aculturation of my fender. ps I don't hate men

[abilouise]

Last night had a really interesting conversation during which I FLIPPED OUT and listed off all of the things that I hate about the cultural relics of femininity that make me feel ill, angry, ooshy or just generally uncomfy (when applied to me. other people are free to do what they want). certain shades of pink, socks with lace around the ankles, pointy shoes, curls in my hair, eyelet lace, the words "vagina" and "pussy", deodorants marketed at teenage girls, the bras they sell at K-mart and Target, etc., baby powder, wigs, pantyhose, baby dolls, that whole damn aisle of the drugstore (you know, the woman one that I never have to go to again -- ask me why), most purses, most makeup, non-cotton underwear, capri pants, skirts with flapping open side-seams, strapless bras, corsets, any frill on any garment, ever, maternity clothes (no I've never worn any), slips, hairdos, giant and obnoxious wallets that are built to hold a checkbook and change and stuff, baby shower culture, bridal headpieces (only one person has ever seen me in one and there is no photographic evidence), moisturizer, cold cream, women's garden gloves, my grandmother's sweaters and aprons, the way that most of the men I know pronounce the word "nipple" (no I can't explain it)
After this conversation, I had to go read The Complete Hothead Paisan cover to cover before I could fall asleep. She's my girl. And no, I don't want to perform violent acts on men.
There is also the list of things I am now comfortable with but wasn't for a long time, but that is less interesting.
I want to throw a party and invite all the women I know and everyone gets an award for making it through another year of being female. If anyone wants to help me organize such a thing, let me know because I'm currently just treating it as an idea.

Comments

[boojum.livejournal.com]

I think I'd be less wrought-up over gender if there were fewer nasty implementations of it in the world and if people spent less time shoving it down my throat, which is a roundabout way of saying that I pretty much agree with you. My current focus-hates are the Oregon women's accent (only a few women have it, but it's this bizarre blend of breathy and perky, and one of the women who has it lives across the street from me) and the notion that the power of pink makes misogyny irrelevant (and not worth worrying about or trying to fix) for everyone in the vicinity.