Amazing Gloria Steinem

[Madspirit]

Conversations with
Amazing Women:
Gloria Steinem
by Marianne Schnall


http://www.feminist.com/resources/artspeech/interviews/gloriasteinem.html

excerpt of one question...

MS: What do you think are the biggest challenges that women face today?

GS: Whatever each individual woman is facing; only she knows her biggest challenge. However, if we add up the problems that affect the biggest numbers of women, then issues having to do with physical safety and reproduction are still the biggest. Female bodies are still the battleground, whether that means restricting freedom, birth control and safe abortion in order to turn them into factories, or abandoning female infants because females are less valuable for everything other than reproduction. If you add up all the forms of gynocide, from female infanticide and genital mutilation to so-called honor crimes, sex trafficking, and domestic abuse, everything, we lose about 6 million humans every year just because they were born female. That’s a holocaust every year. It makes sense that reproductive freedom is still the biggest issue – because the reason females got in this jam in the first place was because the patriarchal state or religion or family wanted to control reproduction -- to decide how many workers, how many children the nation needs, and who owned them in systems of legitimacy -- or even outright slavery. The International Labor Organization says there are about 12 million people living in literal slavery around the world, and 80 percent of them are women and girls.

[musette_sf]

1. K&R

:hug: thanks for posting this, gloria is wonderful.

[Madspirit]

2. I also love your avatar....Ann...n/t

[musette_sf]

7. i had the pleasure of voting for her

against Chucklenuts. of course she couldn't beat the Rovian "math". she is a great hero to me.

[Madspirit]

17. The happiest I've been

...here in my home state of Texas, is the one term she was governor. Ann...RIP.
Lee

[Kurovski]

3. K&R.

"...Lately, I’ve also been seeing history in more realistic layers. I’ve come to realize that the ancient cultures – the original cultures, which account for 95% of human time on earth – were gender-balanced and balanced with nature. If it happened before, it can happen again."

[Madspirit]

4. Self_Kick...n/t

[tblue37]

5. Selfless kick. (eom/LOL)

[Iris]

6. 6 million humans - an excellent responce to anti-choice folks who want

to add up and mourn the number of abortions every year. 6 million far outnumbers the group they are concerned about.

[rasputin1952]

8. What a remarkably intelligent statement...

I am duly impressed...:woohoo:

[Morgana LaFey]

13. You get nothin' BUT intelligence -- and insight -- from Gloria

She is one of my all-time heroes. Changed the world, she did (with a little help from her friends).

[rasputin1952]

15. I have to agree...she is one remarkable person...

:D

[femrap]

27. She is truly amazing.....

A personal story...right before the '04 Election, Gloria visited Ohio (she was born and raised in Toledo). She wanted to get women out there voting for Kerry. Anyway, after her speech, I approached her for her autograph and she graciously did so...even though there was a mob of people around her. But what she said was: 'In this situation, I ask you to give me your autograph...you are very important.'

Well....that just blew me away....I was just dumbfounded. She laughed and said, 'that's OK...I'll get it another time.' She is so against any type of hierarchy.

Another story: During the Q & A, a young mother asked her if Kerry didn't win should she move her family to Canada? And Gloria said: 'You know countries do go backwards sometimes. Teresa Heinz and I were talking about S. Africa where she had lived when apartheid went into effect. But look how that country has turned around. We need people to stay and stand up for justice and democracy.'

Gloria is so wise. I remember at the time thinking that there is no way that W could win...but he stole it. And it has been nothing but a backward walk for this country....we now look like the old USSR.

Impeach, indict, imprison!

[rasputin1952]

35. Love your post..but I take exception to one part...

we have not had, "...a backward walk for this country..." but rather it has been a full scale retreat, at a run...:(

I am amazed that the people of this nation can be cowed by this little twit in the WH....x(

[femrap]

45. Yes, it certainly is one stunning

Backlash. We are experiencing a 'Crisis of Masculinity.' It's all about death and destruction and oppression.

But I am encouraged by the number of people who are against this war and only a 28% approval rating for W.

I think what cowed many were the anthrax attacks on the Dems (Daschle), NBC, and other media outlets. I think that was a very clear message....'we will kill if necessary.' And of course, then David Kelley, the British weapons inspector was 'suicided.' These people are pure evil.

Impeach, Indict, Imprison.

[rasputin1952]

46. Yes, pure evil...no semblance of any form of moral base...

These guys truly are, satan's loyal minions.

I have always had compassion for those that were sick or mentally troubled...but I have to say, I would have no remorse what-so-ever if either bush or Cheney keeled over and were whisked away to the hell they've built.

[femrap]

51. If either of them keeled....

I'd probably be dancing in the street! Which isn't really the kind of person I want to be, but those 2 have murdered so many and created such havoc.

I want to see some justice....Impeach, indict, imprison.

[rasputin1952]

52. I think it would be like an overcast day finally clearing...

6 years of overcast days actually.

