Many possible blog topics have popped into my head over the last while, but most have popped out again, or I wasn't sure how to phrase them or make them interesting to anyone not currently living inside my head. I have hesitated about this blog for about 2 weeks...
It was recently International Women's Day, which is cool. I honestly didn't know that that was a thing. I don't personally feel disadvantaged because of my gender. Of course, that's because I am lucky enough to be a white, English speaking woman with a good education and a liberal background. I am a scientist, but I think females are less under represented in biology than they are in other scientific fields.
NOW.
I do not for a second forget that I was able to study science and be in the field that I am because of female scientists that broke ground before me. Women like
Dr. Sylvia Earle who did ground-breaking scientific work that was reported in the general media in a completely patronising way (she was literally described as a "real life mermaid" - I wrote about this previously). And, women closer to home. In a rare conversation that wasn't all about my PhD with my supervisor, she pointed out how difficult it was for women to get berths on research vessels or to be taken seriously as scientists. I owe my career to women like her (
not least of all for all her help with my PhD) and, more widely, the women that fought for the vote and equal rights.
I feel a little weird about the possibility of getting funding from a particular source just because I am female and I am never sure about joining "Women in Science" groups because, like I said, I don't feel disadvantaged.
And yet, even in my non-disadvantaged way I can't avoid the fact that there are still some things that make me, as a woman, feel frustrated. Last year during the course, my dad was in town and joined us for a braai on "National Braai Day". One of the attendees said to my dad, "You must be proud of your beautiful daughter". I recognise that is a nice statement, a complementary statement but at the same time... "You must be proud of your successful, efficient, organised, intelligent daughter" (just one would work, I am not greedy) would have made me so much happier because it was, after all, a work event (and I am all those things! ;))
In a strictly work environment I don't want to be described as beautiful. I don't want to be hit on. I don't want to have to worry about whether my friendly, helpfulness is being misinterpreted.
In a more recent conversation, a person I don't really know (
and who clearly doesn't know me) suggested that feminism is a bad thing or associated with man-hating. Let's be clear, most of the women and I presume, (
because why wouldn't they be?) most of the men I know, are feminists. Being a feminist doesn't mean that I don't want to wear dresses, wear make-up or shave my legs (
I don't really want to do that, but sometimes do anyway), it just means that I want to be seen as more than those things.
I don't need to be an androgynous man-hater to be a feminist.
It is a minefield, of course, because we are human and generalisations make life easier (
and to my shame, I do occasionally objectify very handsome men - but not just because he is handsome, he also controls thunder which is awesome). Just don't presume that because
I like pink (
it is a fun colour that makes me happy when I wear it) and wear dresses (
they are comfi - give it a try), you shouldn't take me seriously. Yes, I like
pink, but I also know how to use a drill and shoot arrows (
ANOTHER recent conversation with a gent at archery, his wife does shopping while he is at archery which he thinks makes sense because of traditional "hunter/gatherer" roles - don't get me started on his thoughts about genderising LEGO). Another trickiness is that I am also single and don't want to be forever, but I don't want someone making me feel icky either.
Even making sweeping statements like: "let one of the young girls take the notes because they have nicer handwriting" is a silly thing to say - although, I do have lovely handwriting and if you make me take the notes I will write my own thoughts first.
I'm not disadvantaged but many women still are. Many women around the world don't have access to the same freedoms and privileges that I have (which I have as a result of the women that came before me). In South Africa it is culturally acceptable for a man to have multiple wives but not for a woman to have multiple husbands. This is inequality (Not that I want multiple husbands, I just want it recognised that it devalues women). In South Africa, recently it is more dangerous for women to seek solitude or exercise in open spaces and while that refers to particular incidents that made news - crime affects all genders - horrible incidents occur in this country everyday in townships and informal settlements where women can't protect themselves and men think it is OK to treat them like property.
This blog, doesn't do anything useful. It does not help those women at all, unfortunately, I am not sure how. It is my personal opinion that as long as we tip toe around cultural polygamy and patriarchal practices women won't be equal in South Africa - not in the hearts and minds of men or, unfortunately, women (because women are often as bad about this, for example one women said she couldn't do all the work on the island because she was a women which is rubbish because there are other women that could have done it - I know some pretty amazing women - and some pretty amazing men).
I have some very strong opinions and a tendency to be obnoxious, or a bit of a buzz kill, which, believe it or not, I do try keep under wraps so I try not to moan at people I don't really know. BUT, I think I need to do what I can to make sure the women that come after me don't feel disadvantaged. I'm not sure how, but at very least it's by being the best I can be, talking about this issue and being a tiny bit of a brat.
I LOVE this video of Emma Watson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Dg226G2Z8&feature=youtu.be She is genius and far more eloquent than I am.
"If not me, who? If not now, when?"
Read these posts for a different perspective:
This one is fabulous: http://mic.com/articles/100466/13-feminist-comedians-prove-just-how-fun-challenging-the-patriarchy-can-be#.y3RcIX6f4
Science gender gap: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/04/30/sexism-in-science-peer-editor-tells-female-researchers-their-study-needs-a-male-author/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/01/08/men-on-the-internet-dont-believe-sexism-is-a-problem-in-science-even-when-they-see-evidence/
Life is hectic and stressful and the world is starting to feel a little like Voldemort is gaining power. There are droughts and floods and mass dies offs and increasing racism and right wing tendencies even in countries we thought we could count on to be rational and nice (Sweden, I am so disappointed).
And yet, there is also so much beauty and happiness and good in the world. I think we all need to make a proper effort to appreciate that. And I don't mean snapping a quick picture with your camera phone but really properly focusing on all the good things. I know it might sound frivolous or new age-y but, so what? We get bombarded by bad news all the time let's just take a moment to actively look for goodness and happiness.
More and more it seems that being a workaholic is something to be proud of, but really, so is being a good friend, an interesting person and someone that appreciates beauty and Pinotage. The Awkward Yeti is awesome, follow your heart! See LINK and LINK and oh, LINK.
