You say it so well for all of us who shake with rage and weep with the pain of what is happening right now and for what horrors are coming. How can we turn all these very valid feelings into positive action?
I do not know. I wish I knew. I hope I know when the time is right.
Before the Nicene Council, that created "The Bible", we had a predominantly matriarchal society
Fearing the power of women, they manipulated the churches teachings, to create the patriarchal society that exists today in the Western World. (I do not know how it happened in the Islamic faith.)
Women who had power were killed as witches. Their blessings to society were viewed as a curse. Fear descended upon them and women had to acquiesce.
Over time women began taking back their power. Yet, it has not been fast enough. The systemic fear of women in power still strikes the heart of closed minded, power hungary, greedy men. Therefore, they throw up road blocks for every inch women make.
There are way to few women in the House and Senate, because of this.
Pa represntative Susan Wild, lost her place in the US House this past election.
She was great at what she did. She worked with both sides of the aisle. But the negative blanketing campaigning by the Republican party, was just out to seize power. And did not care she was the most competent person for the job.
My mind is blown by your description of where toxic masculinity comes from...the fear of losing the woman they love and rely on through childbirth, mothering, women leaving, etc and the way they feel alone and abandoned. It made me think of Patriarchy as the romance novel hero who has sworn to Never Love Again.
Of course, there is no "happily ever after". But there is a better world in us. It starts young. And it takes bravery too, together, not romance novel paper heroes or damsels in distress.
Thank you for putting into words—and having the courage to publish—so much of what many women in this country are experiencing. I was home in Boston for a couple weeks over the holidays and felt safer than I’ve felt in a long time. I, too, went to the museums, including the MFA, to see Georgia O’Keeffe and a powerful exhibit on art and democracy on a discounted pass from my local library in Salem. I posted a note then about how wonderful it felt to know my tax dollars were supporting art, education, and public institutions in the way they should. ❤️
James Hollis film soulhealfilm.com comes to mind-watch it!!!! we women in our 6th 7th 8th decade who have done our work to balance divine feminine and masculine while being true women have given it our all to bring the men along
I won’t give up but it’s a job for the collective now more than ever!!!! Thank you!
I felt Margaret's rage, Maria. I feel it now and it's intensifying as I read posts about the devastating fires in Los Angeles -- where I live, but far enough away to be safe -- posts blaming our mayor, our governor, our water system, our, yes, our wokeness. Posts from people who live far far away and have no idea what they are talking about and don't care. And [he] takes over in SIX days. Fuck.
wow... this raging honesty is glorious. that's some magnificent archetypal crone energy. (as opposed to stooped, withered, and sinister folklore crone energy). sweet. so, remember the priors... when i said "this was your best"? well... this one beats those. hands down.
also... "pompous, entitled wankering." i died twice and laughed quite a clip over this. sometimes well-paced, perfectly partnered words taste better than a bite of chocolate.
Thank you for so eloquently saying what we're all feeling. I'm enraged and terrified every day. I live in a solid red state and I want out so badly. As a 56 year old woman watching us slide backward yet again, I'm reminded that darkness always tries to take the light and the light can never stop fighting. I believe so many women are so steeped in generational patriarchy-down to the DNA deep steeped in it-they can't see or understand they work against their own best interests. We failed too, I think, at continuing to fight between second wave feminism and now. Yes, some of us continued the fight (bless Gloria Steinem) but after Roe was on the books we got lazy. Our daughters and granddaughters and every generation moving forward MUST know that we can never think we're done fighting because right wing religious fundamentalists of every patriarchal religion will forever try to take it back. They have spent decades working to get us here and we weren't paying attention and they will never stop. Not ever. We need to wrap our heads around that. They are our real enemy. Toxic masculinity is as ingrained in men as it is in women and it's going to take decades to heal it but we can never stop trying. If we don't fight now, we are done for. It's that simple. Stay strong sisters and be there for each other.
"Margaret sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear. As she said once: “There exists in the minds of men a tone of feeling toward women as toward slaves.” I see it still." Thinking on this, as a mind and as a man (though there is more to it than that)...Men, with power and an ingrained culture that "praises" them, tend to think of all others, including the world at large, as slaves. That's what I see, women, and men, and the extracted physical and living world, as slaves. We allow it to happen. We all too often praise and give a complete pass to these empowered megalomaniacs, narcissists (usually men) and most all of us are much the worse off for it. Our media is filled with it, the systems that we have been carefully taught to live within. So I'm agreeing, and adding, it is as we know (I should hope) the chalice and the blade. The whole damnable entitled master and slave system is on the brink of collapsing, this empowered, dangerous blindness of the 'supreme leader(s). Each of us, individuals, and in groups, need to keep saying it out loud, and do it do it differently...first with our own belief systems, seeing and saying loudly, the "emperor" has no clothes. Expect the scorn of the empowered megalomaniacs, call them out and act anyway...again and again, because that is the only possible way their vile scheming against the world, and us in it, will fail.
You say it so well for all of us who shake with rage and weep with the pain of what is happening right now and for what horrors are coming. How can we turn all these very valid feelings into positive action?
I do not know. I wish I knew. I hope I know when the time is right.
Before the Nicene Council, that created "The Bible", we had a predominantly matriarchal society
Fearing the power of women, they manipulated the churches teachings, to create the patriarchal society that exists today in the Western World. (I do not know how it happened in the Islamic faith.)
