Women's Anger

[femrap]

I rarely watch TV, but today my neighbor called me and said that BO was going to make a speech regarding Jeremiah Wright so I turned on MSNBC. Nancy Giles, who I think is brilliant, said something that got me to thinking.

It was about Geraldine Ferraro. She said she was taken aback by the 'anger and bitterness' of Geraldine.

Are women allowed to be angry? No one sees any reason for her to be angry? Jeremiah Wright's anger is allowed.

Geraldine Ferraro is 72 years old...she has seen what many young women today have never seen...for example, if a woman became pregnant, she was fired from her job. Women were denied credit...I am 55 years old and when I came out of college, I couldn't get credit either. When my girlfriend got pregnant at the age of 16, she had to fly to Mexico for an abortion. She was lucky her parents had money. In college, when my girlfriend got pregnant, she had to drive to NY. Good thing her boyfriend's family had money.

The violence committed against women in today's culture is unacceptable to me and Geraldine Ferraro. That rapes are rarely prosecuted speaks volumes to how women are perceived by our culture. It is simply acceptable that women are raped and beaten. That's a woman's lot in life. We're still debating abortion and Roe v. Wade hangs by a thread.

I'm angry. And I don't think my anger is any less important than Jeremiah Wright's anger.

No wonder women suffer from clinical Depression so much more than males....their anger is denied and turned inward resulting in Depression.

[Ellen Forradalom]

1. Women's anger is still the big no-no

We're castrating domineering feminazi bitches who will die broke and alone if we allow our smiles to crack, doncha know.

[DawgHouse]

2. Women are definitely judged more harshly for showing anger.

We are taught as little girls that showing anger is unladylike and rude while boys are (generally) taught that anger is justifiable is some cases. If the male boss throws a fit, he is seen as strong and passionate. If the female boss does it, she's "out of control". And yes, this definitely is a major cause of depression and anxiety in women, IMO.

[femrap]

3. I would like to get an address for Geraldine and

write her a note...just to let her know that I appreciate her anger. I appreciate she spoke up for HRC and other women.

And BO let's the sexist behavior of the press, his staff, the Dem Party continue without comment...so he comes out as the 'good guy.'

After listening to him discuss his white grandmother today, I believe he has not only issues with whites, but specifically with women. By his joining a church that is Afro-centric, he seems to be erasing and running from his white heritage...this part of his family did not abandon him as his father did. But this seems to count for little...maybe in his mind he feels that it is the responsibility of the mother for the care of children while the males of the culture are to go out to experience the world???

I don't trust him...I don't think he likes women as equals. He may want unity among races, but I don't see unity between the genders. If I feel this way, I know other women feel this too. And we're not to feel angered by this? Read Michelle's interview in Vanity Fair of 12/07...she was angry too.

[LostinVA]

5. I agree with you about Obama and women

You can see it in his body language, even ignoring what he says.

[bliss_eternal]

8. Hey femrap...

I tried to compose a response to you late last night--but have been fighting headaches on and off (sinus infection), and much of what I wrote didn't seem to make sense. :crazy:

I really wanted to comment on BO's racial issues (you brought up), as it's something I tried to discuss in the interracial, multi-racial forum a while back.

I checked out of following the primaries a while ago, so my comments are based solely on what I read here, and more specifically your post.

Suffice to say, It wouldn't surprise me at all if BO had issues with women. It also wouldn't surprise me if he had more issues involving one aspect of his heritage, as opposed to the other. If and when I can form my thoughts, I'll try to say more later. lol. :hi:

[femrap]

12. These primaries are over....the Elites have Divided

and Conquered us. I think the Fascists have won. I wish I were French....as in French Fries, French Bread, or French Kissed.

I'm not optimistic...but I always feel better when I talk with women like you!!!! Hope you're feeling better. I got over the flu a week or so ago....ugh!

[bliss_eternal]

14. Thank you!

:hug: Sorry you had the flu, hope you're all better now.

I'm discouraged to hear the Elites are dividing, and little progress will come from this whole thing (sigh). For so many to go on about what a 'historic' race this was it's sad that it seems to have only allowed for people to revisit (and renew) the history of sexism and bigotry. :(

[raccoon]

4. Anger gives people power; therefore, only the powerful are allowed to show anger.

I think anger is the reason a lot of women in the 1950's-'60's were on tranquillizers for years, and I'm sure that is happening today too, though today the women would more likely be on antidepressants. I know there are many people who NEED antidepressants, but I wonder how often the husband/SO/family doesn't like to hear a woman being crabby, so they tell her she needs to go to the doctor and get antidepressants or transquillizers.

[femrap]

6. It seems that when a woman shows anger,

the response is, 'She must need therapy or pills.' And if a woman isn't self-assured enough to defend her anger, she begins to doubt and for relief, she just may go for the pills.

I rather miss tranquillizers...they were handed out like candy back in the '70's and '80's as well. I would take a half when I couldn't get to sleep and I wasn't groggy the next day like with sleeping pills.

A righteously angry woman can also scare the hell out of people, too. Maybe because it is so rare these days.

[bliss_eternal]

7. It's distressing when women doctors buy into this crap.

While going through a health challenge, I decided to see a female naturopath. Long story short, she got fired for treating the issues she saw as problematic for me, instead of the issues I wanted to address.

One of the ways I discovered this was in her choice of questions in a follow up visit.

Clueless doctor--"So, how's the indignation?"

Me--"Excuse me?"

Clueless doctor--"...the anger?"

Me--"Um....what?!"

Clueless doctor--"Uh...well, have you been angry lately?"

Me--"Well, let's see...It pisses me off that my doctor is more concerned with MY ANGER, than w/my physical issues. It also troubles me that a doctor that deals with 'the whole person' wouldn't GET that my anger could be attributed to the fact that I don't fucking feel well!!!"

:wtf:

[spooky3]

9. I'M PISSED

to see that all of you are right about this!

[bliss_eternal]

10. lol...

:hi:

[spooky3]

11. hi bliss!

:hi:

[bliss_eternal]

13. hi spooky3!

:hi: Good to see you!

[femrap]

15. I have an evangelical, born-again aunt

who drives me nuts...she told me that my anger would kill me. I told her it was the one thing keeping me alive!

One benefit of having an aunt like her is that she keeps me posted on they are doing politically.

[Der Blaue Engel]

16. You've reminded me of a poem I wrote once for my girlfriend

after we'd had a long online chat about how angry we were all the time and how we felt like there was something wrong with us (disclaimer: I am not a poet...lol):

I Am An Angry Woman
Who has tried to stuff it down
and pretend this fury's self-directed
and believed the charnel of my father's faith
and believed the shame was mine, overribbed

I Am An Angry Woman
Who has been silent when noise was needed
who has been loud without melody
and hears only whispers in her sleep
and cannot make the wind pass through her pipe

I Am An Angry Woman
but I am not angry with you
who soothes my rage
and my brow
and draws the ache from my well till I am spilling over

October 1996

[bliss_eternal]

17. Nice work.

:thumbsup: I like it!

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. I know just how you feel.

:thumbsup:

[femrap]

19. Thx for sharing....

:applause: