I have tried and tried to avoid writing on this topic. But every single day (multiple times a day) I am reminded of a book that continues to gain momentum and popularity and I just have to get it out (my thoughts on it, that is.)
But before I do, let me say this. I am one of those women whose blood pressure rises and teeth clench whenever I see evidences of sexism…anywhere.
In the home.
At the office.
In entertainment (and I use that term loosely.)
I have no problem raising my voice against pornography, strip clubs, prostitution, and the like.
In that way, I’m like almost every other woman I know.
I treat men with respect and I expect the same from them.
However, given the growing trend of women who are devouring Fifty Shades of Grey, I am in the minority.
I have zero desire or interest to pick up a book that demeans, demoralizes, uses, and abuses women in the most intimate settings and calls it entertainment.
I just can’t figure out why so many women are reading and recommending it?
My point here is this…
If women want to be taken seriously when they start complaining about obvious sexism in their world, then these same women need to be consistent by not supporting (by buying/reading/discussing) works that demean women (even in the guise of what some term sophisticated literature.)
I read a while back an insightful statement by author Gary Thomas which has stuck with me and which I’ve shared with my friends and kids and colleagues.
When women raise the standard of what they will and will not accept (in their culture, workplace, and home) then the men in their lives will be forced to raise the bar of their own behavior if they (the men) want to be with women of quality.
So here’s to women who know what real strength is…and impart that knowledge (by their words and example) to girls and young women across our country.
