Is the personal still political?

[debm]

In what ways is the personal political for you?

[laralou]

Like how? Can you give an example?

[pie]

Do you mean like my choice regarding wearing a bra, or makeup or stilletto heels? Whether to shop at the supermarket or the local veggie stand? Whether to watch TV or not? Really, anything you do in life is completely a political choice. Every pebble thrown creates a ripple.

Is that what you meant?

[debm]

Any of these things I guess. I was interested in what you all thought. I feel that my choices are political to a degree. What things I choose and choose not to buy. The way I relate to my peers. Certainly the way I raise my DS. I just wondered how the rest of the community felt.

[pie]

Oh, I TOTALLY agree with you on that debm. Our daily lives make such an impact. Money is god in America in so many ways and where we choose to spend our money really determines our commitment to worship....

[lilzmama]

Thanks for bringing this up. I've noticed among our activist male friends (a few) recently that their politics don't seem to come into play in their personal lives vis a vis their relationships with partners. I think they would all consider themselves "feminists" yet they tend to act more like teenage boys in their relationships. One friend who went through a messy break up with another friend of ours characterized his new girlfriend as more of a feminist than the old because she knew how to "be one of the guys." How nuts is that!?

In our own lives it's a day by day balancing act and so hard to see every choice as a political choice. I feel like we're undoing the habits we developed long before we came to our current "consciousness." Sometimes money is a concern, so we buy from grocery retailers when we have to. Now that we have a little one, though, I feel much more impelled to shop conscienciously.

[pie]

What a great point. I too know many 'free thinking revolutionaries' that never ever lend a hand around the house, and ask where dinner is, etc. That REALLY gets my panties in a wad. My dh is a registered Republican and he cooks and does laundry!! I just don't think you can be enlightened if you are still a sexist housemate.

[TripkeHughes]

I know this isn't what the thread is about but I wanted to add that as soon as I started to know my dh, I braged to a friend that he was a feminist and they looked at me with "deer in the headlights" look. Anyway, he is a feminist because he does believe in womans rights... as am I.

The term feminism has become such a negative word in American English. So sad to me.

I take money personally. Really it isn't the money but the attitude behind the money that drives me bonkers. Do you know what I mean? Here in America it is all about what we have that makes us what and who we are. Barf! Give me a break.

I am also bugged (please don't flame me for this) at my Christian sisters and brothers who profess to care about the poor/wounded/widowers, etc, but who have never donated time, $, prayers to anyone in need but themselves. Okay that might be a generalization but I think you know what I mean.

There are so many things I could talk about but I am not sure I am on the right page. Do any of you know what I am talking about? Do I understand the thread correctly?

[pie]

Seems to me you are talking about hypocrisy, and I would think there is room for that in this thread...

[pie]

Although in all fairness, Tripke, re Christians, there are plenty of liberals who work for questionable finance firms, and many feminists who do all the housework, and many members of the Green Party who shop at WalMart from time to time ( me!) so hypocrisy is a part of us all we each need to battle...