"Victim" by the definition of the word implies death or utter vanquish.  To consider yourself a victim of anything implies that you have been defeated by it.  A true victim does not have the power to rise above and defeat the instrument of injustice, persecution, disease or natural disaster he or she has experienced.  To consider yourself a victim means that you accept the instrument of your defeat and that you are powerless to change.  That's why I loathe that word and its implications as it is the antithesis of everything I have been taught to believe and everything I have achieved or aspired to achieve.

Feminists claim that women are inherently victims, oppressed by men, oppressed by nature and forbidden by the established social order to succeed in the marketplace.  According to feminists, women can only achieve "equality" by tearing down men, by establishing punitive and counter-productive quotas in hiring, by deemphasizing the importance of marriage and family and the influence of fathers upon their children.

The "victim" assertion goes on to state that in order for women to succeed and achieve they must renounce their femininity, and disacknowledge the fact that men and women have inherent biological differences and different mental proclivities.  The "victim" theory is advanced when women are encouraged to aspire to careers for which their bodies or "mental wiring" are not suited.  Although some women may meet or exceed physical requirements for careers in law enforcement, the military or heavy industry, and those who do should be permitted every opportunity to do so if they choose to, but those who do not should not be encouraged to plot a course or plan a career for which they are doomed to fail.  If a woman aspires to any career she must adhere to exactly the same standards as males with the same job description. Women can achieve in the workplace- by  pursuing a career that capitalizes on her strengths and inherent abilities- instead of whining about biological limitations and demanding lower standards or quotas.   Though many women are short of stature and physically weaker than men, women can and do excel in many other facets of the free market- and technology is enabling women to successfully embark on more, and more lucrative, careers than in any other time in history.

Feminists also do grave injustice to children and families.  By asserting that women can "override" a simple fact of biology- the simple fact that they are entrusted with the sacred trust of conceiving and bearing children- by sanctioning and encouraging the "right" to abortion, they attempt to take away the accountability and responsibility that women have regarding the expression of their sexuality.  Instead of emphasizing that women have a vested interest in being discriminate in their sexual activity and are responsible and accountable for the implications thereof, they assert that women can deny the responsibility and accountability that comes with the expression of sexuality by committing murder.  In deemphasizing the importance of fathers in childrens' lives they create a class of people who instead of raising children with the benefit of two parents, more  emotional security and more financial resources, live off of state and federal resources- in effect substituting a welfare state for fathers. While there are situations, such as in domestic violence or abuse, in which divorce and single parentship is inevitable and is a better alternative for children, in general children fare better in a loving home with both a mother and father present and active in their lives.  This alienation of families is perhaps the most sad of the feminist "accomplishments."

I was fortunate to have grown up in a home in which my father was instrumental in teaching me and my sisters the values I hold dear, those of individual industry, responsibility and accountability.  We learned that we are the ones who will orchestrate our own successes or failures, and ultimately he imparted to us the faith and resolve that we would choose the right paths and become self-sufficient, productive, enlightened citizens.  He taught that it was essential for us to decide upon and pursue a worthwhile career and that having discretion and choosing to work were the best options to take.  This was at a time, and in a rural, poverty-ridden location, when many girls our age- most living in homes without fathers present- were becoming pregnant, dropping out of school and becoming dependent on Welfare.  He taught us that there is no limit to what we can accomplish if we educate ourselves, if we are willing to work, if we learn to use our strengths to mitigate our weaknesses.  From him we also learned the necessity of serving our community, of being facilitators for others- the concept of noblesse oblige- that in empowering, enlightening and assisting others we enrich ourselves, too.  I would rather trust my father's values than the false doctrine of feminism.  I would have been a lesser person by far if it had not been for my father's guidance and love, and I hate to think of all the children who have no such positive, affirming  influence in their lives.

Ironically enough, the feminist movement in reality has done much to subjugate women by undermining their credibility, in creating a "whiny" faction who interprets normal interaction and discourse between men and women as "sexual harassment."  Having worked in a male dominated industry my entire life I enjoy joking and teasing with "the guys."  The workday is much more pleasant if it is possible to joke and have fun, too.  While inappropriate touching or stalking are not appropriate behaviors, should a man be censured for telling an off-color joke?  In a climate of mutual respect do we have to be stuffy and formal, afraid to crack a joke or to be friendly toward a co-worker?  Here's a helpful hint for women who work around men- they don't respect women who whine- but they do respect women who achieve and who are willing to do exactly the same work -or more- than they do.  Yes, some joking and teasing may include off-color elements.  Take them for the spirit for which they are intended, and if someone does offend you or offer unwanted sexual advances, tell them- most rational, respectful people will apologize and modify their behavior accordingly.  The controversy over "sexual harassment" has become way overblown and is highly detrimental to professional women's credibility.

Feminists don't realize that the achievement of women is largely based upon the individual women themselves.  When any one segment of society receives "special rights" or entitlements no one achieves equality as the notion of "special rights" for some is the antithesis of equality.  Equality does not mean we are all the same- we are citizens who are individuals, each endowed with a unique mix of physical and mental characteristics and attributes- but we all happen to be equal under the law.  Biology according to the will of God made men and women different, each with certain weaknesses and strengths.  Women have been entrusted with different biological capabilities than men.

We are entrusted by design with the ability and the bulk of the responsibility for procreation. It might not seem fair to some that we must exercise more discretion and caution than men in sexual matters but it is reality.  We must acknowledge in the sexual arena that our choices may contribute to the conception of a child- that we would be responsible for- and that we are the ones who must take action, whether it be through abstinence or the correct use of birth control if we do not want to become pregnant.  Murder of the unborn is not an ethical option- and is just as much a crime and sin as murdering an adult or older child.  Abortion is NOT an easy out or "harmless procedure" like feminists want you to believe.  Millions of women have been duped into believing this, even as some have suffered death or permanent sterility as a result of this "procedure," not to mention the psychological damage done when these women come to terms with what they've really done.  And I will refrain from enumerating  the details of what happens to the unfortunate children, as to a person of morality and conscience the torturous, brutal killing of these unfortunates is beyond my wildest nightmares.
 
I learned recently that according to the newly-released census data that white women are the largest demographic group in my community.  We have a powerful influence not only politically but socially- we must be the "clarion call of reason" in a society that has cowed to the interests of the whiny and unmotivated for far too long.  Women have historically been the major proponents of Conservative values and of social justice- as we were the vanguard of political and social reform in the early 20th century so must we be in the 21st.  We must take responsibility for the education and growth of our children, we must take personal responsibility for achieving in our careers, and for speaking out to our communities, being facilitators for equality, opportunity and social justice, not just for women or white people but for all people.

Feminism is no better than any other whiny special interest movement that aspires to bestow "special rights" on one particular group.  The theory of feminism is in truth anti-equality, anti-children, anti-men and counter productive to the aims of women who aspire to achieve not because of  low standards or quotas but according to their talents, drive and individual merit.

"There is no weapon or arsenal more powerful than the accomplishment and will of free men and women"- Ronald Reagan

The Gipper had it right- we as a society need the talents of both men and women, and we need to recognize that our freedom is contingent upon true equality and opportunity for all citizens.  When we lose our equality we become subjects, not citizens.  We are not subjects and we are NOT victims.

Elysian Hunter
3-18-01