If there is a bright side to any of this, bush has insured the neo-con agenda is dead...:woohoo:

[Darth_Kitten]

38. Yup, she's fantastic.............but....

we all change the world in our own way. ;)

Lots of good people out there! :D

[donsu]

39. true

nt

[Madspirit]

16. She's absolutely brilliant

...and full of compassion. I have loved her for so many years.
Lee

[rasputin1952]

18. I recall the years ago when she first became one of the

spokespersons for the feminist movement, I found her to be mesmerizing when she spoke. Those were the days of high hopes for a lot of people, most of the dashed on the rocks tossed into the path by conservatives because of their denial that women could possibly be equal to men.

Could you see GS and Gringrich across a table...that would be amazing...:D

[Madspirit]

20. Gloria would rip Newt to shreds...n/t

[rasputin1952]

21. That would be the interesting part...n/t

[Madspirit]

22. She is amazing

She's one of the most brilliant people in the human rights movement, imo.
Lee

[rasputin1952]

23. I agree...but don't forget Katrina VandenHuevel(sp)...

There are plenty of other amazingly intelligent women as well. It is truly sad that most of the world treats women as poorly as it does...:(

In this country, we've had a remarkable amount of feminine genius, but little has been noted of a good portion of it.

Every nation falls into this trap, Madame Curie, "oh, but she's a woman, so she must be wrong."...:wtf: I always have felt that the greatest people are those that get proven right, whether it be long or short term. Conquering ignorance is a full time occupation, and it is a difficult row to hoe.

[Madspirit]

25. Part of a series

This was part of a series of interviews with amazing women. I will be posting more.

Thanks for being a cool guy. ..a guy who cares. : >
Lee

[rasputin1952]

26. Thanks, I'm looking forward to more posts...

:D

I believe in that my love for intelligent people goes back to having great influences as I grew up. my love of history comes from my aunt and uncle in MD, who made sure when we went down there we got the Grand Tour, Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredricskburg...my Aunt Edith told the stories of those battles as if she were there, (both of them were retired teachers, my uncle at college level). And my Uncle Gusty was a man of great warmth and generosity helped to shape my own compassion and empathy. He was also a Shriner and believed in giving back to the community and society as a whole. They were Lincoln R's, they'd be appalled at the state of R ideology right now.

My father instilled in me one of the guiding principles of my life, Question Authority. It is imperative that we all become involved to some extent in the way our society thinks and acts. A society is judged in history, not when the acts of a few of the elite are analyzed, but rather on how it treated it's poorest and most fragile citizens. We are disgusted today that slavery ever existed in this nation, and we wonder why it took until 1920 for women to get to vote. The reality is, these offenses against portions of our society were, belatedly, rectified. That says something for us as a society, it takes a while, but we can undo injustice, we just need to question just 'why' some things exist in our society, and make those who make decisions look at why they are making said decisions, and explain why these things make any sense. Sometimes they do, they just need to be explained, but more often than not, it is a power grab for certain interests.

Sorry to blather on, but the caffeine just kicked in, and it ais a rainy T'Storm AM, (w/tornado watch until about 0900...woo-hoo), and I can get a tad wordy at times. This has been an extremely pleasant exchange, and I look forward to your future posts...:hug:

[Madspirit]

34. Not blathering!

I loved reading that. Do you write?

It was lovely to read.

It is absolutely true that a society is...and should be...judged by how it treats it's poorest and most fragile citizens.

Your aunt and uncle sound like great people. My father quit being a Republican before he died and even voted for Clinton both times. He thought the Republican party had become shameful.

Thanks again and I hope you write a lot more.
Lee

[rasputin1952]

36. Speaking about your dad, reminded me about my mom,...

who has never, until recently, voted for anything but an R. She has always been active in politics, but from behind the scenes. The last General Election, she refused to vote for bush and just left it out of her voting agenda. She couldn't bring herself to vote for Kerry, that was a given for her, but for her to not vote a whole GOP ticket, and especially for president, was astounding to me, (and a great personal joy, because it re-instilled in me her view of morality).

My mom didn't like FDR, but respected the position he was in, and certainly respected his dealing w/the Depression and the war. She did have a great affinity for Eleanor Roosevelt, because being a young girl growing up and seeing Eleanor out there and doing things as a woman made her proud to be female. While my Aunt Edith, (also a staunch Republican), didn't look anything like Eleanor, ( :) ), she was like her on an intellectual level. Edith ran for Congress in 1920, (she lost), in the first election nationwide that women could vote in. I believe she would have been a powerhouse for women in general if she had been elected.

As for me, no I don't write, well at least not for a living. I put most things down on paper if I think they are thoughts worthy of being retained. I guess that some of them might be pretty good, but I tend to lose my train of thought and go off on tangents as ideas run through my little brain. My college Eng instructor seemed to believe I had some promise, we became friends after the classes were over, and she is a real pleasure to talk to, always ready to let loose w/a laugh and a great wit as well...:D

I am more of an observer than anything else, I try to figure things out, find solutions to problems; sometimes that works, most often it doesn't..:) But wherever I find injustice or pain, I try to alleviate the situation...I'm never afraid to speak up and make my sentiments known. This has had some interesting consequences, but that is life...:)

Once again this has been a very pleasant and educating discussion. Once again, Gloria has people talking...isn't that her whole point...:D

[Iris]

50. yep and it starts young & often in the home

When my 4 yr. old niece tested very high in her pre-K program, my brother described her as "overly smart." When her older brother tested high in reading, my brother said he "tested off the charts!"

