By Lauren Suval
This is America. Women can walk through every door of opportunity.” Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s words echoed throughout the monstrous applause at the Republican National Convention, as she pressed on with her speech.
Gender flexibility has certainly been an ongoing theme in the 21st century. Personality theory used to explain the differences behind men and women, as the dimensions of aggression and power were more so associated with men, while nurturing and intimacy emphasized femininity. In today’s world, however, the distinct roles of men and women are now becoming interchangeable.
If times are changing, then may I ask why the media didn’t get the memo? As soon as Palin was named as Sen. John Mccain’s running mate, she has been degraded and patronized. Are women still expected to resort to their outdated roles in society?
How dare the media actually question her credibility to uphold a prestigious position in the most powerful office of the country because they don’t quite understand how she can do that and be a mother at the same time. I don’t recall the media questioning Mitt Romney’s ability to get the job done, when he himself had a family of five children. It’s appalling that in 2008 our progress for women’s equality is taking a step backwards.
Furthermore, the media has attacked Palin on her “lack” of a justified political background (which I find hypocritical since Sen. Barack Obama doesn’t exactly have an impressive resume). At the Republican National Convention, Palin addressed her opponents and the critical broadcasters/commentators, who have been breathing down her neck with insults as soon as she was declared the Republican nominee for vice president.
As mayor of her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, and now governor for nearly two years, Palin spoke of how she has changed the way her state was run by putting the government back on the side of the people. The ethics reform she wished to accomplish is now a law. She vetoed wasteful spending as the state budget came under control with a surplus.
Palin is behind drilling for energy independence (the $40 million natural gas pipeline will pave the way to do just that) and away from those foreign powers that do not have our best interests at heart. She’s passionate about moving forward with utilizing various energy resources, and laying down more pipelines. That way, if Iran decided to cut off a fifth of the world’s energy supplies, we could hold our own.
Twenty years ago, we never would have imagined having a powerful woman running for vice president of the United States of America. Women were looked at as being too emotional and ready to cry at the drop of a hat if a crisis were ever to occur. While Palin couldn’t be a better example of gender flexibility, it has been proven that it’s too much for the media to grasp. They better come to terms with it, because women might have had the power all along. It is now finally making headway in society.
Lauren Suval is a sophomore print journalism student. You may e-mail her at [email protected].