Wholistic Feminism

From an email I just wrote:

“Feminists often cite Eliza R Snow, but if you ask me, they take her out of context. Frankly, she’s the real feminist. It’s a gripe that’s been kicking around in the back of my mind. It’s as if the feminists today don’t trust in the absolute of their own equality, to the point that anything that smacks of a taste of a shadow of a reflection of female oppression is a threat, a thing to be feared. This includes, unfortunately, ideas like the fact that men have stewardship of the priesthood and women have stewardship of the home. Oppression is not inherent in such a difference. ERS certainly saw none. As a woman married to two prophets (sealed to JS and then married for time to BY), she was a pillar of steadfast faith and sustaining of the priesthood–she is undoubtedly furious at the things today’s LDS feminists do in her name. She embraced being a woman in the gospel, with no call to change the gospel to suit what she thought was fair in a worldly construct. She saw the strength in the woman’s part, and she utilized it beautifully writing amazing poetry, creating publications and organizations to uplift amd edify the sisters. That is real feminism–not the compartmentalizing, homogenizing nonsense that goes by the name which in the end does little more than divorce sisters from their own true power in the name of some wordly construct called ‘fair.’ Is it un-fair that I am only 5’4″ when my mother is 5’10″? Of course not; I am petite, and have always loved my diminutive stature. Is it un-fair that some like myself are verbally inclined while others are gifted with more physical thinking? No, I make the most of my words, and they build great art. We make the most of our individual gifts. Different is not inequal, end of story. Eliza knew that and lived it. She took her difference and made great great things with it. She was heralded as a prophetess for it.”

This idea has been bothering me lately. (more…)

Letting it out

Everyone’s off nesting
The birdfeeder is abandoned.
Nevermore will I sit on eggs.
I have my children,
and they are enough.

I marvel at myself
for such a decision.
Am I really so willing to gamble
with my heart
but not my body?

Is this a poem or an essay?
I honestly could not tell you.
My life is like that, y’know. (more…)