JOURNAL WEEK 16
Part 1.
The issues faced for work in the future for me would be some sort of flexibility as I care for a teenager with a disability. My hours would have to be part-time and I would have to have time off for various appointments with Doctors. My best bet would be to. have a job I could do partly from home and partly from the work base
Part 2.
1. Briefly summarise why women were paid less than men.
Men where seen as the main provider for the family and women only needed to work if they had no male to support them. Therefore they were probably seen as desperate and would take any job at any wage. Yet they still had to support their family and still had the same responsibilities as the main provider.
2. What were the significant achievements by Unions regarding Equal Pay in the following years?
.1960
.1969
.1972
.1973
In 1960 equal pay for work of equal value was awarded, although specifically female work was not included and the issue of equal pay for women remained a source of hot debate throughout the 1960s
In 1969, the ACTU mounted a test case to get rid of the 25% difference that existed between pay rates for women and those for men. The court ruled that as of 1 October women would get at least 85% of the male wage; their pay would then go up in steps until 1 January 1972 when they would be rewarded with equal pay - 100% of the male wage.
This decision of the Arbitration Commission said that women who were performing the same work as men should get the same award rate of pay. This affected about 18% of women. It meant you could no longer have lower female rates for the same job
In 1972 the equal pay case was reopened. The argument presented by barrister Mary Gaudron was in line with the principles of the 1951 ILO Convention: equal pay for work of equal value.
On the 15 December 1972, the Arbitration Commission ruled that women performing predominantly women's work would get the same pay as men! In the textile , the lowest women's wages were $40 - $42 per week. After the decision and by early 1974 the lowest wage for women was $54 - that's a 35% increase!
The Arbitration Commission's decision automatically applied to women employed under federal awards but this only covered about 40 per cent of women in the workforce. This meant the beginning of an enormous campaign by unions to change the various state awards too. This was made particularly complicated because claims had to be formally heard by industrial commissions or wages boards on a state by state basis.
1973, the Commission set a minimum wage for all adults and then in 1974 it dropped the concept of 'family support' as part of the wage system.
Workers and unions are still striving for equality in actual rates of pay. This would cover inconsistencies such as over awards - when women are paid the award rate while their male colleagues receive a rate higher than the award.
3. Give three reasons why women still earn less than men.
· More women than men work part-time and therefore earn only a proportion of full-time earnings.
· Women are less likely to get paid over the award
· More men than women work because they work in areas where overtime is an option and women generally have more responsibilities in the home.
4. Which strategy to achieve equal pay do you think would be the most effective?
Join unions: female union members earn more money on average than females who don't belong to a union.
Make sure part-time workers get full pro-rata employment benefits.
.
Encourage men to share family responsibilities.
Make work more family friendly so more women and men with children can stay at work.
Ensure equal opportunity at work through a fair selection process and promotional procedures for senior jobs.
Seek equal pay for women getting lower over-award payments than men doing work of equal value
5 .Name the issue and write one fact that you discovered.
Tattoos, dreadlocks and body piercing
What’s fair fashion at work?
It could be fashion. It could be a loud statement of your individuality. It could be both. Fashion and work can collide when your boss isn’t happy with the way you look. But who’s right and what’s fair?
This is one of those tricky issues. Employers can set ‘reasonable dress standards’ but that doesn’t take away their responsibility to treat you fairly.
Check for discrimination
Employers are breaking the law if they discriminate on the basis of sex, race, disability or age. The equal opportunity laws also say employers should not discriminate because of sexual preference, religion, criminal record, political opinion or trade union activity.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
JOURNAL 14
WOMEN’S STUDIES JOURNAL – WEEK 14.
WOMEN’S ACTIVISM
Task 1.
What have women campaigned for/against?
