me heart women's studies.

I talked to Phoebe about chivalry today, and why she doesn't think it's dead, and why I wish it would be. It bugs me that so many girls get annoyed if the guy doesn't run around the car to open the door for them. I feel so much more comfortable with my relationship because we open doors for EACH OTHER. And I pay for dinner sometimes. I don't want to be treated like I can't get out of a car by myself. I believe in mutual courtesy. Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean you get to act like I'm a helpless flower.

Also, I explained to her why I don't use the word "hysterical." The Greek root hystera means "of or pertaining to the womb/uterus," as in the English word hysterectomy. Therefore, hysterical, whether used to indicate something being quite funny or a state of emotional panic, is really just a way of saying that one is acting like a woman by losing control and being over-emotional. Oh, language.

I just read this essay like five minutes ago called, "The Politics of Housework." It's wonderful. It was written in 1970 by a woman named Pat Mainardi. She discusses why men absolutely refuse to do housework and their rationalizations:

"So ensued a dialogue that's been going on for several years. Here are some of the high points:

'I don't mind sharing the housework but I don't do it very well. We should each do the things we're best at.'
Meaning: Unfortunately I'm no good at things like washing dishes or cooking. What I do best is a little light carpentry, changing light bulbs, moving furniture. (How often do you move furniture?)
Also meaning: Historically the lower classes (Blacks and women) have had hundreds of years doing menial jobs. It would be a waste of manpower to train someone else to do them now.
Also meaning: I don't like the dull stupid boring jobs, so you should do them.
... 'I hate it more than you. You don't mind it so much.'
Meaning: Housework is shit work. It's the worst crap I've ever done. It's degrading and humiliating for someone of my intelligence to do it. But for someone of your intelligence...'
... 'Women's Liberation isn't really a political movement.'
Meaning: The Revolution is coming too close to home.
Also meaning: I am only interested in how I am oppressed, not how I oppress others. Therefore the war, the draft, and the university are political. Women's Liberation is not.'"

 Hilarious. And absolutely brilliant. And true.