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Sarah Palin Was A Token….and is now a what? « .Elise.Anne..

Can a woman be successful in politics without prostituting her image? Hillary receives a lot of negative response to her supposedly unfeminine image, but she does not have nearly as many sexually doctored photos circling on the internet, have people voting for her because of her sex appeal, or have people passing her off as a ditz or bimbo. Sarah was marketed as the polar opposite. She receives a lot of negative attention for her stylish feminine image in the form of critiques and sexism, but she doesn’t have nearly as many people call her b-tch, butch, power-hungry, man-eating, man-controlling, etc. The goal is to not sell out in either way. To be able to be “feminine” and respected as a woman, not a sexual plaything, and not as only as good as her designer label or complimenting accessories. To also be practical (duh!) in appearance and image, and respected as a woman, not as a b-tch, assumed lesbian, or man eater.

You should read more of Elise’s post when you get the chance the entire post is pretty awesome. I think when you are a minority in a majority context the question of selling out will arise in some form or other. Irv Cross, was the first African-American sportscaster on national television, and for a while served as the Athletic Director at Macalester College. I had the privilege of hearing him speak at a Macalester Christian Fellowship meeting where he shared the story of how in his first season on tv, the producers had wanted him to dress with his shirt open down to his chest, and wearing a large gold chain (he also tells this story here).  They wanted him to be the sex symbol, to be an African American stereotype. They wanted him to sell out. Cross refused, it wasn’t who he was.

It’s hard being the first of your kind, whether that kind is female, African American, queer, Korean, etc. There’s always the pressure to either sell out by becoming a caricature, or to sell out by suppressing that part of your identity that is different. To not be a sell out is, like Cross, to know who you are, and what are the things that make you who you are. To not be a sell out also means to understand the world around you, and the boxes that the world wants to put you in. To not sell out means to know your boundaries and your margins long before they are tested, so that when the time comes it is easy for you to say “This far, but no further.”

On the large scale of things, I’ve been fine, but I’ve also been at a point in life where I am considering the directions of my life and making concrete decisions. That naturally involves considering this blog and what’s it’s purpose. I suspect (though I make no promises) that my next post will be talking about some of that, and why I’m not sure the title of the blog is appropriate any more. In the meantime, I’d like to hear what you think of the issue of selling out. It’s a complicated question that has more facets than I’ve included above. I’d love to hear some comments.

Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.

I HAVE been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention’s leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be “subservient” to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service.
Losing my religion for equality | theage.com.au.

via:Eugene Cho

A little bit of old news, but I wanted to point people to this Jimmy Carter’s article outlining his decision to leave the Southern Baptist Convention. I’m not a part of the Southern Baptist Convention in large part because of this very reason, so I support/endorse his decision. You should check out the article, it’s very well written, and it also contains this gem.

I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy – and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.

The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.

I haven’t heard about this group at all, but it intrigues me, so I’ll be looking into, and checking out what they do. Only, after I finish this paper.

By saying what she said about gay unions moments after the swimsuit competition, Ms. California was basically telling the world, “We do the same things, but for gay people it’s sin. Lust is good, objectifying my body is normal, the fulfillment of all desire is good.” Then, on the other hand, she says to the gay and lesbian world, “But you can’t do any of this, because you’re different.”

Such an episode reveals the inner contradiction of our own sexual life and politics as evangelicals.

via:Miss California and the Politics of Sexual Redemption | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders.

One of the many thoughts that have come to my mind since starting seminary is that Sex, Sexuality, Orientation, Gender Identity  and the “politics”  surrounding all of these things are very complicated and are rarely addressed (both inside and outside the church) in a way that reflects that there are more dimensions to this than political lines would have you think.

The article above from Christianity Today looks at it from a different viewpoint, and I think it makes some very good points. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Inhabitots » BarbieFoot Barbie Foosball Table!.

Unrealistic body images of Barbie aside, I love this idea. And to be honest, I do like it in part because it is Barbie. This would be a good way to communicate to girls that they don’t have to choose between “sporty” and “girly” but that both aspects of their identity can co-exist if they choose to.