From the video Apron Strings & Atom Bombs
THEN
- Price of gas
- Free speech
- Peace/withdraw from Vietnam
- Affirmation Action
- Education
- Class sizes, more school buildings, qualified teachers
- Equal pay
- War toys
- Conscription
- Cost of living
TODAY
- Paid maternity leave
- Violence against women
- Refugees
- Work AWA
- Environment
- Housing
- Health / Body image
- Ageism
What were / are some of the ways women make their voices heard?
From the video Apron Strings & Atom Bombs
Before today
- Aprons
- Marches
- Folk songs
- Petitions
- Door knocked
- Vigils
- Chained each other to buildings
- Leaflets
- Tram day 75%
- Made themselves seen at sporting events and train stations
- Walked in single file
- Met with politicians
Today
- Lobbing
- Boycotting
- Civil disobedience
- Non violent confrontation
- Media
- Protest music – Bob Dylan etc
- Voluntary simplicity
- Strike action
- Craftivism
What does the Union of Australian Women work for?
The Union of Australian Women is a national organisation formed to work for the status and well being of women in a peaceful and environmentally safe world. Their aim is to improve the lives of women through focussing on issues such as equity and social justice.
What are the current campaigns?
Currently they are campaigning for,
Elimination of violence against women
Abortion law reform and reproductive rights
Rights for asylum seekers
Affordable public housing and health
Definition of Ecofeminism
Ecofeminism is a social and political movement which unites environmentalism and feminism, which some currents linking deep ecology and feminism. Ecofeminists argue that a relationship exits between the oppression of women and the degradation of nature.
What sorts of issues would an ecofeminist campaign for or against?
Safe cosmetics
Safe cleaning products
Protecting Health
Mercury and Reproductive Justice
Protecting the Forest
Solar Power
CHRIS HICKS
14-11-2007.
WOMEN’S ACTIVISM
Task 1.
What have women campaigned for/against?
From the video Apron Strings & Atom Bombs
THEN
- Price of gas
- Free speech
- Peace/withdraw from Vietnam
- Affirmation Action
- Education
- Class sizes, more school buildings, qualified teachers
- Equal pay
- War toys
- Conscription
- Cost of living
TODAY
- Paid maternity leave
- Violence against women
- Refugees
- Work AWA
- Environment
- Housing
- Health / Body image
- Ageism
What were / are some of the ways women make their voices heard?
From the video Apron Strings & Atom Bombs
Before today
- Aprons
- Marches
- Folk songs
- Petitions
- Door knocked
- Vigils
- Chained each other to buildings
- Leaflets
- Tram day 75%
- Made themselves seen at sporting events and train stations
- Walked in single file
- Met with politicians
Today
- Lobbing
- Boycotting
- Civil disobedience
- Non violent confrontation
- Media
- Protest music – Bob Dylan etc
- Voluntary simplicity
- Strike action
- Craftivism
What does the Union of Australian Women work for?
The Union of Australian Women is a national organisation formed to work for the status and well being of women in a peaceful and environmentally safe world. Their aim is to improve the lives of women through focussing on issues such as equity and social justice.
What are the current campaigns?
Currently they are campaigning for,
Elimination of violence against women
Abortion law reform and reproductive rights
Rights for asylum seekers
Affordable public housing and health
Definition of Ecofeminism
Ecofeminism is a social and political movement which unites environmentalism and feminism, which some currents linking deep ecology and feminism. Ecofeminists argue that a relationship exits between the oppression of women and the degradation of nature.
What sorts of issues would an ecofeminist campaign for or against?
Safe cosmetics
Safe cleaning products
Protecting Health
Mercury and Reproductive Justice
Protecting the Forest
Solar Power
CHRIS HICKS
14-11-2007.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Journal Week 13
WOMEN’S STUDIES 1
Journal – Week 13.
FEMOCRACY
A Story of WEL
Beatrice Faust believed that up until this point women’s liberation had so far consisted of too much talk and not enough action. In 1972 The Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) was formed just before the Federal election. The women believed their was still big discrepancies between the status of men and those of women. They didn’t wait they took action and began to get the message out about The Women’s Liberation Movement by bringing it to the people.
