SOME VIRTUAL BITCH SLAPS

One of the more interesting things about living in these times is how many new words, or meaning of old words are introduced every day. Most have always been out there but women seldom heard them because they were relegated to the male domain by our culture. It should come as no surprise that much is derogatory toward women and that it sustains the present cultural edict that females (of any age) are victims and males are superior and powerful.

Now, everything is out in the open -- both figuratively and literally. It was only a few years back that you never heard certain words or certain topics mentioned on the radio or T.V.

Now anything goes. Bare it all is the style and we the audience must bare it all or turn off the media and go surf the WEB. Here we can pick and choose at will and it takes only a flick of the mouse to find just about anything. We can travel anywhere, check out everything and anyone.

T.V. News has just learned via the Pew poll that most people don't trust it, so many go on line for their news. Interesting. Our bet is that most of us are sick of the talking heads and the way reporters tell us what to think as they spin the news to favor their candidates.

On the WEB, we can even send e-mail messages, cards and other greetings, both civil and not so:

http://www.riponsomeone.com/Mass/slap.html     [note]

*Oh yes! How quickly the word girl becomes bitch.*

When crawling becomes tedious, we can always go back to the tube and check out the new wave of insensitivity featuring a group of people on an island whose survival means getting all the others in your group before they get you. Pity, sympathy, decency or human concern has no place here. It's every woman or man for her/himself. Sometimes it all seems so normal -- is this the way it truly is?

We told you about the "play-rape" of a 9-year old girl by three 9-year old boys. The end game here, according to the Associated Press, is just about what one would expect -- boys will be boys. "Officials" have "investigated" the incident. It's all so very "normal" that children should "play" like adults.

It's normal that they should "act out" what they understand is grownup behavior. So the kids were told, in effect, not to do it anymore and the girl was left to think that her treatment was deplorable but that's the way things are, so you just have to expect this to happen all your life.

Michael Feldman, the lawyer for the family of one of the BOYS involved in the "mock rape", praised the prosecutor's decision against pursuing charges. "It could have done irreparable damage to psyches of little children." (He means boys).

The GIRL is left with the lesson that her gender makes her a victim, and that boys and men are strong, powerful and in control.

On the first of July, the Civil Union Law in Vermont takes effect. This law provides same-gender couples nearly all of the benefits and responsibilities of marriage, although it does not allow them to marry. Couples must obtain a license and the process for dissolving a civil union is the same as divorce.

Sure doesn't sound too threatening, does it? None the less, it has incited 16 bishops from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts to join together to oppose this law. These bishops urge Vermont voters to "rectify the situation." They suggest that perhaps the Vermont Constitution must be amended. Nice of them to butt in and tell us what to do.

They contend that "the civil union law is an attack on the well-being of society itself." Thus having proclaimed this on religious grounds, they are poised to exert their influence on the Catholic voters of the state. Carefully covering their intent, they insist that they are not urging the ouster of the elected officials who passed the bill, instead claim that they are just "encouraging Vermont voters, through their legislators, to rectify the situation created by the civil union law.

Here is a flagrant example of a church based political action committee. THIS PAC OF BISHOPS ARE OUT OF LINE. Wonder how they'd feel if we lobbied for the election of a woman pope, and rewriting of a few papal bulls?

It's a rough job, but someone has to do it so here's our final 2 virtual bitch slaps for the folks who are marketing topical testosterone, and for the New York City Police.

"Just spread it on the back of you hand for instant MANpower." This type of application of a dangerous drug invites misuse especially now when incidents of attacks against women are escalating.

Last weekend many women were attacked in New York's Central Park by gangs of young men who pulled off the cloths of some as they video taped them. Others were assaulted, robbed and fondled while the police (N.Y.'s Finest) did nothing even after women who escaped the gang told them of the ongoing attack.

twanda@gendergappers.org  

2000-025

Copyright 2000 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@gendergappers.org.

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