[Solly Mack]

9. k/r

[smirkymonkey]

10. K&R!

Great Post! Thanks!

:Kick:

[David Zephyr]

11. K&R!

Gloria Steinem, American hero!

[Gelliebeans]

12. K & R

[Control-Z]

14. k and r n/t

[hfojvt]

19. isn't this old school?

http://www.liberaloasis.com/2007/04/full_frontal_feminism_author_j_1.php

[Booster]

24. A little kick for Gloria - wonderful woman.

[jtrockville]

28. Gloria Steinem will be at the KIDS PEACE FESTIVAL....

Mother's day at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, 2-5pm. If you're in town, come and celebrate peace.
http://codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=2943

[omega minimo]

29. brilliant and clear

[Madspirit]

30. kicking again...n/t

[wicket]

31. K & R

:kick:

[kimmerspixelated]

32. Now isn't she supposed to be running

a new radio station with Jane Fonda?

[Madspirit]

33. I have heard nothing about this.

That would be cool.
Lee

[sandnsea]

48. Yes

Greenstone Media

http://www.greenstonemedia.com/

I checked it out a few months ago and it seemed a little light, considering the seriousness of the times. I suppose I should give it another try.

[Hidden Stillness]

37. We Need a New Wave of Feminism, Again

Lately, I have been thinking about feminism a lot again, more than I have for some years, so consciously and at the center of things. After the huge, complete and prolonged backlash of the powerful against feminism and against women generally for over 25 years now, (and after reading several recent threads on DU, depressing for their complete lack of any discernable change to male attitudes, routines, attacks, etc., on several different topics), I have returned to an idea that I thought I forgot about after the '70s, and that is that there has to be a revival of feminsim, and that it has to permeate the consideration of all other issues like a spirit, even beyond its own particular topic, because it is at the core of things. Nothing will be solved until women are allowed to exist, and are treated as if they exist.

I happened to turn on the TV today, CNNHeadline"News" I think, on a protest rally against the sexist bigotry of rap music, led by black women, and yet again, the announcer called the statement by Don Imus "racist," with no reference to women at all. It felt again like a lifetime of "you are not even important enough to mention, even when the attack was against you," so trivial, that our issues, our place in the world, is absent. Furthermore, we never, absolutely never, know what is good for us. Anti-woman violence from the male media is called "free speech," and our attempts to be free of attacks are called "censorship" and "trying to fit everybody into a straightjacket and make everybody the same," etc. Any number of issues are more important than ours--it is the Iraq war and something else now, but it will be something else after that. There will always be some issue "more important" than what we want. Even though there is no bigger holocaust, no larger slave trade, no larger number of hate crimes, than those committed by males against us, I never, never hear us referred to under these circumstances. We do not even exist, as serious people, or issues.

I also first became aware of, and then inflamed by, feminism, around 1971, barely a teenager, by reading and listening to Gloria Steinem, still one of the smartest, deepest, and most comprehensive of those who understand and explain. She is more radical than some people think, and so are most women--if they dared speak. I remember the Phil Donahue show from that era, the morning one, from Dayton, and then Chicago, when there were feminists on a lot, and Donahue became a feminist, Marlo Thomas changed "That Girl" to reflect her new consciousness, etc. That was such a time of hope, pride, new clear thinking...

Now, after all these years of NOTHING, it has come around again, and we need it, or nothing will ever be just or true.

[donsu]

40. kick

nt

[Darth_Kitten]

42. I've noticed that any attack against women is never just that.......

the media is always looking for some other angle. Sometimes I just want to yell, it's "sexist", it's "okay" to mention that!!!! :( Yeah, like women matter and it's okay to say that?

Maybe there's this mistaken assumption that well, women have rights, have parity with men. Well, yes, perhaps it's true, you cannot officially discriminate against women, but there is still what I would call personal discrimination against women in society. Sad, but true. But if you bring it to anybody's attention it's well, that's how people are, or why should you care so much? :eyes:

[omega minimo]

47. Seconded. Esp. if we are to save the planet.

:yourock:



A lot of the densest attitudes about women owe a lot to the toxic spew of Limbaugh having infected the general culture. :thumbsdown:

[Iris]

49. excellent post and I'd like to add:

"Anti-woman violence from the male media is called "free speech," and our attempts to be free of attacks are called "censorship" and "trying to fit everybody into a straightjacket and make everybody the same," etc."

Yet, their "free-speech" inevitably puts women into straightjackets by limiting what they can say, think, and do for fear of ridicule.

[WiseButAngrySara]

41. Wow! "a holocaust every year" Some perspective, huh? ....n/t

[PassingFair]

43. I last saw her giving Stephen Colbert a kiss...

One of my FAVORITE episodes of The Report.

[Kurovski]

44. That "cooking show" bit with them and Jane Fonda was hysterical.

Colbert clearly torn between "ideology" and sexual attraction.

Fonda aced it. :-)