It took Beatrice Faust to incite Australian women into action, by a political survey of all candidates in all jurisdictions in Australia. WEL’s first survey of political candidates revealed a big lack of knowledge or even interest in the many issues. Further surveys gained public notice and encouraged the establishment of branches in all capital cities. Since then, winning in government has often been associated to the women’s vote. Over the years, WEL has continued to provide well-researched reports to both sides of the political arena on a range of issues from economics and employment to health and human relationships. WEL policies have been based on the assumption of women’s right to choose and to control her own destiny; WEL’s approach has been to demand that right be entrenched into legislation and embedded in political, economic and social structures.
The WEL campaign in 1972 was based on the six demands formulated by women’s liberation; equal pay, equal employment opportunity, free contraceptive services, abortion on demand and free 24hr childcare. Action groups began work in these areas creating the basis for the well-researched submissions for which WEL was to become famous.
The 1972 Federal Election must go down in history as the first in which the average women is really interested. Much of this interest is due to WEL. The Whitlam government won office and came to power amid great hopes and a prevailing sentiment that this really was the birth of a new age of tolerance and increased recognition of the equality of women in Australia.
The period between 1972 and 1975 was one of rapid and major change in Australia, with the election of the Whitlam Government. Elizabeth Reid was appointed as the assistant to the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues in 1973.There was also the Women’s Affairs section introduced in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Government assisted financially to the United Nations International Women’s Year, 1975. This money went towards rape crisis and health centres. There were also a number of conferences looking at women’s issues. The Government also gave funding to support non-profit childcare centres. Eventually after much lobbying, women were awarded the male rate of pay, no matter what job they did, on 15th December 1972. The issue was raised for sexual harassment at work, the need for changeover stations for fathers to have access to children in the custody of separated wives. Many women were guttered when the Whitlam Government was dropped in 1975.and replaced by the Fraser Government, many women saw this as the end of the period of reform and development Australia had been set upon. Fortunately the few brief years had gained enough popular support that the trend was irreversible.
In the Fraser years, WEL had campaigned for and won the Office of the Status of Women, an office within the prime Minister’s Department which was charged with the task of developing policy which took notice of women’s meeds, which evaluated all policy and legislation in light of its impact upon women and which began to push for and develop pro-active strategies for redressing some of the long standing problems facing women. This was a great step forward because for the first time women were guaranteed some formal say in the development of policy and legislation.
WEL affirms article 10 of Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which states women should have the same access to education in all forms as men, and that such access should not be barred on the basis of stereotyped conceptions of the roles of men and women. WEL calls on governments to redress inequities and discrimination in education against women and girls.
WEL affirms the responsibility of government to provide free education from preschool through tertiary and post-secondary levels, funded from general revenue. In fulfilling this responsibility, governments must recognise that individuals’ access to free education depends on the provision of adequate income support and appropriate infrastructure.
WEL opposes funding arrangements that benefit private schools at the expense of the public school system.
WEL believes all schools which receive government funding, whether public or private, should abide by relevant legislation such as anti-discrimination legislation.
WEL recognises the value of the Adult and Community Education sector in providing women with knowledge, skills and competencies to return to learning and to employment.
WEL supports programs which stress equality between men and women and that all students should be given opportunities to study gender equality issues and develop a wide range of communication skills, through assertiveness training and anger management programs for example.
WEL supports mandatory gender equity programs for all students.
WEL believes that the political institutions and process of the three levels of government should be taught in primary and secondary schools as compulsory curriculum so students understand their voting rights before they leave school.
WEL supports the principles of lifelong learning and recognises the needs of women of all ages to be able to access education and retraining.
WEL believes that all students should be encouraged and supported to excel in the subjects in which they demonstrate aptitude.
WEL acknowledges and is concerned that women’s and girls’ traditional choice of education leads to career paths that are lower paid.
