The Kentucky Standard >> Sunday, February 5, 2012 • www.kystandard.com A6 Opinion EDITORIAL LAST PAPER’S POLL In honor of Black History Month, we are dedicating our edi- Ye s : 29 percent torial space on Sundays in February to honor an African-Amer- Do you volunteer your time at any ican who made a difference in our society. Join us as we recog- No: 71 percent nize hopes and dreams that everyone should possess, regardless local non-profit organization? of race. Q: >> Vote in this paper’s poll at www.kystandard.com. I Shirley Chisholm was born in Brook- lyn, N.Y., in 1924. A political pioneer, she was the first black woman to be elected to Congress in 1969 where she served seven terms. She was also the first African- American woman to make a bid for the U.S. Presidency in 1972. She fought for minority education opportunities, woman’s rights and social justice. She died in 2005. Below is her speech on equal rights for women delivered May 21, 1969, before the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. When a young woman graduates from college and starts looking for a job, she is likely to have a frustrating and even demeaning experience ahead of her. If she walks into an office for an interview, the first question she will be asked is, “Do you type?” There is a calculated system of prejudice that lies unspoken behind that question. Why is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administra- tors, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress. The unspoken assumption is that women are different. They do not have executive ability, orderly minds, stabili- ty, leadership skills, and they are too emotional. It has been observed before, that society for a long time, discriminated against another minority, the blacks, on the same basis — that they were different and inferior. OUR VIEWS The happy little homemaker and the contented “old dark- ey” on the plantation were both produced by prejudice. As a black person, I am no stranger to race prejudice. But the truth is that in the political world I have been far will live forever oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black. As a kid growing up in formed. Some of the more Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable Bardstown, I always looked popular regulars you should although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is forward to Saturdays with no know included doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to school or homework, just and , who later admit that it exists. Prejudice against women is still morning cartoons. But one created the group , acceptable. There is very little understanding yet of the of the most memorable , Carmen immorality involved in double pay scales and the classifi- shows for me was Soul Train Electra, , M.C. cation of most of the better jobs as “for men only.” at 11 a.m. every Saturday. Hammer, , More than half of the population of the is My morning chores were CARRIE Fred “Rerun” Berry, and female. But women occupy only 2 percent of the mana- done in record time and the PRIDE NFL legend . gerial positions. They have not even reached the level of TV was cranked up to hear Soul Train will continue to tokenism yet. No women sit on the AFL-CIO council or the latest songs and see all >> COMMUNITY NEWS hold the honor of the Supreme Court. There have been only two women who the new dance moves and COORDINATOR longest, continuously have held Cabinet rank, and at present there are none. fashion trends from a cast of [email protected] running first-run syndicated Only two women now hold ambassadorial rank in the regulars. Board,” in which two program in television history diplomatic corps. In Congress, we are down to one Sena- was the dancers are given 60 seconds until at least 2016, if and programs. to unscramble a set of letters tor and 10 Representatives. host of this American mu- The show began with an when its nearest competitor, Considering that there are about 3 1/2 million more sical variety show that aired to form the name of that , com- animated train chugging show’s performer or a no- women in the United States than men, this situation is from October 1971 to March through space and coming to pletes its 35th season. (If ET outrageous. 2006. The show featured per- table person in does not complete a 35th a stop right in your living African-American history. It is true that part of the problem has been that women formances by R&B, soul and room with Cornelius wel- season, Wheel of Fortune There was also the have not been aggressive in demanding their rights. This artists, although coming you to the “hippest would pass in 2018 if it con- popular “Soul Train Line,” in was also true of the black population for many years. , jazz, and gospel trip in America.” He would tinues to air.) They submitted to oppression and even cooperated with artists have also appeared. announce special guests for which all the dancers form Cornelius and Soul Train it. Women have done the same thing. But now there is an Cornelius died this week the hour along with the first two lines with a space in the will live on in our memories awareness of this situation particularly among the at age 75, but the infamous song of the day while middle for dancers to strut forever and in tribute to the younger segment of the population. show and entertainer will dancers dominated the dance down and dance in consec- late host I am donning my As in the field of equal rights for blacks, Spanish- live on forever. Cornelius, as floor. utive order. best photo from the ’70s just Americans, the Indians, and other groups, laws will not writer, producer and host of Each guest usually per- In later years, men and for you, as well as his in- change such deep-seated problems overnight But they Soul Train, offered a wide formed twice on each women had their own indi- famous closing catchphrase: can be used to provide protection for those who are most exposure to black musicians program; after their first vidual line-ups. Sometimes, The next time we meet you abused, and