October 31, 2006 @ 7:19 am | Category: Pop Culture, Pot Luck, media
Oprah Winfrey, the prophet (or is it profit?) of materialism continues to spread her message of salvation through material gain. This is a more blatant version of the prosperity gospel where we all aspire to acquire cashmere sweaters to soothe our shaking self-esteem. This time it appears so worthwhile when wrapped in the plight of the needy. She’s giving $1000 debit cards to 300 of her audience to be used for charitable purposes. According to Winfrey,“Imagine the love and kindness you can spread with $1,000.” We all know that money can solve many problems but lack of love is not one them.
Is it any wonder that in a society that equates money with love that we have such high consumer debt? Feeling unloved? Go shopping! That’s why we believe that poverty is only the lack of money. If only it was that simple. Poverty and human suffering require a much more radical solution than a debit card.
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October 24, 2006 @ 8:14 pm | Category: gender/feminism, global issues, spirituality/religion
I just returned from a conference on women in religion. It was the usual (and dull) gathering of academics and activists who are beating their heads against the wall as they attempt to make their respective religions a little more woman-friendly. Their basis for doing so is that whether it’s your Koran, Bible, Torah or some other sacred text, women insist that these very different forms of holy scripture are not anti-woman. Rather, it is male interpretation that is the problem in all religions. It’s astounding that women, regardless of tradition, express the same challenges. Only a Jewish theologian dared to question the text itself rather than mere interpretation. Beyond this, there was a general sense of cluelessness among these religious progressives who can’t bring themselves to admit that when it comes to religion worldwide things are going backwards in regards to women. The new Christianities and Islamic fundamentalists movements that are growing are more, not less, conservative on the issue of gender. The tide is going the wrong way. Maybe this is why so much time was spent talking about the “good old days” when women appear more heroic.
What are we to do? First, let’s be realistic about the change that has occured. For every woman who makes it to CEO there are millions who can’t even read. In other words, let’s get a global perspective on women not just our western, urban and affluent ones. Second, let’s understand that women are part of the problem. No, it’s not blaming the victim its just recognizing our responsiblity. By seeing women as responsible and able partners in the world maybe we can begin to make small incremental changes. Third, let’s recognize how fragile our priveleged position is and return to old-fashion “consciousness raising.” No, I don’t mean those silly gynecological exercises of the ’70s. I mean becoming aware how we dehumanize ourselves. As one Muslim woman asked, “Why do you regard the veil and not a Victoria’s Secret ad as oppressive to women?” Good question.
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October 8, 2006 @ 12:27 pm | Category: body, gender/feminism, politics
There has been a scholarly disagreement over the 19th century suffragist Susan B. Anthony’s position on abortion. Now that disagreement promises to become a full-fledged political battle between pro-life and pro-choice forces over who will claim her as their rightful foremother. Leading the way for the pro-life claim over Anthony is Feminists for Life who depict Anthony as their historical spokewoman for “core feminist principles” of justice, nonviolence and nondiscrimination. The other side is set to launch a rhetorical campaign to “save” Anthony from her own history and the people she fought all her life– “social conservatives”. Battles like this highlights the particular problem of setting our contemporary arguments within a historical context. Whatever Anthony’s views were, the reasons for those views have to be seen in the context of her time and the battle she waged. In the end, the truth about Susan B. Anthony and that early feminists couldn’t even imagine their work outside their religious faith is likely to get lost.
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