International Women's Year, 1975

[bunsen_h]

This is me, at age 10 or 11, being a jerk.

Creative, but a jerk.

I think the original "WHY N♀T!" buttons were distributed in my school. I don't know how much context we were given. I think that at that age I would have understood the concept of fairness, and feminism in the sense of treating everybody equally regardless of sex... but that would have come out as "why a year to treat women specially, but not men?" If I'd understood that the year was intended to promote a fairness that we didn't have yet, I might not have done these button adaptations. I don't know. It's the kind of satirical adaptation that led me to filking later. The urge to show off how clever I am has overridden good taste a few times too many in my life.

I'm somewhat better now.

I keep the buttons as a reminder of... something. Good to know where I've come from, I guess, and to recognize the distance.
 

Comments

[popelaksmi.livejournal.com]

You are more than just "somewhat" better, Bunsen. You're mighty fine. ;)

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

1975...you would still have been at a certain school on Centrepark, yes? I remember the buttons, and I remember a certain editorial cartoon in which female political character was wearing one, while male political character, (I don't remember the names of either from that time), was sporting one that said 'Because'. But I don't remember them being handed out at school.

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

In the vicinity of Centrepark, yes. The actual driveway connected to Innes Road.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

OK...that makes sense. You were two years ahead of me, not one, as I thought.

[batyatoon]

My problem with those buttons is that "WHY NOT" is a question, and ought to be punctuated as such.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

Back then, I think that I and my feminist friends repurposed the buttons into a call for abortion rights or equal pay for equal work or something similar. At the time, the "Why Not" slogan was generally considered a quite silly slogan; it was probably invented by a committee.

You are not that kid anymore, Bunsen ... do not worry.

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

"A silly slogan" -- a good point. Even with the female symbol, the phrase doesn't evoke anything relevant to the intended message. It's a non-controversial slogan, one which wouldn't elicit a strong response from non- or anti-feminists... but why bother saying nothing?

[utsi.livejournal.com]

i think only being 10 or 11 is a factor too -
be gentle on your younger self. i can't think of many sensitive & aware (socially or otherwise) kids that age.
*hugs* thinking of you. need more time & energy in a day :P

[mentisiterinvit.livejournal.com]

would it be wrong of me to say 'you've come a long way baby'?

i.