Today was very interesting, especially since it was after election day (right when I thought I could get away from politics...ha ha). Women in politics is something that not many people talk about in detail, and I know I definitely haven't that much. All that I've ever really heard about the topic has been, "We really need a woman as a president!" Therefore, I've definitely learned a lot in class today and would like to explore this more in depth in the future.
Dr. Plane brought up a lot of good points with his short synopsis of the topic and also things I didn't know before. One thing that really stuck out to me was when he said, "We think of the President as the King, but we don't think of the First Lady as the Queen." That is such an interesting point. For example, Michelle Obama isn't really seen as much more than President Barack Obama's husband. Yes, she's a wonderful woman who does many important things such as bring awareness to childhood obesity, but other than that, she's just a mother. Meanwhile, before Barack became the President of the United States, Michelle was making more money and was more successful than he was. Why has she had to compromise her success? Why isn't she seen as Barack's equal? Guaranteed, the President will inevitably have many more responsibilities than the First Lady (because the President is the one who is the person running the nation and is applying to do so, whereas the First Lady/Man would not be running for anything essentially, at least it's not that way in the U.S.), but maybe, just maybe, we can change that one day. One idea that I entertained in my mind during the presidential debates was why didn't Ann Romney and Michelle Obama have a debate? Not only would we find out more about the candidates through their significant others (partners know the dirtiest and deepest of secrets), but they also could have shared what they would do as the First Lady and how they would contribute to the nation, OTHER THAN being a great wife and mother. Come on, women, we're better than that! Why are we all buying into this patriarchy with pretty dresses, a nice smile, and a polite wave?
Well, let's mess around with society for a little bit by bringing up a very interesting question: what will be the role of the First Man? Would it be different? I'm willing to bet a lot of money that it would be IMMENSELY different. Maybe not noticeably at first, but let's begin from the moment his we'll say wife gets elected as the President of the United States. First off, Fox News would have a lot to talk about. Imagine all the ridicule that President would have to deal with just because she's a woman. It honestly wouldn't matter if she was the biggest right-winged conservative on the planet, she would still be less than a male to a lot of people. That's upsetting. Also, depending on her political affiliation, the other party would definitely brutally bash her to bits. Why? Because the United States today is so, so divided. It's disgusting. One can see this simply on Facebook. My friends from high school (the very few that I still talk to) are most very conservative and identify as Republican. Therefore, after Obama was re-elected, many attacks were made against not only the President, but anyone who supported him, specifically Democrats and "Liberals." The comments get SO bad that they even seem like personal attacks on people like me. It's horrible about how divided America has become. We need to change that. We need to change the way we see a lot of things.
And now, for a last few closing notes that sparked my interest today.
1. JILL BIDEN'S A PRACTICING DOCTOR? How amazingly cool and inspiring! Now why can't Michelle Obama still be a practicing lawyer....or something more than a J. Crew model.....
2. My favorite part of the PowerPoint today was the three requirements for First Ladies/women in politics--Husbands, Hemlines, and Hair. Sounds like the name of a bad musical.
This week has been rough for me. Nervous Breakdown November has taken a tole on me already. I'm pushing through.
Dr. Plane brought up a lot of good points with his short synopsis of the topic and also things I didn't know before. One thing that really stuck out to me was when he said, "We think of the President as the King, but we don't think of the First Lady as the Queen." That is such an interesting point. For example, Michelle Obama isn't really seen as much more than President Barack Obama's husband. Yes, she's a wonderful woman who does many important things such as bring awareness to childhood obesity, but other than that, she's just a mother. Meanwhile, before Barack became the President of the United States, Michelle was making more money and was more successful than he was. Why has she had to compromise her success? Why isn't she seen as Barack's equal? Guaranteed, the President will inevitably have many more responsibilities than the First Lady (because the President is the one who is the person running the nation and is applying to do so, whereas the First Lady/Man would not be running for anything essentially, at least it's not that way in the U.S.), but maybe, just maybe, we can change that one day. One idea that I entertained in my mind during the presidential debates was why didn't Ann Romney and Michelle Obama have a debate? Not only would we find out more about the candidates through their significant others (partners know the dirtiest and deepest of secrets), but they also could have shared what they would do as the First Lady and how they would contribute to the nation, OTHER THAN being a great wife and mother. Come on, women, we're better than that! Why are we all buying into this patriarchy with pretty dresses, a nice smile, and a polite wave?
Well, let's mess around with society for a little bit by bringing up a very interesting question: what will be the role of the First Man? Would it be different? I'm willing to bet a lot of money that it would be IMMENSELY different. Maybe not noticeably at first, but let's begin from the moment his we'll say wife gets elected as the President of the United States. First off, Fox News would have a lot to talk about. Imagine all the ridicule that President would have to deal with just because she's a woman. It honestly wouldn't matter if she was the biggest right-winged conservative on the planet, she would still be less than a male to a lot of people. That's upsetting. Also, depending on her political affiliation, the other party would definitely brutally bash her to bits. Why? Because the United States today is so, so divided. It's disgusting. One can see this simply on Facebook. My friends from high school (the very few that I still talk to) are most very conservative and identify as Republican. Therefore, after Obama was re-elected, many attacks were made against not only the President, but anyone who supported him, specifically Democrats and "Liberals." The comments get SO bad that they even seem like personal attacks on people like me. It's horrible about how divided America has become. We need to change that. We need to change the way we see a lot of things.
And now, for a last few closing notes that sparked my interest today.
1. JILL BIDEN'S A PRACTICING DOCTOR? How amazingly cool and inspiring! Now why can't Michelle Obama still be a practicing lawyer....or something more than a J. Crew model.....
2. My favorite part of the PowerPoint today was the three requirements for First Ladies/women in politics--Husbands, Hemlines, and Hair. Sounds like the name of a bad musical.
This week has been rough for me. Nervous Breakdown November has taken a tole on me already. I'm pushing through.
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