As I watch the countdown for the Iowa caucus and wonder whether this political season will bring us a female presidential candidate, I realize yet again that we are dealing with a systematic sexism in our country that continues to put up an undo number of white males as leaders while the women of country deal with catcalls. The discussion about the systematic sexism that exists in our country, in our classrooms, and in our churches often come to observations like this:
All women have these moments. All of us. And yet the world acts as if it’s still our problem to fix.
Yes, every woman deals with those moments where they feel like they are reduced to their appearance, and somehow this is an accepted reality. We hear stats like SC being number 1 in deadly violence against women or that women don’t receive the promotions or pay that their male counterparts do and we aren’t phased. We aren’t bothered. We aren’t impacted at all.
It is what it is.
Another white male gets elected, accepts a call to senior pastor, and accepts department head and we aren’t shocked. We aren’t concerned. We aren’t motivated to action.
It is what it is.
It is what it always has been.
Really? Is this the best we can do? Is there really no hope of change?
Let us hope there is something, anything that makes us rethink this systematic sexism that is poisoning our society, our churches, and our schools.
Lord, in your mercy, hear this prayer.