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Hey ladies...

May 4

Written by: Jennifer Madsen
5/4/2009 12:01 PM 

 
The time to nominate a Supreme Court Justice is at hand and the media has begun to forecast the winner of the latest political horse race. The talking heads are focused on the gender and race of each possible nominee. My Great Grandmother’s generation broke the societal norm and fought for women’s suffrage. My Grandmother was one of the first female Marines. My mother burned her bra in a statement of sexual liberty. Now my generation will happily accept promotions and political nominations based on our gender? If a woman was denied a position because of her gender, the outrage would be heard from coast to coast. Promote a woman to fill a quota and all is well. I do not want special treatment as a woman. 

I want the opportunity to proof myself along the same set of standards as the men in my field. For generations we have fought for equality, only to sacrifice that equality on the altar of political correctness. I do not need a special program or quota to succeed. I am a self made woman and proud of it. I would rather go head to head with the boys on a level playing field and lose, then win by stacking the deck. As women where is our sense of pride? We wanted a chance to prove that we are just as capable as men, but demand a special set of rules. By demanding these special exceptions, quotas and legislative initiatives we are only enforcing the stereotype our Mother’s fought so hard to dismiss. The stereotype that claimed women are the weaker sex.
 
I am insulted by government bid laws, which show preference to female business owners. I want female business owners to receive government contracts, but not because they are women. These jobs should be awarded to the company that offers the best value to the tax payer. We would be outraged if tax dollars were given to a politician’s family member based on their relationship. Why are we not outraged by preferential treatment of our sisters?    Like every other government program, the quotas and preference signal that the institution doubts our ability. From the state legislature to the oval office, the people in power lower our standards because we can not prosper any other way. Programs that allow us to succeed even if we are not he best are insulting and stifling the growth of female professionals
 
I will take on any political opponent in the arena of ideas and I do not need a special program to win. I have passion, intelligence and determination. I will not be successful in every venture I attempt, but I know that my triumph and my failure is the result of my labor. Gentlemen, please do not hold back. The more my ideas are questions, the better my arguments become. Those who support the notion of identity politics may soon come to regret their choices. Do they really want to give me a head start? Ladies, as we rise to positions of power, we have a duty to undue these sexist policies. We have an obligation to our daughters; an obligation to provide them with the opportunity to prove themselves. 
 
But no one listens to me.
 

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1 comment(s) so far...

Re: Hey ladies...

Jennifer, you are a rare breed these days. We need more people like yourself who are more committed to honesty and honor than a simple promotion based on some political quota.Keep speaking the truth from your heart. I think more people are listening to you than you know.

By kwoodrin on   5/7/2009 12:42 PM

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