A woman often faces cultural prejudice and probably, in many a society, even more so when she makes more money than a man.
I so often read about increasing Violence Against Women & I wonder, if women had more power, would the violence reduce ?? Do we need the involvement of men ?
In my day to day life I have come to realize that Women need to raise their own awareness & voice her opinion even if this means standing against the tide. She needs friends & well wishers who will help her look within her own consciousness for answers, instead of looking to false power to combat false power. She needs people who can treat her as a human being
I’ve always admired Marianne Williamson’s writing, her views & quotes. Her views on women’s treatment in society is eloquently expressed in the below quote :
“Much of the prejudice against women is stored at an unconscious level. Many of those with the most punishing attitudes towards passionate women -and free women are passionate women – consider themselves social liberals, even feminists. Women’s rights seem to them to be of obvious importance, but what is not obvious to them is how much they conspire to keep the lid on female power. Female power transcends what are thought of as “woman’s issues”. Female power involves women taking part in the conversation either in the public arena or the dinner table, and having the same emotional space in which to do so as men. It means women not having to fear punishment of any kind. It means women not having to worry that they will be considered “unfeminine” if they speak up. It means women really coming out to play and getting support for their playing from men as well as women.
Until this is accomplished, political, economic and reproductive freedom will still not be enough. We will not be free until we can speak our minds and our hearts without having to worry that men will crucify us, women will crucify us, the press will crucify us, or our children will be ashamed… Women are still in emotional bondage as long as we feel we have to make a choice between being heard and being loved.
” Marianne Williamson