Because I have a daughter: a beautiful, strong, talented, funny daughter who makes me so proud with her determination to always stand up for what she believes in, even when it means taking the unpopular line (or disagreeing with her mother). Not only does she stand up for things, but she educates herself to the issues so that her decisions are ethical and informed.
Because I have sons. Strong individuals, each in their own way, who are growing into young men I will always be proud of and who need to see me standing up for what I believe in so that they continue to know it’s okay for them to do so, too.
Because I am a woman who has many times heard the term ‘rampant feminist’ and other derisive terms directed towards women who stand up for stuff – and who has often thought ‘thank goodness I’m not one of them’. And because I’ve gradually come to realise that I’d been conned into thinking that fighting for women’s rights has somehow gone too far.
Because I’m the mother of those six children who finished breastfeeding them more than ten years ago – and still hear that women should cover up or find somewhere more appropriate.
Because I cheered the day our Prime Minister was voted in (that’s right, she was endorsed by her fellow Labor government members of parliament), glad that finally a woman could take the top job in our country. And because I just couldn’t have imagined the misogynistic rubbish that she would endure as PM.
Because restaurants publish menus (which they do or don’t use) attacking her very femininity, because radio announcers question the sexuality of her life partner, and because her cleavage is somehow a hot topic – or even a topic at all.
Because other women – and men, too – still tell me that her rise to power was somehow different than many man male politicians (apparently the Prime Minister invented back room manoeuvrings because she’s a woman – no man had ever done similar).
And because today a female radio announcer, in complete defiance of logic, suggested we boycott a woman author’s books because she was apparently a victim of domestic violence and must set an example to us all. *
I must stand up and say it: I AM AN ANGRY WOMAN.
Enough Australia!
(PS: As children’s book author I’ve often been scared of talking about such issues on this blog. And yet, in a lightbulb moment I realised this morning that it is also because I’m a children’s book author that I MUST say something. I write for those children because I want to make their world a better place. How can it be better if I don’t stand up for what I see is wrong?)
* Update: Because I blogged in anger I confess to having made an error here and so have edited this line . The broadcaster made the comments on a blog, here.
Hi Sally,
came accross your blog when looking at your old reviews of my picturebooks online and felt I must follow up. I heartily agree with you and am glad to hear others do as well. I have been concerned for some time that younger women have been led to believe that sexism and feminism are now irrelevant and old-fashioned:
"the price of freedom is eternal vigilance".
Good on you Sal. Am in total agreement! Missed the cleavage story. Can only imagine. What a week for Julia. She is resilience personified.
Beth, your daughter is very very wise. And yes, our PM is a very strong woman.
Well said Sally! I find it so extreme – it's like living in a political cartoon! My teenage daughter said last week, "We havent come very far have we?' It's still a world of men putting women down simply for being women." God she's tough – our Julia. I admire her more than ever.
I agree, Virginia, but this present situation has little to do with the political situation and everything to do with the treatment of women. Regardless of political leanings, everyone should be aghast at the way our Prime Minister – and other women – are being treated. Sexism aimed at the PM is a sign of the endemic sexism aimed at women all over Australia.
increase
The situation is dire. Julia has done a good job – but with the help of the Greens as well. One thing we can all do it to help the Greens continue to hold the balance of power in the Senate, to protect us a little from Abbott!
Well said Sally! I understand and share your anger completely.
Thanks for commenting ladies. I should clarify that I said listeners, but it was actually on a blog post. She 'told' Nigella that if she wants us to buy her books she has to set an example by doing more publicly about what happened. You'll find the link
Sally, I've missed something here. Who is the female journalist urging the boycotting of a book?
I'm more confused than angry although I dont begrudge you an anger. Rest assured most of us men see women who speak their minds, who have an education, who have balls (for want of a better word) as the kind of women we desire. Ive never known a life where my partner has been anything less than my equal. I dont see how being a 'strong' woman is a disadvantage in anyway. The bimbo in