washington every 2-5 years.

Moving on to the real post, it was announced last week that Diane Sawyer would be taking over from the retiring Charlie Gibson as ABC’s evening news anchor. Thus, 2 of the Big 3 newscasts will be anchored by women. As I heard this news, I was elated to hear that another prominent position has been taken over by a woman. However, I couldn’t help feeling just a tiny bit sad about it as well. Now, we certainly still live in a man’s world. As it stands now, women still have some work to do in the struggle for equal pay and respect in the workplace, but we aren’t far from not only reaching that goal but overtaking it. There are some studies out there that state by the year 2020, 2/3 of the college population will be female. The statistics are staggering. Even more interesting is how this economic down turn has adversely affected men. A large percentage of job losses have occurred in male dominated employment sectors such as the automobile industry and construction which begs the question: what is happening to our social structure?

Some years back, my college room mate told me that the gender roles are reversing. Men are becoming more like women, and women are becoming more like men. This statement certainly couldn’t be truer today (Vibeless, who knew you could be so clairvoyant?). Currently, my favorite television show is Mad Men (if you are desperate for a show with clever writing, this is the show for you). Mad Men is set during America’s turbulent 60’s. I won’t go into detail about the show, but it is about an advertising agency during this time. I am often fascinated by the females on this show. From the Betty Crocker housewife (whose name ironically is Betty) to the corporate climbing female at the ad agency, you can’t help but be enraptured by their silent strength and horrified by the terrible treatment dealt to them by men. Many women were virtually second class citizens everywhere including their homes, and my how the times have changed. This structure with men on top is quickly deteriorating. It is truly a whole new day. My only hope is that women will choose to show men more respect (i.e. not emasculate, degrade, or abuse them) than they have shown us all of these years.