WEL is concerned that ‘traditional’ careers of women e.g. teaching, child-care are undervalued in Australian society. Careers advisers should be required to alert girls to the financial and social implications of their career choices.
WEL recognises the need to encourage girls and boys into non-traditional areas
My views on this situation are that if you want an education or to update your learning skills this choice should be available to all women and girls. Unfortunately some of the courses through TAFE are rather expensive so many women would have trouble affording the costs involved. It was suggested to me that maybe a programme like the Universities have eg HECS fees could be introduced. This supports education first, and an interest free loan on course fees, until employment is started. I’m sure this would attract a lot more students to expensive courses which were out of reach for them financially. Some courses studied by women such as Electricians or Technicians where mainly male dominated courses, but now many women are enrolled and enjoying the challenge.
Journal – Week 13.
FEMOCRACY
A Story of WEL
Beatrice Faust believed that up until this point women’s liberation had so far consisted of too much talk and not enough action. In 1972 The Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) was formed just before the Federal election. The women believed their was still big discrepancies between the status of men and those of women. They didn’t wait they took action and began to get the message out about The Women’s Liberation Movement by bringing it to the people.
It took Beatrice Faust to incite Australian women into action, by a political survey of all candidates in all jurisdictions in Australia. WEL’s first survey of political candidates revealed a big lack of knowledge or even interest in the many issues. Further surveys gained public notice and encouraged the establishment of branches in all capital cities. Since then, winning in government has often been associated to the women’s vote. Over the years, WEL has continued to provide well-researched reports to both sides of the political arena on a range of issues from economics and employment to health and human relationships. WEL policies have been based on the assumption of women’s right to choose and to control her own destiny; WEL’s approach has been to demand that right be entrenched into legislation and embedded in political, economic and social structures.
The WEL campaign in 1972 was based on the six demands formulated by women’s liberation; equal pay, equal employment opportunity, free contraceptive services, abortion on demand and free 24hr childcare. Action groups began work in these areas creating the basis for the well-researched submissions for which WEL was to become famous.
The 1972 Federal Election must go down in history as the first in which the average women is really interested. Much of this interest is due to WEL. The Whitlam government won office and came to power amid great hopes and a prevailing sentiment that this really was the birth of a new age of tolerance and increased recognition of the equality of women in Australia.
The period between 1972 and 1975 was one of rapid and major change in Australia, with the election of the Whitlam Government. Elizabeth Reid was appointed as the assistant to the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues in 1973.There was also the Women’s Affairs section introduced in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Government assisted financially to the United Nations International Women’s Year, 1975. This money went towards rape crisis and health centres. There were also a number of conferences looking at women’s issues. The Government also gave funding to support non-profit childcare centres. Eventually after much lobbying, women were awarded the male rate of pay, no matter what job they did, on 15th December 1972. The issue was raised for sexual harassment at work, the need for changeover stations for fathers to have access to children in the custody of separated wives. Many women were guttered when the Whitlam Government was dropped in 1975.and replaced by the Fraser Government, many women saw this as the end of the period of reform and development Australia had been set upon. Fortunately the few brief years had gained enough popular support that the trend was irreversible.
In the Fraser years, WEL had campaigned for and won the Office of the Status of Women, an office within the prime Minister’s Department which was charged with the task of developing policy which took notice of women’s meeds, which evaluated all policy and legislation in light of its impact upon women and which began to push for and develop pro-active strategies for redressing some of the long standing problems facing women. This was a great step forward because for the first time women were guaranteed some formal say in the development of policy and legislation.
WEL affirms article 10 of Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which states women should have the same access to education in all forms as men, and that such access should not be barred on the basis of stereotyped conceptions of the roles of men and women. WEL calls on governments to redress inequities and discrimination in education against women and girls.
WEL affirms the responsibility of government to provide free education from preschool through tertiary and post-secondary levels, funded from general revenue. In fulfilling this responsibility, governments must recognise that individuals’ access to free education depends on the provision of adequate income support and appropriate infrastructure.
