Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Surprising Statement of Purpose

I used to think that NOW (the National Organization for Women) was a flaming-liberal, anti-male establishment. Then I read this:

"We REJECT the current assumptions
that a man must carry the sole burden of supporting himself, his wife, and family,
and that a woman is automatically entitled to lifelong support by a man upon her marriage,
or that marriage, home and family are primarily woman's world and responsibility -
hers, to dominate - his to support."

"We are similarly opposed to all policies and practices --
in church, state, college, factory, or office --
which, in the guise of protectiveness,
not only deny opportunities
but also foster in women
self-denigration,
dependence,
and evasion of responsibility,
undermine their confidence in their own abilities
and foster contempt for women."

Excerpt from National Organization for Women
Statement of Purpose (1966)

If this is flaming-liberal, anti-male rhetoric, then I'm a flaming-liberal, anti-male feminist.

What do you think?