Tonight in the middle of writing a 10 minute feminist speech on Esther, another Lesley Gore song came on my Pandora station. This time it was "She's a Fool". I decided I needed to procrastinate and do some research. Now, Lesley Gore's history might be interesting only to me, but I was excited so here goes.
After several "do anything to make your stupid boyfriend happy because God knows you're not good enough on your own" songs, she recorded "You don't own me". I know those of you in your 60s are like, yeah we knew that, but isn't it ironic? So that was shock #1.
Then she went to Sarah Lawrence College, the world's epicenter of feminism. Shock #2
Then later in her life she came out as a Lesbian. Shock #3!
I just feel like writing her a letter and telling her how awesome her journey is, but I can't help but wonder if she regrets any of those early songs.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
No wonder the women's movement had to happen
So tonight as I struggle to finish a paper on Hebrews, I'm listening to my Pandora.com quick mix of old music. For those of you who don't know Pandora, its a website where you can type in one artist, say The Supremes and it will play music by that person as well as come up with other similar music. I have a "station" with stuff like Ella Fitzgerald, Doo-Wop groups, Glen Miller, etc.
A few minutes ago this song "That's the Way Boys are" by Lesley Gore came on. I'm going to put the lyrics up here and I'm pretty sure everyone under 40 will think it's a joke and all of my older lady friends will sadly shake their head remembering when they rocked out to it in their bobby socks. Ok here's the lyrics and if you don't know it, just picture a happy, bubbly tune similar to that "Wishin and Hopin" song (which is another song with lots of problems).
"When I'm with my guy and he watches all the pretty girls go by...Well I feel so hurt deep inside, I wish that I could die!Not a word do I say...I just look the other way!'Cause that's the way boys are!That's the way boys are!
When he treats me rough and he acts as though he doesn't really care...Well, I never tell him that he is so unfair!Plus, he loves me and I know it...But he's just afraid to show it!'Cause that's the way boys are!That's the way boys are!
Oh, when he wants to be alone...I just let him be!'Cause I know that soon enough...He will come back to me!When we have a fight, I think that I won't see him anymore!Then before I know it - there he is...Standin' at my door!
Well I let him kiss me then...'Cause I know he wants me back again!That's the way boys are!Yes, that's the way boys are!Oh, I love him!Well now, that's the way boys are!I said that's the way boys are!"
Yikes! Although, as I think about how shameful it must have been for Ms. Gore to produce that song and sing it over and over, I wonder how far we've come with the singers teens look up to today. Their messages are probably not much better only now they wear less clothes.
A few minutes ago this song "That's the Way Boys are" by Lesley Gore came on. I'm going to put the lyrics up here and I'm pretty sure everyone under 40 will think it's a joke and all of my older lady friends will sadly shake their head remembering when they rocked out to it in their bobby socks. Ok here's the lyrics and if you don't know it, just picture a happy, bubbly tune similar to that "Wishin and Hopin" song (which is another song with lots of problems).
"When I'm with my guy and he watches all the pretty girls go by...Well I feel so hurt deep inside, I wish that I could die!Not a word do I say...I just look the other way!'Cause that's the way boys are!That's the way boys are!
When he treats me rough and he acts as though he doesn't really care...Well, I never tell him that he is so unfair!Plus, he loves me and I know it...But he's just afraid to show it!'Cause that's the way boys are!That's the way boys are!
Oh, when he wants to be alone...I just let him be!'Cause I know that soon enough...He will come back to me!When we have a fight, I think that I won't see him anymore!Then before I know it - there he is...Standin' at my door!
Well I let him kiss me then...'Cause I know he wants me back again!That's the way boys are!Yes, that's the way boys are!Oh, I love him!Well now, that's the way boys are!I said that's the way boys are!"
Yikes! Although, as I think about how shameful it must have been for Ms. Gore to produce that song and sing it over and over, I wonder how far we've come with the singers teens look up to today. Their messages are probably not much better only now they wear less clothes.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
More Hopeful
Last week I thought the world was ending. This week things look better.
