Choosing to bring a child into this world was a terrifying prospect for me. When I found out that child would be female, I started crying. Why? Because I know how hard it is to be a female and a minority. If my child was born male, he would still be a minority, but he would grow up with the privileges that come with being male and that would be one less thing for a mother to worry about.
Yes, I believe in equality. Yes, I believe we are headed there. No, I do not think we are there.
I am blessed to have been born in this country and I am grateful for all the opportunities it has afforded me and for all the rights and privileges I can take for granted. But, I am painfully aware that we do not all receive “equal justice.” I don’t think equality will ever be achieved until we are all “equally” represented.
I was exposed to the melting-pot theory in elementary school, but it never felt right. The salad bowl theory is much more to my liking. I think instead of trying to become a homogeneous society, we should embrace our differences, celebrate them even.
Diversity is a good thing. How could it be anything but good? How can it hurt? I live in a very culturally diverse city that is only 7×7 miles and it’s wonderful because people of different cultures, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds have to co-mingle and we’re better for it.
Well, my daughter was born into this imperfect world and I’m not feeling so scared anymore. Some wonderful things have happened that make me feel so incredibly hopeful for the future, for her future: a female candidate was a viable option for the presidency; the first African-American President was elected; and today Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina to be nominated to the Supreme Court. In the words of Bob Dylan, “the times they are a changing.”
I’m thrilled I had a daughter because my husband and I truly believe that females are awesome. If you want to change the world, empower women!
My friend Maureen reminded me of the quote, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
I believe it is a West African adage.
One of my favorite quotes:If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.
I love that quote. Do you know who said it? When we picked our daughters’ names, our “test” for each option was whether it would sound appropriate after the title “Supreme Court Justice.” Hooray for all the girls, today!