Jenny Morgan, We Are All Setting Suns, 2010
There is a millstone women wear that's been forged by a history of violation. When I sit in the kitchen and read about the boundaries of women's bodies being smothered and snuffed out (rape, disfigurement, mutilation, and abortion) I notice the cushions of flesh around my hips and thighs begin to loosen and slack until they flap against my chair. I feel my torso soften and melt like the day old butter that's been sitting on the counter for too long. I see my womb collapse into a sopping red dish rag that drips bloodied into the cracked, gray tile below. Eventually my transformation is complete--my body dissolves into its billions of particles, floating through the kitchen like clouds of spilled flour. It seems that to be weightless in the air and formless in the ground is safer than walking beleaguered atop the earth. And so we come to the greatest sin of mankind:
To erase the boundaries of a woman's body until she is nothing more than the cloud of flour used to bake your bread.
8 comments:
Wow. That is really all I can say.
K, I didn't know how to take this when I first read it. I had to read it a few times actually - until I was able to form a fair opinion. I wasn't sure I wanted to comment but your writing is always so profound, and this blog really hit me hard: I really feel compelled to respond.
I have a few friends who are involved with human rights. One of my closest friends worked in Sierra Leone for a year where she dealt with such extreme violations of women's boundaries (FGM in particular). Having had the opportunity to visit the country last year, I was sure I would be incensed by the expolitation women face in such war torn countries. Indeed I was.
Nevertheless, while there I saw the suffering that was suffered by MEN, women and children. Rape, disfigurement, and mutilation transcend gender lines, and this is where we disagree (despite my feminist views). The greatest sin of mankind (in my mind) is not to erase the boundaries of a woman's body, rather to erase the boundaries of mankind. But then again, as "human rights" is a Western concept, who are we to define what those boundaries are?
I really enjoy your thought-provoking posts...perhaps more than your beautiful "arty" posts. You inspire. Always.
i was going to comment as sandra did.
but now all i can say is double-wow in response to ruth too.
wow. wow.
Ruth--I agree. We humans have an amazing capacity for destroying ourselves. However, I would argue that women have been violated in ways that men traditionally have not...especially when we consider physical, spiritual, and emotional violations. For example, women are grossly objectified in the media. You see it a bit more with men now, but that kind of visual violence is usually reserved for women and girls. Violence against women (and again, I'm not just referring to physical violence) is institutionalized for women far more often than it is men. It becomes normalized and internalized. I would strongly argue against any suggestion to the contrary. I would love to have this conversation with you in person, brilliant woman.
Women ARE violated much more than men: across all areas of life (media, workplace, family roles, societal roles...we could go on and on). And you're so right: the subjugation of women has become institutionalised for women in most countries (I say most because there are several countries in Asia and Africa where women have tradtionally high social standing, such as Ghana's Ashanti tribe). Therefore, I don't know if we can generalise women's experiences; history throws up many examples of societies where gender roles have been (and are) reversed.
I think unfortunately, the damaging aspect of human nature takes advantage of those in weak positions. As women tend to rely on men as the bread winners tradtionally, we are often (sadly) perceived as being disadvantaged (but this isn't always the case). The same can be said for those in lower classes/castes, like the "untouchables" in India.
What I'm trying to say is this: women are a victim of circumstance. The suffering experienced by women is a disgrace, but isn't exclusive to women. But alas, we cannot change the nature of being a woman until we change the nature of being human.
You know what I miss? I miss your discussions with Heather (that I use to listen in on). The passion and intelligence that you both have blows me away.
Just want to add: I am a super-feminist, and I agree with all your arguements re. the pressures we face as women.
Germaine Greer has been my hero since secondary school, and I thoroughly recommend her book: The Female Eunuch. Although I read it when I was 16/17 I seem to remember being very influenced by it. That is all.x
Ruth-I think you're absolutely brilliant, and I love how your brain works. YOu always give me something to consider. Thank you for sharing your insights--we all benefit.
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