Women who had power were killed as witches. Their blessings to society were viewed as a curse. Fear descended upon them and women had to acquiesce.
Over time women began taking back their power. Yet, it has not been fast enough. The systemic fear of women in power still strikes the heart of closed minded, power hungary, greedy men. Therefore, they throw up road blocks for every inch women make.
There are way to few women in the House and Senate, because of this.
Pa represntative Susan Wild, lost her place in the US House this past election.
She was great at what she did. She worked with both sides of the aisle. But the negative blanketing campaigning by the Republican party, was just out to seize power. And did not care she was the most competent person for the job.
My mind is blown by your description of where toxic masculinity comes from...the fear of losing the woman they love and rely on through childbirth, mothering, women leaving, etc and the way they feel alone and abandoned. It made me think of Patriarchy as the romance novel hero who has sworn to Never Love Again.
So how do we turn this into a happily ever after??
Of course, there is no "happily ever after". But there is a better world in us. It starts young. And it takes bravery too, together, not romance novel paper heroes or damsels in distress.
Thank you for putting into words—and having the courage to publish—so much of what many women in this country are experiencing. I was home in Boston for a couple weeks over the holidays and felt safer than I’ve felt in a long time. I, too, went to the museums, including the MFA, to see Georgia O’Keeffe and a powerful exhibit on art and democracy on a discounted pass from my local library in Salem. I posted a note then about how wonderful it felt to know my tax dollars were supporting art, education, and public institutions in the way they should. ❤️
I saw those exhibits at the MFA as well! So powerful!
Oh jeez I laughed out loud when I got to "pompous entitled wankering.." (I'm in a restaurant!!)
I am gonna quote this when a man in charge is driving me crazy. Perfect. Sadly, your words are the spot-on truth of today....
I’m deep into your book and loving it!
James Hollis film soulhealfilm.com comes to mind-watch it!!!! we women in our 6th 7th 8th decade who have done our work to balance divine feminine and masculine while being true women have given it our all to bring the men along
I won’t give up but it’s a job for the collective now more than ever!!!! Thank you!
Checking out Margaret Fuller...she's living in you!
I felt Margaret's rage, Maria. I feel it now and it's intensifying as I read posts about the devastating fires in Los Angeles -- where I live, but far enough away to be safe -- posts blaming our mayor, our governor, our water system, our, yes, our wokeness. Posts from people who live far far away and have no idea what they are talking about and don't care. And [he] takes over in SIX days. Fuck.
wow... this raging honesty is glorious. that's some magnificent archetypal crone energy. (as opposed to stooped, withered, and sinister folklore crone energy). sweet. so, remember the priors... when i said "this was your best"? well... this one beats those. hands down.
also... "pompous, entitled wankering." i died twice and laughed quite a clip over this. sometimes well-paced, perfectly partnered words taste better than a bite of chocolate.
lol! My British son-in-law read it and said “wankering” is not a word! And I said now it is because I made it up!
I’ll stand beside you and fight till the bitter end.
Thank you.
Reading this a day before inauguration I too am fearful and outraged.
Thank you for so eloquently saying what we're all feeling. I'm enraged and terrified every day. I live in a solid red state and I want out so badly. As a 56 year old woman watching us slide backward yet again, I'm reminded that darkness always tries to take the light and the light can never stop fighting. I believe so many women are so steeped in generational patriarchy-down to the DNA deep steeped in it-they can't see or understand they work against their own best interests. We failed too, I think, at continuing to fight between second wave feminism and now. Yes, some of us continued the fight (bless Gloria Steinem) but after Roe was on the books we got lazy. Our daughters and granddaughters and every generation moving forward MUST know that we can never think we're done fighting because right wing religious fundamentalists of every patriarchal religion will forever try to take it back. They have spent decades working to get us here and we weren't paying attention and they will never stop. Not ever. We need to wrap our heads around that. They are our real enemy. Toxic masculinity is as ingrained in men as it is in women and it's going to take decades to heal it but we can never stop trying. If we don't fight now, we are done for. It's that simple. Stay strong sisters and be there for each other.
Yes! And always pay attention. Even when it’s not popular or fun. Stay safe! But also be bold!
Bingo! Thanks for sharing. I am getting push back while expressing my rage, but that won't stop me and I hope it doesn't stop others.
"Margaret sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear. As she said once: “There exists in the minds of men a tone of feeling toward women as toward slaves.” I see it still." Thinking on this, as a mind and as a man (though there is more to it than that)...Men, with power and an ingrained culture that "praises" them, tend to think of all others, including the world at large, as slaves. That's what I see, women, and men, and the extracted physical and living world, as slaves. We allow it to happen. We all too often praise and give a complete pass to these empowered megalomaniacs, narcissists (usually men) and most all of us are much the worse off for it. Our media is filled with it, the systems that we have been carefully taught to live within. So I'm agreeing, and adding, it is as we know (I should hope) the chalice and the blade. The whole damnable entitled master and slave system is on the brink of collapsing, this empowered, dangerous blindness of the 'supreme leader(s). Each of us, individuals, and in groups, need to keep saying it out loud, and do it do it differently...first with our own belief systems, seeing and saying loudly, the "emperor" has no clothes. Expect the scorn of the empowered megalomaniacs, call them out and act anyway...again and again, because that is the only possible way their vile scheming against the world, and us in it, will fail.
Yes! The emperor has no clothes!
Thank you!