I wish "women's issues" would become human issues. I'm tired of women being blamed for rape. I'm tired of women being blamed when contraception fails. I'm really, really angry about the sexual abuse of children. I'd like to see men and boys better educated on their responsiblities (and their rights).
I wish there were more positive role models for girls in the media. I'm tired of identifying with male characters, or with no characters at all, because female characters are flat, stereotyped, or non-existent. I am horrified at the pornification of nearly everything just to make a few bucks.
I wish my liberal, progressive brethern would examine their participation in and support of sexism. I've thought this long before last week's Ann Coulter bashing. The other night my boyfriend declared himself a feminist. Yet, when I was upset about being harassed on the street, his response was, "Well, you are a good looking woman," and excused the harassers. I'm tired of "boys will boys" excuses and "why can't you take a joke?" and "oh, I would never say that about you, honey." The fact that K. honestly, unironically applied the term "feminist" to himself is a glimmer of hope in what for me looks like a bleak landscape. I'd like more men to declare themselves feminists, and then actually walk the walk and talk the talk.
These are only three wishes. I have a lot more. They get complicated, though, and I haven't had time to hash them all out. It's taken me an hour just to get this. Some dinner would probably help...
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