It is International Women’s day, and as it seems that nobody else is writing about it in the local blogsphere, I am doing it again. It must be my feminine side that motivates me to write about this subject. As the author of the article “What the heck is a man’s ’feminine side,’ anyway?” says, it is kind of creepy for a man, especially for a Latino, to bring up a guy’s feminine side (link below). I hope that Nameless will not give me a hard time.
Last year I quoted Melinda Gates, from the Gates Foundation, to illustrate that the International Women’s Day has become a mainstream occurrence (link below). This year I am quoting the observations of a female journalist,on a World Bank report on women:
“Today, the radical ardor behind the original project has cooled considerably—to the point where the celebration sometimes seems like just another excuse to sell cheap pink crap… Much as I’d love to be doing a happy dance and celebrating all the advances women have made since Clara Zetkin’s day, it’s sobering to realize how little things have changed for so many women around the globe. Even in countries where women have advanced, gender economic inequality remains a serious problem.”
The details and analysis of the report are here (link below). Last year I mentioned two fine ladies who symbolize the spirit of this day in my city, Cynthia Ward and Yesenia Rojas. They have continued to play an active and important role in making Anaheim a better place, courageously fighting the powers that resist changes. I also mentioned the three ladies in the council, whom although representing the powers resisting changes, deserve recognition for exercising a leadership role. It is a negative one for many of us, but a role nevertheless.
I was hoping that time would heal the divisions in our civic affairs, make our city less polarized. Unfortunately I was wrong, although some significant changes have taken place, like a promising Chief of Police, wider resistance to corporate giveaway as in the Angels’ negotiation, and the opportunity to further democratize our electoral system and city governance.
The majority of the city council, in which these ladies are the majority, is one of the main barriers to the changes and healing needed. When they talked in a council meeting about their opposition to the district’s option, after the lawsuit settlement was reached, they did in such virulent, disrespectful manner that inflamed and renewed the toxicity of polarized communities. I could not believe that they would be talking in such divisive terms, rather than acknowledging differences in a way that would promote a more civil resolution of the disagreements. One of their statements was something along the lines that there are not other strong Latinos as the plaintiffs in the district’s lawsuit, to pursue changes in the city. It was insulting. It re-energized those of us present at the meeting to show them that we are more than three, that we are hundreds that will the do our best to get people to register and vote on November.
While I was sitting listening to them in the council chamber, my reaction was not gender-based but class and race based. As much as one is conscious not to make class and race determining one’s perspective, I could not help seeing three arrogant, comfortable, white ladies talking down to minorities and poor people. It was not a gender-based event, as one of the men in the dais did not talk, did not say anything to counter these negative arguments. Brandman’s silence came across as acceptance of their divisive reasons. Only Mayor Tait spoke out against those arguments. Yes Dan Chmieliewski, only Mayor Tait did. (for those not familiar with the characters of the OC blogsphere, this man Dan C is a so-called liberal who has become the mouthpiece for the powers that usufructs of the city of Anaheim’s resources).
A positive outcome has been the emergence of more people determined to play a positive leadership role. Two of them are ladies who became involved after tragic circumstances, both having sons killed by the police. They have taken their experience, not only the tragic one but their overall experience as residents of neighborhoods normally excluded from the city powers, to get involved in civic affairs. Genevieve Huizar on her own prevented an angry crowd at the last Kelly Thomas’ demonstration from vandalizing the bar that allegedly called the police on Kelly’s fatal night. The same day she kept people from confronting the police and from getting arrested. Donna Acevedo speaks out at the council meeting, has become a community organizer and is now running for the city council! I salute these two ladies. I also salute Ms Lorri Galloway , although I still don’t agree on her reasons to run against a Mayor whose overall record , as a Mayor, has exceeded expectations making our city a more inclusive one.
I salute all the ladies advancing gender equality and a better life for everybody. I salute the ladies writing on this blog, Inge, Cynthia and the Valkyrie, and I hope that next year they will be the ones writing about this day.
http://edumckaytion.com/blog/heck-mans-feminine-side-anyway/
http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2013/03/international-womens-day-and-anaheims-civic-leaders/
http://www.thenation.com/blog/178744/why-we-need-international-womens-day
Ricardo,
I forgot it’s Women’s Day and to be honest I don’t need a “day” to celebrate I am a female (I’m the same way with all major holidays). But “thank you” for noticing and writing about it.
