I feel as though I ranted enough last week about how frustrating sexism is to me, but I guess this will be part 2. I know that there are different forms of sexism and that it isn't mutually exclusive to women, but women have and may always be at the forefront of this topic. Last week I spent majority of the my blog discussing women, I think it's the men's turn this week.

This entire semester I seem to have been wishing on stars. Wishing that my mistakes will not be contributed to my race, wishing that people would start caring about others, wishing that inequality would some how disappear, wishing that discrimination no longer existed, wishing that people would see that I'm here based on merits not a top ten percent rule, and now I have to delve into sexism?

I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation in class in which we discussed why men aren't taking on "female roles" and "female jobs". It's about time that it was brought up that the decision to not partake in "women's work" is based on salary, not the description or nature of the job. I may be wrong, but this is an opinion piece.  In many ways I feel as though women along with societal pressures are somewhat to blame for men not taking on these roles. I know plenty of women that would not date a man that was a secretary, a child care worker, or an elementary school teacher, simply because of it's consideration as a "woman's job" and it's not considered manly enough. They feel as though he's not masculine enough, or couldn't provide for his family if he's doing "woman's work". Well, if a man knows that he's not going to be able to have a relationship or date as he pleases then why would he continue in that field. It's the same as when men are stay at home dads they constantly get haggled about not having a job, but when a woman does it then she's superwoman.

We live in a world full of double standards, and it's going to take people like us to overcome it. Society formulates what is normal and abnormal for a man and a woman to do, and we go along with it. I found this commercial that I just thought, WOW, is this really the standard that I place on men, unconsciously?

Now back to the women for a second....

I recently viewed this commercial and I wasn't offended, but I was constantly reminded of how women are perceived by some men. This idea that we can't fix a drain without a man, or that we're going to lust after the handyman is outrageous.It seems to that women are simply supposed to be sexual, no intelligence, no will power, no goals, just a sexual being put here for men. I'm sure most of you have seen it, but just in case you haven't..here goes. 

     It's hard to believe that sexism still exists. I literally just thought to myself "it's 2012 and we're still fighting for equality, seriously?" I constantly wonder what is it that makes people think women are inferior. Is it our caring nature, our ability to love, or our sensitivity (keeping in mind that all women are not like that)? In most countries women are considered inferior to men and aren't granted the same opportunities, there lie's a constant glass ceiling. But upon reading Zinn's text I began to think about how some of the cultures that he discusses are headed by women, which by the way astonished me. He stated that "women in the Plains Indian tribes of the Midwest did not have farming duties but had a very important place in the tribe as healers, herbalists, and sometimes holy people who gave advice." (Zinn, 2010, p. 104) With that I think, now why is it that in some religions women can't be  in charge of the church? Why can't America have the same standards as others in regard to treating women with respect?  Women have come so far only to hit the glass ceiling once again.

      It seems as though women can't be beautiful, smart, and intelligent in today's society. It's a shame that women in politics or business can't show that they have a well maintained shape in fear of not being taken seriously. What kind of society do we live in where women have to hide there feminism in order for our ideas to have precedence? What does it say to the younger generation when older female anchors get replaced by younger "prettier" reporters? Seriously, what kind of example are we setting? If you so happen to have an enlarged chest, then some see you as a "bimbo" and you can't possibly be smart (obvious sarcasm). I know I have more questions then answers, but this topic is extremely difficult for me. It's hard to know that regardless of my career, most likely a man with the same educational background will make more then me.

     Honestly, I'm constantly thinking about sexism because of the field that I one day hope to enter. I love social work, but after I graduate I plan on entering the Air Force. I know that this field is male dominated, especially the officers, but I can't help where my passion lies. I'm having to prepare myself for some of the names I'm going to be called, the way I'm going to be judged, knowing that people think that "I'm not going to be able to do it because I'm not as strong as a man". I would be lying if I stated that I'm not nervous. I'm nervous because I'm an African american female (officer hopeful), entering a Caucasian male dominated field, so only God knows how this experience will be.

I found this video that I thought was quite interesting and worth sharing. Any who, I'll leave you with your thoughts.

As much as I try to, I can't seem to get the Walmart documentary out of my head. I sat there the whole film trying to fight back tears. I felt as though I was partially responsible for what was happening to thousands of businesses that were affected because of the Walmart enterprise.  Personally I shop their religiously. As a college student I look for the best bargains, and now I know the truth behind why I'm able to pay so little.

It's now become a parody every time I witness a Walmart commercial. They don't care about their employees, the communities they invade or how or if they're able to survive. They just seem to care about overworking the already overworked and collecting every dime they can in the process. I have friends and family that work at Walmart and most of them don't even know that they are getting "screwed".  The High Price of Low Cost couldn't have been a more appropriate title for this documentary.


Walmart affects so many lives that I didn't even know existed. Of everything that this documentary entailed I think that the hardest thing for me to get over will be the workers that lived in the horrendous dorms of China. I can't believe that they expected people to live in those dorms, work all day for three dollars a day, produce quality products and be able to feed their families on that  wage. It will forever and always continue to boggle my mind. I may be extreme in saying this, but from now on, Walmart will never see another dime of my money.

They are punishing people for wanting to have a decent living and a chance at a better life by establishing a union. For years people work at Walmart, and for little to nothing. I for one refuse to be a part of anything that involves Walmart, until they make better choices for the people that buy from them and work for them.