Why We Write, What We Write

Just a few short days ago Kara Jesella ushered in the churning winds of turmoil and the Blogosphere, not just the Momosphere mind you, erupted into a dark, stormy sea of debate.

The short version; Ms. Jesella wrote an article about BlogHer '08. Her platform? None other than the one, the only, the New York Times. The problems with the article are, essentially, endless but in the spirit of the short version I'll give it a shot:

1) It was published on the front page of the Fashion & Style section. No, really. Because clearly BlogHer was about the style? Also, about pink fluffy bunny rabbits, sun-shiny strawberry fields, and rainbows leading to endless baskets of peaches. Though, she failed to mention those.

AND

2) The article, titled "Blogging's Glass Ceiling", does not actually address the issue of breaking through the glass ceiling that does, in fact, so obviously exist. Quite to the contrary it oozes condescending tone and mockery. Allow me to demonstrate:

"It has since evolved into a corporate-sponsored Oprah-inflected version of a ’60s consciousness-raising group."

Yes, it's full of gems like that. Apparently the daisy-twirling, hippy commune of a conference failed to raise *her* awareness. That or she smoked too much of the free-love-havin' pipe.

It goes without saying that our own pride and joy, Erin Kotecki Vest, ever so quickly responded to the patriarchal B.S. in just the way that makes us respect her so.

The equally awesome Feministe was not far behind.

And then it happened.

Misogynist blowhards responded.

Which seems to me, to be where it probably would have ended. As we all know however, misogynist blowhards must have the last word. Because it demonstrates their superiority! Like the chimp who gets to eat the last banana. So, when Her Bad Mother shot back with all of the empowered voice, common sense, and eloquence we all have come to love her for the blowhards had to throw one last jab.

In the comments there, the long, obscene, degrading, frat-party-like comments there is discussion (if one can call it that) of why in the world the experiences of moms, women, and females of any kind, really, are of interest to anyone. With the exception of course of other moms, women and/or females of those same kinds. More importantly, it was questioned: What gives us the right to demand to be heard out on those issues? Let me just say that I am in no way under the impression that what I have to say is going to change the extremely narrow minds of any of the male chauvinist pigs that engaged in the comments there. I am however, under the impression that what I am about to say is important, worthy and powerful. I believe that it is the very mantra of the woman-blogosphere. It is the principle that motivates so many of us to write what we write, when we write it. And not only that, it is why we demand to be heard. It is why such demands are our right and why any and every main stream media outlet with an inkling of intelligence is paying attention - even if they sometimes get it a little wrong in the process.

Depression, breast-feeding, suicide, life-balance, marital struggle, parenting struggle, economic struggle, body-image breakdown, sexual identity; these and so many more of the issues that plague women are issues of national concern. If you think for even one moment that boys and men are not affected by each and every single one of those issues you, my friend, need to take a step back into the reality that is life. Without mentally, emotionally and physically well mothers, wives, sisters, and female friends that life would cease, after all. It would cease to exist entirely. No, this is not dramatic. No, it is not an exaggeration. Women give birth. Women provide nourishment. Women parent children, shaping them into the adults that they will become. Women dream big dreams and accomplish bigger goals, even when those goals are not for them personally. And yet, women are not recognized. Neither their problems nor accomplishments are acknowledged. Women are expected to keep quiet unless what they have to say is positive. Men can talk of war, failing economic times, murder, rape, assault and they are praised for "confronting the issues" but when women dig deeper they are scolded. When women bring to the table the internal, personal struggles that are both catalyst and result of those very issues; the war, the rape, the economy that pummels our society day in and out, women are ignored.

Women have a right to be heard because the issues they have the unique perspective to attack are big, lumbering elephant-in-the-corner-of-the-room issues. They are without boundaries, geographical or otherwise. They do not know of gender, they do not know of age. Women's issues are not just national, they are universal, and if the only way for that to be recognized and respected is through the demands of the women who are brave enough to confront them, so be it. Women have a right to demand the respect and dignity given men because women's issues are equally, yes EQUALLY, important. These are the issues that are both root and end, cause and effect to all others. They are inextricably linked to that which men have been talking about for centuries and it's about god damned time someone other than just other women in the back hall of a church heard about them.