Women teach the world. Our voices are already familiar to children in the womb. We are the first teachers. Perhaps we should also be the always teachers?
Our society, our world, needs wise women to guide us around the wasteland that lies in our direct path. We need the united voices of wise women who no longer serve a specific family, industry, or ruling entity. We must serve all and the future. One more time we have to step up and do what needs doing.
But why these limitations?
Well, women who serve a family will look at the wasteland and do what best serves their family right now, which may well mean staying put in a place that is known or comfortable, on this side of the wasteland. This is the view that promotes conservation of the approaches that worked in the past. Stick with what you know rules this perspective.
Women who serve an industry are economically tied to whichever corporate or military entity has put, or currently puts, money or food in their mouths. They are tied to a course of action that may very well take them right into the wasteland although it is contaminated, scarcely habitable, or will probably kill off them as individuals. This is the view that promotes following a group on a course that benefits that group no matter what without having any input into what the group does or what the action of the group does to them.
Women who follow the rules put forth by a governing group may seem similar to those who serve an industry, but these also include the women ruled by despots, dictators, ruling families, representative democracies, and oligarchies. These women follow the path put forward by a few individuals who have power over the people and purport to work in the interest of the people. The governing group often fosters a parental image of itself and encourages people to see them as caregivers or guardians who inherently have your best interest in mind. If your father tells you to go into the wasteland and pull weeds, or find certain rocks, as an obedient child, you will do so.
None of these forms are perfect forms of government in a world with a population so vast that the meaning behind individual voices is lost, ability to be heard is impossible over the din of billions of other voices, and actions by groups can take hold before collective understanding of the action permeates the population.
So what are we to do now that the wasteland is in sight?
I want to keep this line of thought as free from bias as possible so I am not defining the wasteland. It could be environmental degradation, climate change, anarchy, war, terrorism, or one-on-one violence, or the decline of individuals to sustain themselves, connect meaningfully with a supportive group of life-long friends and family, or live in a way that is consistent with the concept of individual rights.
Our individual voices have disappeared into a raucous buzz of collective humanity for quite some time. With the telegraph, radio, television and the advent sound storage devices the din became worldwide and continuous, but with the rise of the internet and the near instantaneous blasting and publishing of information from a single person or entity to billions of people or entities the whole process of communication has been upended, stirred and shaken again. Savvy communicators, sales and marketing professionals, and very loud voices can shout over crowds.
Women in the United States have been embroiled in a communication crisis for a few decades. The crisis involves public speech, public and private roles, inequality in communication rights, and access to communication technology. Democracy is based in concepts of representation, one adult one vote, access to those representatives, and working to better the democratic process into a ever-evolving fair and just system, a more perfect union if you will that honors life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
There is something afoot with women in the US. The women’s march and #metoo phenomena both show the rapidity and reach collective women’s voice can have. Many of us expected a follow up action. Some places are having them, others are not. Many are having rallies, teach-ins, and other actions. There is even a rumor is that divisive factions within the women’s movement have attempted to dictate constraints on speech and action within some local anniversary actions. We must unite. As Carrie Newcomer sings, “There is room at the table for everyone.”
We have to remember this!
Thank you for your strong voice. This is a great piece, and I’m passing it on!
Thanks Su, I worked hard to make it actionable without being too much from one perspective.
I think we’ve reached a tipping point. I was shocked when Doug Jones won the Senate seat in Alabama, but I think that’s a good example of loud voices shouting caveman arguments and not being heard or heeded. Women certainly need to unite, but in a world of the double-edged sword of social media, unification will continue to be challenging. One more reason I like the Elizabeth Warren hashtag #ShePersisted.
I think we should strive for unity of action. But unification may be more than we need. I always think of “puree” when I hearthe word unification. In any case, #shepersisted, is good. I want a senate filled with women like Elizabeth Warren: smart, and more than willing to speak her mind, logically and forcefully.
Well said, Nancy. Women currently control 51% of US personal wealth and are on target to control 2/3’s in the next three years. This will be another key element in empowering women. Yay!
They say money talks.