WEL opposes funding arrangements that benefit private schools at the expense of the public school system.
WEL believes all schools which receive government funding, whether public or private, should abide by relevant legislation such as anti-discrimination legislation.
WEL recognises the value of the Adult and Community Education sector in providing women with knowledge, skills and competencies to return to learning and to employment.
WEL supports programs which stress equality between men and women and that all students should be given opportunities to study gender equality issues and develop a wide range of communication skills, through assertiveness training and anger management programs for example.
WEL supports mandatory gender equity programs for all students.
WEL believes that the political institutions and process of the three levels of government should be taught in primary and secondary schools as compulsory curriculum so students understand their voting rights before they leave school.
WEL supports the principles of lifelong learning and recognises the needs of women of all ages to be able to access education and retraining.
WEL believes that all students should be encouraged and supported to excel in the subjects in which they demonstrate aptitude.
WEL acknowledges and is concerned that women’s and girls’ traditional choice of education leads to career paths that are lower paid.
WEL is concerned that ‘traditional’ careers of women e.g. teaching, child-care are undervalued in Australian society. Careers advisers should be required to alert girls to the financial and social implications of their career choices.
WEL recognises the need to encourage girls and boys into non-traditional areas
My views on this situation are that if you want an education or to update your learning skills this choice should be available to all women and girls. Unfortunately some of the courses through TAFE are rather expensive so many women would have trouble affording the costs involved. It was suggested to me that maybe a programme like the Universities have eg HECS fees could be introduced. This supports education first, and an interest free loan on course fees, until employment is started. I’m sure this would attract a lot more students to expensive courses which were out of reach for them financially. Some courses studied by women such as Electricians or Technicians where mainly male dominated courses, but now many women are enrolled and enjoying the challenge.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
JOURNAL 11.
WOMEN’S STUDIES 1
JOURNAL-Week 11.
Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy was born on October 25th 1941 in Melbourne, Victoria and is known as an Australian pop singer and actress. Her Australian show business family is well-known performers of the vaudeville circuit. Helen’s mother was Stella Lamond and father writer-actor-comedian Max Reddy, and her older sister is actress-singer Toni Lamond who along with her son singer Tony Sheldon make up the the very talented family
.
Helen, this year, would have just turned 66 years old; she started her career performing on stage with her parents when only 4 years of age and in her late teens had a brief marriage to an older musician, which produced a daughter, Traci. They divorced soon after the child was born.
After starting her career in radio and television in Australia, she appeared on the TV pop music show “Band-stand” and won their talent contest, this win opened new doors and in 1966 she decided to moved to the USA first living in New York. There after living together for only four days, she married hubby number two, Jeff Wald, he became her Manager and to further her singing career they moved to Los Angeles, California where in 1970 she signed a recording contract with Capitol Records.
Along with her Aussie friend Olivia Newton-John, Helen became one of the most successful female recording artists of the Seventies, with 14 U.S Top 40 singles between 1971-1978. She also was a big influence in Olivia’s career, persuading her to also move, from England, and settle in the United States thus leading to her winning the staring role of “Sandy” in the hit musical “Grease”.
Helen’s first top 40 U.S hit was in 1971- “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, and then in 1972 she recorded “I am Women” which she co-wrote and this song became her first number 1 hit. She attributed the writing of this song to her early awareness of the women’s movement and the Australian rock critic – pioneer feminist Lillian Roxon. As she couldn’t find a song to record, which reflected the “positive self-image she had gained from joining the women’s movement”, she decided she would have to write one. At first the song didn’t get much airplay but soon female listeners began repeatedly requesting it from their local radio stations – this constant attention pushed the song up the charts and the song is a total classic and has become a feminist anthem. The song earned her a Grammy Award for Female Pop Vocal Performance and at the awards ceremony she ended her acceptance speech by thanking GOD “ because SHE makes everything possible”
Over the next few years Helen had many hits songs some of these hits were earlier refused by other artists like Cher and Bette Midler but were recorded by her and with her strong voice and female following became instant hits. One of these songs was “Delta Dawn” which was turned down by Bette Midler and Tanya Tucker and Barbra Streisand even went as far as putting down the backing tracks but refused to sing a pop song so her agent contacted Jeff Wald, Helen’s manager/husband, offering her the already recorded music tracks and song, and with Helen’s strong vocals this became her number two hit on the charts in 1973. Cher was offered “Angie Baby” but refused it and once again Helen snapped it up and in 1974 this became her number three hit.