All men have a feminine side but there are some who don’t know it or are uncomfortable expressing it. I guess it comes down to being comfortable in our own skin whether we are male or female. The bottom line is that we all deserve to live in peace. No one has the right to make anyone their slave or be abused.
On the other hand, just because one is female doesn’t mean that she will act with empathy or not be involved in greed or corruption. There have been plenty of women killers.
This November I will not vote for anyone currently on the city council. We need to clean house. I think they are all corrupt and have to go, that includes the women. The problem is getting Anaheim citizens to pay attention and go to the polls. These elections usually have a poor voter turnout. And that amazes me… in other countries people will stand in line all day to vote… but here in America they can’t be bothered.
I wonder how many young women today know what year women got the right to vote in the U.S.A.? It was 1920. Women fought for years, suffered jail time and beatings so women like me could have that right.
http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/19th-amendment
I grew up during the birth of the Feminist Movement. I watched women march in the streets for the Equal Rights Amendment in the 60s. It still has not passed.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/57c.asp
Women’s right to choose (Roe v. Wade) is still under assault. And I’m guessing will continue. For some reason there are people, men and women who have nothing better to do than try to control me and my personal decisions. I used to attend pro-choice actions outside Planned Parenthood in Chico and Modesto. Our job was to keep pro-lifers away from the front door so patients could enter and leave safely. The majority of pro-lifers were always men. I find that interesting.
Too many women are still being murdered by their boyfriends and husbands. Too many women stay in unhealthy relationships for one reason or another. Too many women worry about their weight and think they need to look like the “air brushed” models they see on magazine covers. I wish they focused on eating healthy, exercising and delegating chores to family members (kids) so they can have some “me” time. I believe a woman who doesn’t live by society’s rules and follows her heart is unstoppable.
We have come a long way baby BUT there is much more to do.
Thank you again Ricardo for writing your thoughts, I’m sure your mom is proud to see you grew up to be a “well rounded” man who is in touch with his feminine side.
Uh, heads up, that wasn’t the birth of the feminist movement . . .
1848. Seneca Falls, New York.
I stand corrected. You are right Ryan what I meant was it was in the media in the 60s and I was not alive during 1848 or maybe I was if I believe in reincarnation… Betty Freidan wrote the “Feminine Mystique” which is what I think got the women’s movement re-charged.
Inge,
I agree that you, and all women, don’t need a day to celebrate that you are a female. This is a day highlighting gender equality’s achievements and challenges in this still male dominated world.
Regarding our city’s council, I think that Mayor Tait is an honorable exception to your generalization of “they are all corrupt”. If you’ve followed and being engaged in the issues we have faced, I’d hope you would agree.
Tradition and celebrating events is a good thing. I just think they are all commercialized these days and depending on the holiday its a reason to get drunk, ie: St. Patrick’s Day, Fat Tuesday, New Years Eve, etc. I am just not into holidays but that’s just me.
As for Anaheim’s mayor…I’m giving him the boot too. They all stick around too long and we need people from different ethnic backgrounds, who don’t have money connections and their personal agenda.
It’s not just local government. Washington is need of an overhaul. I am disgusted with all of them, except a very few.
Nice job trivializing INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day to suit (once again) Anaheim and Anaheim’s political woes and Anaheim corruption, ad nauseum. There is a broader scope (no pun intended) to this day of observance.
But shill on for the representatives of your choice! It’s politics. Oh! Yeah! And uh, women!
Article by MINIONDAS on our successful conference. “International Day of Women – Voices that Inspire!” March 8, 2014 in Fullerton.
We are very grateful to Los Angeles Immigration Attorneys for being our Key-Sponsor, and Miniondas Newspaper for their great support of the all-volunteer FSTH (the Human Trafficking Survivors Foundation – Fundación de Sobrevivientes de Tráfico Humano a 501(c)3, and all of our other awesome sponsors, volunteers and presenters!
Virginia Isaías, is our President and Founder, and she is a kidnap victim and trafficking survivor along her then 6-month old daughter. We are Santa Ana based.
VOCES QUE INSPIRAN – coverage of Event by Miniondas (Spanish)
http://www.miniondas.com/voces-que-inspiran-2/
Announcement of Event by Miniondas (Spanish)
http://www.miniondas.com/voces-que-inspiran/
We have participated in direct rescues, and assistance to other survivors of human trafficking.
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Francisco J. Barragán, Co-founder of FSTH