This is an exciting time to be a woman. All of us young women who are earning a college degree, nurturing the early years of a career, supporting a husband, rearing children, chartering new territory in a successful career that reflects the dynamism of who you are. It is indeed a marvelous, exciting moment in time to be a woman. From the post-baby boom generation to the hip hoppers, we are benefitting from the Civil Rights movement and gains made from the woman's movement of the 1970s. There are women with significant positions on President Obama's cabinet. The first lady is a beautiful intellgent woman whose charisma as a First Lady is unmatched in recent memory.
The Black middle class is growing, and women are contributing to that growth. Educated women are earning more money (although not quite matching the wages and salaries of men), earning more degrees, and are contributing to the fiscal stability of homelife. More women are purchasing homes, owning businesses, running for political offices, leading churches and universities, and are taking advantage of international opportunities.
Yet, yet, yet, it is perplexing to see the assault upon women today. Proposed national and state policies reflecting rape, invasive vaginal procedures, birth control, and our right to choose permeate the national dialogue today. Some of our music doesn't reflect the most positive scenarios of women. Some of the reality television shows depict the most bestial images of buffoonery imaginable, domestic and community abuse ravage women more today than ever before, more girls and women are kidnapped and trafficked as sex slaves, and are living in poverty without husbands.
We have to begin more critical and forthright dialogue about womanhood in America. As women involved in academia, we have a responsibility to crystallize these issues so that we can take action and be involved in problem-solving activity. A wonderful NSU collegiate, Angela Batts has agreed to serve as a blogger, and I welcome her to this blog. She is a BSW student at NSU with creative juices that are enviable. Welcome Angela to this blog, and welcome all women at Norfolk State University.
