Ramblings on International Women’s day

  I didn’t know that today was International Women’s day and I wonder what does it say about me.  In France, some TV programs like Télématin (a French version of a TV morning show) have all women journalists on this day except for the main presenter who is the star of the show. This day is a bigger deal in some countries than in others even though I think that it is a good thing that there is such a thing as Women’s day. To talk about women in American, I think that I should talk about Kate O’Beirne and about her book. I saw recently an interview of her on C-Span and I thought that her views were fascinating because of the fact that she has a different vision of women, gender roles, and society. I don’t agree with any of it, but I think that the fact she is expressing her opinion is a good thing because it gives women the opportunity to hear different point of views and to decide which one fit with their worldview. However, what I didn’t like is the way she deliberately put down some women that she didn’t like by saying as the title of her book say that they are making the world worse (it is no longer just America, it is the world). She gave of course the examples of Hillary Clinton and of Jane Fonda, who are, in her opinion, putting their feminist ideology above the welfare of women. What I deplore is that too often the debate among women goes to such a low level that some feel the need to point fingers and to cast stones. Meghan O’Rourke had an interesting article in Slate titled “Desperate Feminist Wives” which discussed equality and happiness. I did not agree with much of what she says. As a woman, I am sick and tired of every one of my choices being overanalyzed that I sometimes feet like one of those monkeys that are used to tested new pharmaceutical products. However, strangely enough, I agreed with her conclusion when she wrote, “sometimes the personal is just personal.” I think that the key for women is to be able to make personal decisions without having to worry about whether they are doing the right thing for others or for society and yes, about whether they are giving the right example to other women. Finally, because women’s day is international in nature, I wanted to take you to South Africa where an ex-vice president, Jacob Zuma is being tried for rape. What is fascinating about this trial is not only what is happening inside, but also what is happening outside. The accuser testified yesterday and she had to hear songs by the supporters of Jacob Zuma denigrating her name while watching her picture being burned. South Africa has had a problem with rape for a long time, but unfortunately because of mostly of traditional beliefs that make it difficult for rape to be viewed as a crime rather than a natural (and thus tolerable) act, very few things have been done to punish harshly and justly men who rape. What I fear is that even if Mr. Zuma is condemned, when he gets out of jail (he won’t get a long sentence), and he will run for office by using his condemnation for a sexual act as a badge of honor. However, the accuser is always going to be just that: a woman who accused a powerful man of rape just because he slept with her. She will never be a victim. She is always going to be the whore (the defense got the right to use her personal history) who tried to bring down a popular political figure.