to begin the process of evolutionary change such as , number, they were joined by new dance styles or moves can your last money, it’s by compelling the insensitive majority to reexamine it's and Michael the program host onstage for were featured or introduced all gonna be a stone gas, unconscious attitudes. Jackson, as well as created a brief interview. by particular dancers. In ad- honey! It is for this reason that I wish to introduce today a pro- opportunities for talented One key element in the dition, there was an in-studio And as always in parting, posal that has been before every Congress for the last 40 dancers who would foretell structure of the program was group who danced along to I wish you love, peace and years and that sooner or later must become part of the subsequent television dance the “Soul Train Scramble the music as it was per- soul! basic law of the land — the Equal Rights Amendment. Let me note and try to refute two of the commonest arguments that are offered against this amendment. One is that women are already protected under the law and do not need legislation. Existing laws are not adequate to Face(book) the future secure equal rights for women. Sufficient proof of this is the concentration of women in lower paying, menial, I know I have done a rant The most brilliant part of friends “like” it, all of their unrewarding jobs, and their incredible scarcity in the on social media before. Is it advertising mechanics on 400 “friends” will know they upper level jobs. If women are already equal, why is it sliced bread, evil or a waste Facebook comes from users. like it and drive more traffic such an event whenever one happens to be elected to of time, etc.? Facebook just Similar to Google, when you to your material. Congress? recently announced it was search for content, ads on the The resounding phi- It is obvious that discrimination exists. Women do not going public with the Secu- sidebar reflect your content. losophy here is connections. have the opportunities that men do. And women that do rities and Exchange When I update my profile in Everyone from the entre- not conform to the system, who try to break with the Commission. Soon, all of us the activities section stating I preneur to the salesman can invest in a service that enjoy underwater crocheting accepted patterns, are stigmatized as odd and unfemi- BRAD understands the advantage of nine. The fact is that a woman who aspires to be chair- brings us trivial updates, em- (just for humor sake), ads networking. The idea of net- man of the board, or a Member of the House, does so for barrassing uploaded pictures BOWMAN that pertain to either subject working in regards to exactly the same reasons as any man. Basically, these are and endless requests for REPORTER appear in the sidebar. If any commerce isn’t new. that she thinks she can do the job and she wants to try. games such as Farmville. >> [email protected] of my friends like those busi- Facebook helps me keep in Here are some quick eco- nesses, that will also be A second argument often heard against the Equal contact with some real-life nomic facts: 85 percent of its displayed on my page rail. friends in one cyber “place.” Rights Amendment is that is would eliminate legislation annual revenue from adver- That is the brilliance of firm Deloitte conducted the Someone put it best to me, that many States and the Federal Government have enact- tising came at a humble $3.7 Facebook advertising. They analysis throughout 27 coun- “It isn’t a place for culti- ed giving special protection to women and that it would billion. In 2011, Facebook tries in the European Union. understand we are more vating new relationships, but throw the marriage and divorce laws into chaos. reported an income of $1 Overall Facebook con- likely to do business with a As for the marriage laws, they are due for a sweeping billion. A conducted survey tributes €15.3 billion to the company referred to us by a maintaining old ones.” reform, and an excellent beginning would be to wipe the measuring Facebook’s eco- European economy. Try to “friend.” The future value of existing ones off the books. Regarding special protection nomic impact in Europe took imagine 1 billion euros equal Online advertising hasn’t Facebook can be as un- for working women, I cannot understand why it should into account the thousands of $1.3145 billion. The had a huge impact anywhere certain as the dot com boom be needed. Women need no protection that men do not people employed just to company increased business else — especially for the that became a flavor of the need. What we need are laws to protect working people, make Facebook apps (little participation through their media. Perhaps Facebook week in the history of com- to guarantee them fair pay, safe working conditions, pro- programs, games users run mode of advertising, user re- and Google could give us a merce. But, we must be open tection against sickness and layoffs, and provision for on the site). Also take into ferrals and brand value to an model from which to learn. to the future models of our dignified, comfortable retirement. account smartphone manu- estimated worth of Evidently, both are making relations, financial or Men and women need these things equally. That one facturers that sell products €7.3billion. The applications money from it and all of us friendly. Facebook’s adver- sex needs protection more than the other is a male for those of us who feel economy itself is worth can. This is a step up from tising model’s effectiveness supremacist myth as ridiculous and unworthy of respect compelled to connect to the €1.9billion. It also aids in the garage sales or classified ads plays off of our nature. Can’t as the white supremacist myths that society is trying to site — even at traffic lights. support of 232,000 jobs that can impact all 400 of we learn something from cure itself of at this time. The international research throughout Europe. your “friends” and if your that, too?

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