"But I'm Not Political"
Dateline: 09/19/97
The other night on the news T and I saw a news story that informed us that women now make 75 cents to every dollar a man makes. Compared to the 70s, this would be good news, however it was down from a previous high of 77 cents.
We blame the high-powered women who say, "But I'm not a feminist" for this one.
Earlier this week our son's English teacher put the class into study groups on a variety of topics. Daniel wanted to be put into the "Women's Rights" group because he thought that would be "interesting." Instead, only girls were put into that topic, and Daniel is busily memorizing facts about Apollo 11.
We think the teacher made a mistake here - it is equally important for both boys and girls to learn and understand the struggles of various members of society. Would the teacher have put only African-American students into a "Civil Rights" study group?
But, I digress.
Remember when Ellen Degeneres came out? How she said she was going to continue just "being her" and not get "all political?"
I do.
I also remember that at the time that I wondered what she meant by that.
The bad guys would like us to sit quietly in a closet, never showing our faces. Ellen went against that grain almost immediately, by showing up at the White House (last two letters) with her then other half, Anne Heche.
She also had the audacity to "flaunt" herself during an interview with Diane Sawyer. Unashamed and apologetic that she was gay (in deference to Ellen I will use her preferred word in describing her orientation).
She even took on Jerry Falwell, who had called her "Ellen Degenerate," in an interview with Time Magazine.
None of the above made any of the bad guys happy.
Then Ellen had to go and compound it.
You see, she won the Emmy for Writing The Puppy Episode, where her character, Ellen Morgan, realizes that she is gay... and she said to the millions of people watching her pick up her trophy:
I accept this on behalf of all the people, especially the teens out there, who think something is wrong with them because they're gay ... there's nothing wrong with you, and don't let anybody make you think there is.
I have to admit, that when I heard those words, my eyes filled with tears of joy and pride.
Now, there are a lot of folks out there, who like Ellen, don't want to be perceived as "political." And I'm sure it's possible that Ellen doesn't realize that she's doing nothing more than many people who have been told that they are too political (and when did caring and being active become a bad thing?). What Ellen seems to be doing is being herself. Refusing to hide, and letting others know that it's all right for them to do the same.
All I can say is, Ellen - if this is not being political, keep it up!
(and may many others follow your fine example)
In Pride,
Deborah
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