| | Sexist traditions not okayMarch 23, 2011 - Ashley HoholikWhile the Upper Peninsula may appear to be making its way into the 21st Century (with the small, but significant availability of technology, electronics, and — finally — more cell phone towers), it is still lacking in one of the most important areas: societal advancement. The main culprit? Sexism. Before any man reading this turns off his brain, consider this — when is the last time that you saw a national television advertisement boasting a “homemaker” sale? That’s right — you can’t remember. When is the last time you saw one originating in our area? That’s right — November. For those of you that don’t know, sexism is the safe haven for prejudice, discrimination, and mindless stereotypes — mainly against women. It is an excuse for the people indulging in this mindset to deny the capabilities of the opposite sex. The U.P. isn’t alone in its sexist tendencies — the nation is sprinkled with those wishing to ignore the obvious and keep women in their pretty, little glass boxes. After all, they want these ‘lesser’ individuals to see everything they are missing. Whether sexism stems from a person’s fear of a woman’s advancement, or the strong desire to hold on to their backwoods tradition of locking women in the house, it exists, and rather blatantly so in the U.P. One example: hunting season. Touted as a deeply-ingrained ‘tradition’, hunting season can be used for good. However, there appear to be many who abuse what could be considered a multi-gender activity. Those who raid the liquor stores, brandish a gun like luck has nothing to do with it, and absurdly claim days or weeks from family and work like it is some 17th century birth right. For these abusers, there are the perpetuators. The ads claiming that, in exchange for a man’s abrupt embrace of anything outside of the domesticity he so willing bestows on a woman, a piece of jewelry will suffice. Maybe furniture as well? After all, if you give a woman something shiny to stare at while she sits in her newly furnished home, she will not think about the fact that the men get to shrug off their lives for these vacations that can only be described as a sad collision of prehistoric hunts and modern convenience. Yet, this type of sexist propaganda is readily accepted in the U.P. The very meaning of the word ‘tradition’ is twisted beyond recognition to accommodate the juvenile desire of those men wishing to use hunting as an excuse to escape the mundane. Another sexist safe haven — sports. There are special occasions when I get a sneak peek into the realm of U.P. sports. During these spirited encounters with a field dominated by testosterone, I have been continuously surprised at the sexist attitude of SOME of those covering and/or watching girls’ events. The girls who work as much as boys to gain a sense of teamwork, self-worth, enjoyment, and notoriety are sometimes dismissed even before they have a chance to display their talent. I have heard comments about how girls do not accept the role of an athlete — how they act more like cheerleaders or fans than someone playing a sport. Listened in on demeaning comments about their appearances. In a phone conversation with one male tv reporter from further north (and in this case, isolation), I was astounded by his attitude toward the girls’ sports he covers. When I pushed the conversation a little, he actually referred to the girls’ sports as a “joke”. If only the girls knew that their efforts are so entertaining. Only in an environment that accepts sexism would comments like this be made. On top of sports and hunting, there have been numerous instances throughout the years that have caught me off guard — especially in the workforce (but this topic is for another time). Maybe I am missing something, or maybe my brain failed to stall out at the archaic level as so many men in this area. For those men who actually understand that a woman is their equal, despite appearances — by which so men many are easily confused — thank you. To those who walk around taking advantage of the fact that we lack the continuous and needed presence of the high-profile female that is so prominent in some more urban areas; who look down on women trying their hand at a ‘traditionally’ male-dominated field, career or sport; and who, in the airy space that fills their cranial cavity, still picture each women in an apron and surrounded by children, remember: you have the ability to overpower your testosterone-fueled ego by actually activating the mass you lug around behind naive eyes. You have the ability to see that women deserve respect, cannot be bought by 1940s marketing, are entitled to an environment where they can grow and ascend without the constraint of outdated practices and thinking. And they can absolutely play sports. Article Comments(7)opinatedtfbAug-25-11 9:00 AM Ms. Ashley: Before you start ranting about sexism, please do yourself a