Rock on. Don’t like the man, but I agree (for the most part) with what he said in this video:
Refreshing to see him talk about his gay daughter & display that he actually cares about her freedoms & rights.
- Dollface
Okay, so I know everyone is upset about the passage of Proposition 8 in California. I agree that it is total bullshit, and I can only hope that the Supreme Court backs up gay rights on this one.
On a related note, check out this clip of the Ellen Degeneres show in which she responds to absolutely ridiculous claims made by Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern. I know this happened awhile ago but it has just recently exploded in the media given the blatantly oppressive situation out in California. The views expressed in the clip are simultaneously hilariously laughable but also kind of frightening…it is hard for me to realize that some people actually believe theories like this.
Now, can anyone come up with an example of a society that has collapsed because of the acceptance of gay communities? I mean, really, let’s just talk about the Roman Empire – they did have those damn bath houses…
P.S. Sally Kern has refused to apologize for her statements, claiming that she said “nothing that was not true.” And not everyone is outraged either; she received a standing ovation from Republican legislators shortly after. Apparently a lot of people believe that the gay community is simply a bastion of evil that will destroy the world, so much so that even people who fulfill positions of authority in the political world can go around running their mouths like this. Let’s not forget Sally, that is was not so long ago that women were seen as evil and destructive simply by existing – you probably would have been burned at the stake for making any statement at all. If you want to talk about indoctrination, perhaps you should look towards your own state and the policies you help pass there. She actually attempted to remove books that supported gays and lesbians from public libraries! So now we are getting to decide not only who can get married and to whom, but what books we can read? Come on Sally, that ain’t America, “the home of the free.”
- Harlequin
You may already know Barbara Ehrenreich as the author of Nickel and Dimed. The best-selling author and columnist has just come out with a new book: This Land is Their Land: Reports from a Divide Nation. As you can surmise from the title (a play on the song This Land is Our Land), the book is a largely satirical, probing work that covers governmental and societal corruption in politics, economics, healthcare, and even the workforce. However, the chapters are divided into easily digestible portions of 2-3 pages, making this book both engaging and easy to read on your commute to work, or on lunch breaks. Ehrenreich’s satire is scathing and the pop culture references scattered throughout are pertinent and current.
I must say I enjoyed the book, not only because I tend to agree with many of her political positions, but because her arguments are generally well-reasoned and researched. Some of my favorite pieces included “Class Struggle 101,” a chapter on disparities of income and quality of life between classes as exemplified by university staff (for example, note the “pay gradient from housekeeper (approximately $19,000/year) to president ($380,000 for Miami University’s David Hodge and about $870,000 for Yale’s Richard Levin”). Not only does Ehrenreich provide alarming statistics but she presents them in an entertaining format: this chapter is set up as college course offerings (Presidential Architecture; Topics in University Financing; Elementary Class Structure of the United States). Similarly, in “Freshpersons, Welcome To Debt!” Ehrenreich creates a tongue-in-cheek college brochure that tells students why they should accept the outrageous price of college.
Another particularly engaging chapter is entitled, “Workplace Bullies.” Ehrenreich discusses workplace hierarchies and abuses of power. She reasons that sometimes office politics and rankism gets in the way of the job – and can be harmful to those on the lower rungs of the corporate food chain. I also enjoyed her section “Bonfire of the Princesses” in which she unpacks the problems of the Disney Princess industry and the harmful ways it has been shaping the minds of young girls. In her typical ironic approach, she calls for a “mass uprising of the long-suffering serfs. Assemble your neighbors and make a holiday bonfire out of all that plastic and tulle! March on Disney World with pitchforks held high!”
Ehrenreich truly covers a wide range of topics, from feminism and racism to illegal immigrants and corporate greed. Her satirical essays address timely debates and topics that many would shy away from. While I enjoyed most of her arguments, I felt that some were both out of place and less substantial than the rest. Examples would include her chapter on gay marriage, “How Banning Gay Marriage Will Destroy the Family.” Though I agree that gay marriage should be legalized, her argument was lacking. She makes the connection that if gay couples can’t get married, the government is essentially condoning extra-marital sex. Therefore, Ehrenreich claims that soon people will prefer relationships that aren’t defined by the state in favor of partying until they’re 50 years old and never being tied down. Not only is this unrealistic, but it makes it seem that gay couples are uncommitted and casual. Her chapter supports the illogical notion that all relationships are frivolous until marriage. I doubt this was Ehrenreich’s intention, especially since her other arguments are much more coherent and thoughtful. Perhaps this chapter (and several others) should be read merely as provocative and over the top, rather than containing much substance.
Overall I would recommend this book. This Land is Their Land is a timely, interesting anthology of Ehrenreich’s satirical essays and passionate arguments. Ehrenreich is a champion of the middle and lower economic classes and she raises many great points about the corruption and greed that has taken over the United States. At the end of her book she has a chapter on fleeing America – she discusses the fact that many people are fed up with how the country is being run and seek solace in other countries. I think, however, her main point is this: America, as fucked up as it may seem, has good people and strong roots in democracy. I think Ehrenreich would like to see America improved rather than abandoned by those who are fed up with the government, healthcare, and so on. Personally, I see the seeds of positive change coming from the Obama campaign. If Obama is elected President, maybe we can, as a country, work towards the goals of improving our nation. We don’t need to be a super power, but I’d like to see the United States become a country I can be proud of.
Have you read this book or similar ones? Care to share your thoughts or opinions? Comment here. Also, check out other book reviews by clicking on “Rotten Reading List” at the top of our site.
Taking your husband’s last name. Does anyone do that anymore? Sure, traditionally the woman takes the man’s last name, but now there are several options.
The latest trend in marital surnames seems to be the hyphenated name. Romijn-Stamos, Jolie-Pitt. If the celebrities are doing it, why not? However, this seems to be more complicated than it needs to be. Whose name goes first? Will your children take both names or choose one? What if they marry and want a hyphenated name? Will there be little Jolie-Pitt-Smiths running around in the next few decades?
From a feminist standpoint, I would say there are several arguments. Some people maintain that taking on the man’s name is old-fashioned and out-dated. If women are equal, shouldn’t they retain their own last name? Better yet, why doesn’t the man take the woman’s name? (There is a growing number of husbands who do just that, actually).
However, many feminists would also argue that the women’s rights movement is about equality of choice between men and women. Under that logic, it would really depend on the individual to decide whether to take their spouse’s name. If a woman finds it romantic to take her husband’s surname, then by all means, do so!
Unfortunately, in a patriarchal society like the United States, men taking on a woman’s name is stigmatized to a certain degree. If a man even wants to take on his wife’s surname, he faces confusion & misunderstanding from others. If women can make the choice with ease, men should be able to as well. Interestingly enough, men face legal obstacles in some states when it comes to changing their name. Only in some states (such as Georgia, Iowa, Hawaii, and Massachusetts) are there provisions under the law that allow for men to change their name through marriage just as easily as women. For there to be a true equality of choice, there should be such provisions in every state.
Let me not forget to address same-sex couples. In the state of Massachusetts and parts of California it is possible for same-sex couples to get married. In these marriages, deciding to take on your spouse’s name is really up to the individual. However, since these couples are the same sex, are there provisions under the law for an easy name-change? I tried looking this up, but couldn’t find much information. Questions like these will become more prominent once same-sex marriages are legalized in more states (hopefully sooner than later).
What are your thoughts on the matter? Will you take your future husband/wife’s name, or create a new one altogether?
