America has a potent strain of feminism with a history of combating female objectification and subjugation. From womens workers movements of the early 1900s to Emma Goldmans proud anarchism to Wendy Daviss incredible, courageous filibuster in the ultra-conservative Texas legislature just last week, American women are increasingly discontented to stand idly by. And its a good thing, too, because theyve still got a ways to go: one look at a supermarkets magazine rack tells you all you need to know about how the culture as a whole still views women. On cover after cover, talented women appear sprawled out half-naked or barely contained by their underwear. A few moments reflection reveals the painful reality that no matter how talented or intelligent a woman is, she will be judged first and foremost for her appearance. Despite that, American women enjoy a great deal more freedom over their own choices than in many countries of the world. And it's a good thing, too. Study after study suggests the world would be a better place if women were in charge. Yet ours remains a mans world, dominated by large, crude, aggressive, arrogant savages. American women have overcome a great deal to capture positions of authority and contribute to the nation on a political level. Their freedoms come under direct threat all too often in a conservative, male-dominated society, but bolstered by the proud heritage of rebellious women in the past the American female is shaping this nation into a better and more responsible place all the time.
Kyle Schmidlin is a writer and musician living in Austin, TX. He manages the news blog at thirdrailnews.wordpress.com. Follow him at facebook.com/kyleschmidlin or twitter.com/kyleschmidlin1.
