https://blue.feedland.org/?river=http://data.feedland.org/blue/feeds/LakiBN.xml It's just a feed for now Mon, 04 Nov 2024 20:03:17 GMT feedland v0.6.43 https://cyber.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html Mon, 04 Nov 2024 20:03:18 GMT http://rpc.rsscloud.io:5337/pleaseNotify Mon, November 4, 2024 3:03 PM EST <p>I lost 3 older cousins to self-immolation. I was too young to understand then that they had committed suicide because they were unmarried and pregnant. Our closed in, traditional society left them no other choice. </p> <p>The euphemism I heard repeated was &#39;carelessness near the kerosene cooking stove&#39;. There were whispers of immorality, with sighs of what a blessing it was for the family and the marriage prospects of the other daughters. </p> <p>Long before I fully understood the underlying tragedy, I often wondered how a daughter’s death could be counted a blessing.</p> <p>Since arriving in the US 37 years ago, I’ve rarely thought about the restrictive and paternalistic misogyny I left behind. I have lived and worked as a woman in my own right. The misogyny I faced was mostly at work where I had to be twice as skilled and qualified but earned half as much as my colleagues. But I did not face constant sexual harassment, nor paternalistic strangers lecturing or threatening me for not dressing or behaving as I should.</p> <p>All that changed in recent years. Although I am 71, I am fearful once again, for the world I thought I had left behind seems to be taking root here. A paternalistic order which demands how women should behave and threatens them with violence otherwise. </p> <p>The Dobbs decision leading to tragic consequences, Tucker Carlson’s rant about spanking (Kamala), Trump’s threats against Liz Cheney, Elon Musk’s view of women as baby factories, and Andrew Tate’s large following. </p> <p> Even if Kamala wins on Tuesday, I shall never sleep peacefully again because a large portion of the country seems to want a violent patriarchy.</p> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 20:03:17 GMT https://blue.feedland.org/?item=726618 https://blue.feedland.org/?item=726618 I lost 3 older cousins to self-immolation. I was too young to understand then that they had committed suicide because they were unmarried and pregnant. Our closed in, traditional society left them no other choice. The euphemism I heard repeated was 'carelessness near the kerosene cooking stove'. There were whispers of immorality, with sighs of what a blessing it was for the family and the marriage prospects of the other daughters. Long before I fully understood the underlying tragedy, I often wondered how a daughter’s death could be counted a blessing. Since arriving in the US 37 years ago, I’ve rarely thought about the restrictive and paternalistic misogyny I left behind. I have lived and worked as a woman in my own right. The misogyny I faced was mostly at work where I had to be twice as skilled and qualified but earned half as much as my colleagues. But I did not face constant sexual harassment, nor paternalistic strangers lecturing or threatening me for not dressing or behaving as I should. All that changed in recent years. Although I am 71, I am fearful once again, for the world I thought I had left behind seems to be taking root here. A paternalistic order which demands how women should behave and threatens them with violence otherwise. The Dobbs decision leading to tragic consequences, Tucker Carlson’s rant about spanking (Kamala), Trump’s threats against Liz Cheney, Elon Musk’s view of women as baby factories, and Andrew Tate’s large following. Even if Kamala wins on Tuesday, I shall never sleep peacefully again because a large portion of the country seems to want a violent patriarchy.