Feminism.....or Nit Pickism.....

I've never considered myself much of a feminist, but going back to graduate school in Adult Education opened my eyes to a lot of imbalance in the professional, educational, and social worlds. Perhaps going back to graduate school in ANY field would have served the same purpose, but I'm not going to pursue another degree just to find out.

Some things still manage to raise my hackles, though, and when I find myself hackle-raised I have to wonder, "Is this really a cause? Or am I just finding something about which to nitpick?" It's possible that I go around just looking for things with which I can disagree just so I'll have blog fodder. Not likely, but possible.

The publication associated with a cycling organization of which I am a member had an article in its January issue that was devoted solely to women in cycling. Good for them. While the numbers are becoming more and more equal, cycling (and many outdoor activities, I assume) is still a male-dominated sport. The cover of the publication featured a group shot of all the women included in the issue, and each one had space for her own individual story. They range widely in age and professions, and I think the editor did a good job of including women from a broad swath of society.

The stories didn't bother me. (Except for the fact that I wasn't asked to contribute mine, and I am a semi-regular contributor of articles for this publication. What's up with THAT?)

The pictures DID bother me.

This is the one from the cover. Can anyone figure out what bothers me about this picture? (Think: feminism)

How about some of the individual shots?

The one below bothered me in particular, because I know her. I don't know if it's the fact that I know her that bothers me most, or if it's the pose she's in. Or if it's the fact that she's wearing heels and standing on top of ... liquor kegs?

I don't think it's a coincidence that these women all showed up wearing high heels and cocktail dresses (except for one who wore a pantsuit). I can just imagine the way the call came from the editor:

"We want you to wear something sexy, and oh yeah, bring your bike, because we want to take a picture of you WITH your bike, wearing something sexy."

I should point out here that the editor of this publication is a woman. I think sometimes women commit the most egregious gaffes related to feminism, because sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking if it doesn't offend US personally, then it probably won't offend the REST of the women in the world. I think we forget to step back and see how any situation affects or represents women as a group.

I get what they were going after. I think. I assume they wanted to point out the contrast in our "feminist" side and our love for a physical, outdoor activity. "Look at us, we can look sexy but still kick your ass climbing a hill without standing up OR using the lowest gears."

I can't help wonder, though, what they might have asked the men to wear if they had decided to do an issue about men cyclists. "Wear your lumberjack clothes, because we want to point out the contrast between your manly side and the cyclist side of you that wears spandex." Or would they have asked them to wear suits and ties? Or tuxedos?

Sigh.

So tell me the truth. I can take it.

I think.

Am I allowing my inner feminist to show through?

Or am I just nitpicking, possibly expressing sour grapes because I wasn't included?

And perhaps most importantly:

If I HAD been included and the call had come asking me to wear my sexiest dress and high heels and bring my bike for the photo shoot...

...what would my answer have been?

I Got an "F" in Feminism 101.......

Before I get blasted for this post, let me be clear: I DO believe in equal rights for women, equal pay for equal work, all that jazz. Obviously I believe women ought to be able to serve in the military (duh), and if they are capable and willing to fight on the front lines, more power to them. I cheered for Sally Ride (although I was extremely jealous). I said I was going to wear a tuxedo to my senior prom (I didn't).

All that being said, I fail miserably at being a true feminist.

First of all, what's the deal with the toilet seat debate?

He needs it up; he has to put it up. (And I'm glad he does.)

I need it down; I put it down. I don't see why one person should ALWAYS be responsible for leaving it in a convenient state for the other person.

I understand the argument from women who have fallen into the toilet in the dark of night because they didn't realize the seat was still up.

Really, shouldn't ONCE be enough for that to happen? Hubby and I don't typically share a toilet at home (I just heard a resounding "AHA! No wonder she doesn't understand!" from the masses), but when we are out of town we do. When we were in Jamaica last week (can it really be that long ago already?), it was pitch black in our room. When I had to go to the bathroom in the night or early morning, I knew to FEEL for the seat to make sure it wasn't still up. I am proud to say I didn't fall into the toilet a single time.

Personally, I'd rather save my energy for arguing about things that really matter. Like whether or not to tear out a wall, move our bedroom, and do major renovation on our house just to accommodate a USED bedroom suit that Hubby decided he had to have.

The college football bowl season has earned me another failing grade in feminism.

I don't like women announcers for football games.

It's not that I don't believe women are intelligent enough to understand the game of football. It's like I challenged a man on a bike ride one time when he remarked that I "know a lot about football .... for a woman." I asked him what body part it takes to understand football, a brain? or a penis? I think it embarrassed Katydid, but at least the man got up and left us to watch the football game in peace.

I don't mind the women sideline reporters too much, even though they ask some of the dumbest questions I've ever heard.

Holly: Coach, what does your team need to do in the second half to win this game?

If I were the coach, I would respond: Oh, I don't know, Holly. Maybe score more points? Keep them from scoring points? Just where DID you go to college? (I was going to insert a few choice sarcastic schools here, but I don't want to risk offending any of my loyal readers.)

Of all the sideline reporters, Erin Andrews is my absolute favorite. She was my favorite long before she became a household name because some psycho stalker secretly videotaped her naked in her hotel room. Still, I don't think I could stand to hear her call an entire football game.

I don't think it's even a matter of gender. I just hate their voices. They are often whiny, and they become piercing when they get a little excited. They can't help it; their voices just go up a few octaves.

Please don't leave me hate comments. I realize I am an embarrassment to my gender.

Just What DO You Drive a Truck With...........?

Since we bought the motorhome, I have run into a few people who are amazed that I can drive it.

To be honest, I was a little bit hesitant at first, but that was the result of a bad experience with a 24-foot rental truck coming home from BRAG one year.

On that occasion, I ran into the same situation. When I stopped for gas, two different people asked me -- Are you by YOURSELF?

Granted, I had just about taken out a gas pump (or two) because I wasn't used to driving anything that big, and I very nearly put non-diesel gasoline in the truck, but both those people seemed to be implying that a little lady shouldn't be driving a big old truck without .... a MAN.

Are these people suggesting, albeit probably unwittingly, that it requires a PENIS to drive a truck?

Ever since the invention of power steering, we're not talking about needing brute strength to drive a larger vehicle. All that is required is the ability to see over the steering wheel (okay, so I just BARELY meet that minimum requirement) and to use the side mirrors. I think I'm excellent at using the side mirrors, both the large ones and the smaller ones. Until it comes to backing in somewhere, but that's neither here nor there. Maybe.

Next weekend I'm taking the RV to a weekend bicycle ride ALL BY MYSELF, and I am shocked at the number of people who are shocked.

Really? What is it about me personally that makes them think I can't handle driving the RV 123 miles all by myself? Is it just because I lack a penis?

I'm by no means a raging feminist -- a sort-of feminist who rages about other things from time to time maybe -- but I resent it when people act as if women shouldn't do some things that are better left to men. Like driving an RV or a truck. Or following football.

Besides, I know some folks WITH penises who aren't so good at driving. They might not live in this house, but I know 'em.