“EVERYBODY works but MOTHER”

    

I wanted to relate my blog this week to women in politics, and happened to stumble upon this meme. I think that this meme has a lot to it, both good and bad from the feminist point of view. I think I will start with what my initial reaction was to this photo. Originally, I did not even read the blue sign that is in the background, I was focused on the man washing the clothes. It is evident that although this meme was posted in 2012, that they are referring the the age of the suffrage movement.

The man in the meme is wearing a floor length apron, to me this symbolizes a lot. For starters, the apron is something that women were known to have on while in the kitchen. The fact that this apron is so long offends me, because at this time, women were to be covered up even to the extent of in the kitchen. The male’s face also has soft and blushed lips, making him appear more feminine as well.

The fact that this gentleman is washing the clothes in this photo is such a derogatory stereotype that women have been fighting against for generations. This crude assumption that women are to stay home and tend to the house and the children (and pets), has been a dark cloud hanging over us for too long I should say. I aspire to be a woman who has both a family and a well developed job, hence the education I am working on right now.

I think something that makes me the most angry in this photo in the blue sign hanging in the background. Stating, “EVERYBODY works but MOTHER: she’s a SUFFRAGETTE” This sign has many things wrong with it. For starters, it is indicating that the fighting and efforts of a woman is not seen as work. The time and pain that these women had put into the movement was monumental, and this sign does nothing but mock all of that. Also, look at the placement of the capitalization on the sign.  It is emphasizing that ANY other type of work is acceptable except to be a “suffragette”.

The thing that confuses me about this photo is the contrast between the blue sign and the text at the bottom of the meme. Is the man in the photo supposed to be a husband or a son? In reference to the text at the bottom of the picture, I think it gives feminist the wrong reputation. I think this statement of not allowing the husband to vote is portraying ALL feminists as radical ones, and that is not the case.

This meme has so much insulting aspects to it, aspects that you would think would only have lasted during this movement period, but still is around today I feel. I am glad to share this photo because I think the publishing of it being so recent, addresses the issue of inequality for women still so strongly existing, AND THAT IS NOT OKAY!

P.S! My A Little F’D UP: Why Feminism is Not a Dirty Word book just arrived and I am very excited to begin reading it!