favor and learn how to use paragraphs!! Most people who practice severe sexism, are old (from a different generation and time) and for the most part are unaware of what they are doing unless someone points it out. Since you have such a gripe about it, why not take the free time you apparently have and go walk the streets and educate people freely. Most people say the same thing about chauvinism. If a younger guy says ma'am or sir too many females think that guy is a male chauvinist. I was raised in a time where you always address people with titles, such as ma'am, sir, Ms. etc. and this was done to show the person you were talking to respect. In today's society, its practically non existent and that's why when there is one person who does it, they are considered chauvinists, except for maybe military people in dress. Don't call someone by their first name unless you know them and are friends with them henry64May-12-11 12:14 PM Ashley really needs to lighten up. Trying to find sexism in simple things such as a "home-maker's sale" and the tradition of hunting camp is really stretching it, in my opinion. The last time I checked, people generally choose their own path in life. If certain women wish to be a home-maker what is wrong with that if they find it satisfying and what is wrong with a business that markets to them? As far as hunting camp goes the majority of hunters are men, thus hunting camps and such are going to be male dominated. In any activity dominated by one gender, you are going to see the extreme representation of said gender. She goes on to complain about mindless stereotypes in the U.P. But, in the process, she stereotypes people that like to engage in typical U.P. traditions. God forbid a man get his woman a nice piece of jewelry to show his appreciation of her tolerance of his yearly tradition of going to hunting camp. It's not jewelry. It's symbolism. The last thing I ManderApr-26-11 8:49 PM The basic premise of this is completely off base to begin with. To say that the UP is lacking in the area of societal advancement - sure, but to say sexism is the main culprit? I think not. Lack of diversity and the existence of racism are the main societal holdup we have locally - not that the men hunt (many women do as well, by the way - and take time off their jobs, from being a parent, etc, to do so). That's not even beginning to touch how much I so totally disagree with everything else she wrote. skiweedsApr-26-11 3:56 PM dont forget sexism is against males as well. many restaurants in town wont even hire male waiters. cant say i blame them though. girls always make more tips than guys. also for many people hunting camp is a guys only thing. a chance to get away from that nagging wife. if men allow women in their hunting camp, thats perfectly fine. but they should never be forced to allow women. its their camp, their rules. leave them alone. DasHumanApr-21-11 9:20 PM Frankly I think Ashley needs to reevaluate her own attitudes and beliefs. For example, she assumes that I'm a woman simply because I'm a homemaker. Wrong. She assumes that I'll turn my brain off because she has chosen to write about sexism simply because I'm a man. Why would a writer deliberately lob insults directed at one gender if not to cause problems rather than solve them? I'm afraid that people like Ashley exist to divide rather than unite. That's sad for her, and it's unpleasant for the rest of us. And frankly if she plans to spend her life walking around with a chip on her shoulder, she'll find no shortage of people willing to knock it off. But maybe she's only comfortable playing an adversarial role in her relationships? If not, then she needs to seriously reconsider her approach. Elissa82Apr-19-11 9:53 AM If we look to men as the enemy and not partners in life, women will never break that glass ceiling, and we will be the sexist ones. Elissa82Apr-19-11 9:52 AM Ashley, You are right that sexism exists. Jobs that are primarily male-driven get more pay than jobs women have, and women need more education than men to compete in the workforce. There is still a glass ceiling for women and women that want careers and maybe don't want children have to defend their choice on a daily basis. Speaking out against such issue is important to make change happen. I thank you for your passion towards the cause. However, hunting season is not like you described for every household. Empowering women does not mean we have to take away men's right to pursue their own interests. It's okay for them to do manly things, as long as it is counteracted with women being allowed to take a vacation, too. Maybe go to a spa, on a trip with the girls, or pursuing their own passions in life. The best place to counteract sexism is in your own life. Split household tasks fairly, treat each other with respect, and encourage each family member to do the things they love to do. If Post a Comment | in: News, Blogs & Events Web |