Sunday was an amazing day. I did my first full service and I think it went really well. More importantly, my whole family came out to support me, including those who haven't been in church in years and years.
For Mom's birthday/my Aunt and Uncle's anniversary, we went out to a fancy brunch. French toast and penne ala vodka always renew my faith in God.
Then yesterday at our first event of BGLASS week, 95 people showed up! It was amazing and definitely a sign that this community is turning toward a more open, loving stance.
Erin's coming to visit this weekend! I love seeing my MS friends because they remind me of who I am in a way and what I've been through.
All in all, I'm pumped!
Sunday was an amazing day. I did my first full service and I think it went really well. More importantly, my whole family came out to support me, including those who haven't been in church in years and years.
For Mom's birthday/my Aunt and Uncle's anniversary, we went out to a fancy brunch. French toast and penne ala vodka always renew my faith in God.
Then yesterday at our first event of BGLASS week, 95 people showed up! It was amazing and definitely a sign that this community is turning toward a more open, loving stance.
Erin's coming to visit this weekend! I love seeing my MS friends because they remind me of who I am in a way and what I've been through.
All in all, I'm pumped!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
While I take five minutes to catch my breath...
Hey everyone. Hopefully you haven't given up on me even though I haven't posted in a month. Things have been very busy. With midterms and working at a church, I feel like I haven't really had any time to reflect, but here are some things on my mind.
I'm very concerned about the cycles of Imperialism and its relation to religion. For instance, we read an article for class about the Spanish conquest of Latin and South America in the 16th century. Although they basically were committing genocide, the Spanish felt they were doing it for God. Sparing you from multiple other examples of this throughout history, I'll jump to the Iraq War. There is so much Christian language that goes along with the war that makes me very uncomfortable since it is ultimately also a war about gold, or oil in this case. I find it very important that the church speak the truth in these instances and yet I don't see it doing much now. What is our responsibility?
Secondly, I'm still struggling with the Katrina stuff. If you're like the rest of the country you've forgotten what that means and think I should get over it. But I continue to hear awful things from my friends down there, and none of the Presidential candidates are really talking about it. I wonder in all of Bush's talks about terrorism how he can't see that the gross ignorance and blatant racism in this situation is also some type of terrorism. Obviously I'm angry. And all this has been compounded by discussions on evil and providence in class these past two weeks. I'm not sure how Katrina fits into those topics.
Thirdly, I'm getting very excited for some time off and a summer in a city. I will have most of May off and then I'll begin my summer internship in Philadelphia. I know being back in a city, even if only for a few months will be a good change of pace. I really miss being anonymous, being able to walk around without bumping into a million people I know.
Speaking of summer, I'm taking suggestions for a summer reading list. Any ideas?
I'm very concerned about the cycles of Imperialism and its relation to religion. For instance, we read an article for class about the Spanish conquest of Latin and South America in the 16th century. Although they basically were committing genocide, the Spanish felt they were doing it for God. Sparing you from multiple other examples of this throughout history, I'll jump to the Iraq War. There is so much Christian language that goes along with the war that makes me very uncomfortable since it is ultimately also a war about gold, or oil in this case. I find it very important that the church speak the truth in these instances and yet I don't see it doing much now. What is our responsibility?
Secondly, I'm still struggling with the Katrina stuff. If you're like the rest of the country you've forgotten what that means and think I should get over it. But I continue to hear awful things from my friends down there, and none of the Presidential candidates are really talking about it. I wonder in all of Bush's talks about terrorism how he can't see that the gross ignorance and blatant racism in this situation is also some type of terrorism. Obviously I'm angry. And all this has been compounded by discussions on evil and providence in class these past two weeks. I'm not sure how Katrina fits into those topics.
Thirdly, I'm getting very excited for some time off and a summer in a city. I will have most of May off and then I'll begin my summer internship in Philadelphia. I know being back in a city, even if only for a few months will be a good change of pace. I really miss being anonymous, being able to walk around without bumping into a million people I know.
Speaking of summer, I'm taking suggestions for a summer reading list. Any ideas?
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