The Feminist Movement.

Tonight I read a short illustrated poem named "There was a young woman who swallowed a lie.." by Meridith Tax. This poem is tied to the feminists movement which is a movement aimed at the equal rights for woman. This poem to me is a captivating piece for its ability to really hit hard on the subject of the objectification of woman. Meridith shows that young woman are taught the lie that they need to grow up to be a homemaker, who is only bound to the confides of a kitchen and raising a family. She speaks about how in society only the pretty stupid woman are the objects that are sought out by men. She brings up the topic of forced contraception and intercourse that is pushed on many woman. What hits hard about this poem is that Meridith is describing herself. She is the young woman who swallowed that lie and she used her life experience as the basis to her poem.

Meridith's poem is just as relevant today as it was during the period she wrote it. A lot of young woman today have very low self esteems. They see the skinny, pretty, super models on television and believe that is the way they need to look. They read about the fashion trends in seventeen magazine and need to wear that clothing to keep themselves trendy. They cover themselves in makeup, dye their hair a million colors, and tan themselves because they feel uncomfortable not looking like there best friends. This could be added to "the lie" Meridith's poem is about.

Although the feminist movement is a good thing for woman, I feel like it marks men as something we are not. Not all men are pigs, not all men want the stupid dumb chick, not all men want the super model, not all men want there wives to work in the kitchen, and not all men believe that woman are something less. A good amount of men would rather be with a woman who has there lives together, who can support themselves, and who can voice themselves just as well as any man could. A woman who knows who they are and who can be heard makes a better impression than a woman who is helpless and only reliable on there spouse. Woman have the choice in todays modern society to be a doctor, a police officer, a manager of a large corporation, and the ability to change the world. I think it should be that way, and I'm a man so feminist can keep that in mind also.