Feminism Part 1

I want to write about feminism because I have come to believe that the modern 20-something woman has very skewed ideas about feminism.  Some claim to be feminists without fully defining the term for themselves nor understanding what it means to be such a thing.  Some think it is an outdated term that they want nothing to do with.  Some say they are feminists and want nothing to do with motherhood or the idea of catering to a man.  Some hate the idea because they think it is demeaning to stay at home moms.  I am of a different school.  One that believes in feminism but with a new definition for a new time.  Looking at feminism as a strictly 1970's women's liberation issue is inaccurate.  It is like thinking women fought for something that they once needed, they got it, and now live happily ever after.  This could not be further from the truth.  This idea is plagueing women and society alike, similar to the idea that the civil right's movement for African Americans' accomplished equality and they no longer need to work towards different goals for black people in America.  The goals that were fought for at the time may have been met to certain degrees but in no way is the fight over, the fight is never over.  Just as a person is always changing and adapting, so is society, and with that change comes the need for oppressed people of color and women to make sure that their needs are addressed.  The idea that feminism or civil rights is a moment in history instead of a practice and lifestyle is dangerous.  For real change, long lasting change, it takes time, work, practice, and dedication.  It means to stop shopping where it is "easiest" right now in efforts to make it BETTER in the long term.  It means to change the way we live and act on a daily basis in order to set a standard that must be met.   Change happens by constant action. 

I am full of expanding energy!

 "You have to work on the Innerverse before you can work on the Universe."

-Anton, artist from the Bronx

 "Allow yourself to be used for all that you are- this will not deplete you, it will inspire and motivate you.  If the energy coming at you is not pure, it will be very clear and transparent on what the motive is.  Just relaz your vision and your being will see very clearly. Keep your motives pure and do not work from insecurity, fear, or scarcity.  Work from your gems."

-Ladies Lotto Blog

 "Do at least 1 thing a day that propels your dreams."

-Dank Charnley

My energy is powerful even though I am not always aware of the vibrations that I am exuding.  The cypher has been strong lately and I am finding myself immersed in inspiration from like-minded women and men.  When one door closed, it was as if the universe opened an even bigger and more in-tune door in its place.  I am putting my health at the forefront of importance because my body is my vessel and must be in peak form.  It is my job to nourish the goddess that is me and is within me.  Food is also a creation, an extension of me and my energy.  The energy that I plan to gain from the food is just as important as the energy that is put into the making of the meal.  I am making as much of my diet by my own hands.  I feel powerful, capable, and healthy!!  I am going to live with love and purity in my heart.  Focus on the dreams and work towards them while being in line with nature and in tune with myself.  I must always know who I am and channel all that I am.

Some wise words from a wise lady:

"If I were really asked to define myself, I wouldn’t start with race; I wouldn’t start with blackness; I wouldn’t start with gender; I wouldn’t start with feminism. I would start with stripping down to what fundamentally informs my life, which is that I’m a seeker on the path. I think of feminism, and I think of anti-racist struggles as part of it. But where I stand spiritually is, steadfastly, on a path about love."
— bell hooks

"Genuine love is rarely an emotional space where needs are instantly gratified. To know love we have to invest time and commitment...'dreaming that love will save us, solve all our problems or provide a steady state of bliss or security only keeps us stuck in wishful fantasy, undermining the real power of the love -- which is to transform us.' Many people want love to function like a drug, giving them an immediate and sustained high. They want to do nothing, just passively receive the good feeling."
— bell hooks 

"Think of all the women you know who will not allow themselves to be seen without makeup. I often wonder how they feel about themselves at night when they are climbing into bed with intimate partners. Are they overwhelmed with secret shame that someone sees them as they really are? Or do they sleep with rage that who they really are can be celebrated or cared for only in secret?"
— bell hooks (Communion: The Female Search for Love 

"As all advocates of feminist politics know most people do not understand sexism or if they do they think it is not a problem. Masses of people think that feminism is always and only about women seeking to be equal to men. And a huge majority of these folks think feminism is anti-male. Their misunderstanding of feminist politics reflects the reality that most folks learn about feminism from patriarchal mass media."
— bell hooks 

"Imagine how much easier it would be for us to learn how to love if we began with a shared definition."
— bell hooks 

Top American Companies 2010

AKA companies I will avoid like the plague. (as much as possible-they are huge for a reason...MONOPOLY)



But I am thankful to be alive in this day and age cuz 50 years ago it was even uglier:

Rahm Emanuel and His Wall Street Connections

"The Illinois congressman, whose fund-raising abilities are legendary, was the top House recipient in the 2008 election cycle of contributions from hedge funds, private equity firms and the securities/investment industry.

His top contributors over the course of his Congressional career were Madison Dearborn Partners ($93,600), AT&T Inc. ($86,450), Swiss bank UBS AG ($85,100), Goldman Sachs ($74,750) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. ($73,600) and Dresdner, Kleinwort & Wasserstein ($73,250). (Several of those companies were also big contributors to Obama.)"

The large contributions is one of my biggest problems with elected officials in America.  No "average
American" will ever be elected.  To get the publicity necessary to reach the masses of voters, candidates need millions of dollars.  First of al, if you have millions of dollars or are friends with people that have millions of dollars and thousands that they are willing to contribute to your campaign, you are not likely rubbing shoulders with middle, working, or poor Americans, let alone genuinely concerned and feeling their needs and struggles.  Secondly, if you are getting contributions from the biggest corporations and banks, you will have to give them something in return.  Nobody gives huge sums of money out of kindness, LEAST OF ALL the major American corporations!!!!! Therefor, the "average American" is not being accurately represented nor catered to in this democracy. 

"Many of Emanuel’s relationships with Wall Street’s movers and shakers on Wall Street were personal. After devoting himself to the Clinton White House in the 1990s, Emanuel embarked on a new career in business, saying he wanted to make money to ensure his family’s security.

In 1999, he went to work for Bruce Wasserstein, a major Democratic donor and Wall Street financier, becoming a partner in the Chicago office of investment bank Wasserstein Perella & Co. Over the course of two-and-a-half years as managing partner, he reportedly made more than $16 million.

In those years, he also joined several boards, becoming a director of housing financier Freddie Mac in a period when the agency was plagued with scandal involving campaign contributions and accounting irregularities."

live out loud.