Daughter of No Comment -- December 2006

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While the pundits are debating war policy and planning to occupy a part of outer space there are way too many issues that affect only women and are so far below the radar that we run the risk of being invisible. Tennis legend, 50 year old, Martina Navratilova says that "no women player today apologizes for their aggressiveness or muscularity, which is as it should be." CNN's Connie Chung accused her of being un- American when she criticized President Bush and she said "As a woman, as a lesbian, as a woman athlete, there is a whole bunch of barriers that I've had to jump over, and we shouldn't have to be jumping over them anymore." We still need to work hard to destroy the barriers because they don't go away by themselves. Right on Martina. And on a 'romantic' note, did you know that the average price of an American wedding in 2005 was $26,327? This according to Fairchild Bridal Group. They didn't say how long the average wedding lasted. And with the debate on marriage and civil unions, Daughter finds she no longer thinks she knows what a wedding really is. Black columnist, Stebbins Jefferson reports that Oprah Winfrey has been accused of becoming a "white woman" by hip-hop 'artist' 50 Cent. Winfrey has not invited him or other hip-hop artistes on her show. 50 Cents recording of "U Should Be Here" is an experienced pimp's appeal to a woman to be a prostitute. The self-declared professional "hood man" addresses a woman as "bitch" and editorializes with crude comments about what he can offer her as rewards for serving him and also what kind of punishment he dispenses for failing to bring in money. Consider his recording "Candy Shop" which describes varied forms of sexual intercourse in graphic detail, and then pity the females who came to believe that their intrinsic value lies in their sexuality. Daughter would say that this doesn't make Oprah a "white woman" but a smart woman who understand that young people need support to stand up to the against the 'you ain't nothing but a ho' thinking because this filth sells and the mainstream media gives it laudatory reviews. The sound you hear is $$$ talking. Former U.S. Surgeon General, Joycelyn Elders, calling for comprehensive sex education in schools and criticizing a Bush Administration plan to spend $50 million on abstinence-only instruction, said "We just don't like to talk about sex." Daughter doesn't get it. We talk about sex all the time, everywhere..web sites, movies, and more. We just don't tell the truth about diseases, unwanted pregnancy and self image. Sex sells and the $$$ interests glamorize a sexualized culture to maximize profits, no matter what it costs our young people. By the way, The Harvard School of Public Health reports that more than half of adolescents who sign a virginity pledge, vowing not to engage in premarital sex, recant within a year. They surveyed almost 14,000 adolescents. Even more interesting is that 3/4 of the youths who broke their vow denied ever pledging to remain abstinent. Maybe teaching them to lie is the real goal? As we celebrate the season let's remember to take car of ourselves and one way is to NOT carry a very fashionable large shoulder bag. Karen Erickson, a chiropractor says that Women are "experiencing neck pain, not just while they are carrying their purses, but all the time. A lot of women even get bad headaches." When a woman comes to her with these pain complaints, Dr. Erickson goes over and picks up the patients purse "Without fail, it weights a ton." Sasha Charnin Morrison, 42, the fashion director at U.S. Weekly admitted that her bags are so large that she often gets stuck in revolving doors. "They may not be practical, but so what? When it comes to fashion, being practical is a hugh bore." Gloria Dawson, a 25 year old photo editor, says that "the bigger the bag, the more I seem to need to bring with me." Dawson said "I carry an iPod, a book, a back-up magazine, make- up, a phone, my wallet, extra shoes and workout clothes, most of which I won't even need, but it's nice to know that it's there." Her back and shoulders know and soon her chiropractor will know. And if this isn't proof that the silly season has arrived Daughter doesn't know what would be. Daughter wishes all a wonderful holiday and would like everyone to join her in working together and supporting each other toward the elusive goal of equality.