Helen became the most successful artist on the U.S Adult Contemporary charts, gaining fourteen top ten singles from 1971 to 1977 with eight of these songs reaching number one and three making number two.
Some hits were “You and Me Against the World”, “Leave Me Alone”, “Let Me Be Your Woman”, “The Happy Girl’s”, “Emotion”, “Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady”.
Recently Helen became active in community affairs and served as the state of California’s Parks and Recreation commissioner for 3 years. In 2002 she retired from performing and moved back to Australia were she published an autobiography and appeared on the “Today Show” in May 2006. She was also recently added to the ARIA Hall Of Fame, with a tribute performance by Vanessa Amorosi of “I Am Woman”.
Unfortunately Helen suffers from Addison’s disease, a failure of the adrenal glands, which requires ongoing medical treatment to maintain normal activities. Helen has sold more than 15 million albums and 10 million singles, and was the first Australian-born performer to win a Grammy award. In 1974 she became an American citizen, but currently is working as a Clinical Hypnotheapist and practicing in Sydney and is Patron of the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists.
Well- what a well-earned list of achievements for one woman, an Aussie born women especially, her career and songs are inspirational to women around the world. I must admit apart from her name and the “I am Woman” song along with a bit of history about her families connection to the entertainment industry I never realised how talented and famous she was and probably still is. She would be earning royalties for her recordings and I’m sure her feminist anthem song “I Am Women” would be sung many times a week by entertainers in gay and karaoke bars around the world. I have seen many performers dress-up and sing to Helen’s song. Everyone knows the words and everyone sings it loud!
This is Helen Reddy’s journey and the strong words in her anthem song hopefully gives encouragement and pride and self-esteem to many women maybe frightened to step out of the shadows of a loveless, violent relationship and move on. We do not have to be home-bound or unwilling to progress, if Helen can sing this song in the 1970’s when women were still being dominated and under-paid compared to men’s wages and most churches were still against birth control then we as women in 2007 should be thankful to her by being proud to be ourselves and make the most of our lives, as free thinkers.
Instead, many Muslim women are coming to this country to live- and want to live under a veil-controlled by loser men, too afraid to give freedom of choice to their daughters. And this is happening here right now in Australia. It makes me sick how in the 21st century these people want to turn back women’s rights and even demand that Doctor’s through the free Medicare system perform circumcision on young women REGULARLY, in Australia, all in the name of religion and I find when they come to this country instead of joining and strengthening the feminist bonds, hate us for our freedom of sexuality and dress code.
PLEASE HELEN RE-RELEASE YOUR “I AM WOMEN” SONG FOR ALL THE YOUNG AND SOON TO BE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA, LET THEM KNOW IF YOU CAN DO IT 35 YEARS AGO THEN AS WOMEN THEY MUST UNITE AND HAVE AN IMPORTANT INPUT INTO THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN.
We need happiness in life to raise happy well-adjusted children or there will be only hatred and unrest and division in this beautiful multi-cultural country, my birthplace Australia.
The end
JOURNAL-Week 11.
Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy was born on October 25th 1941 in Melbourne, Victoria and is known as an Australian pop singer and actress. Her Australian show business family is well-known performers of the vaudeville circuit. Helen’s mother was Stella Lamond and father writer-actor-comedian Max Reddy, and her older sister is actress-singer Toni Lamond who along with her son singer Tony Sheldon make up the the very talented family
.
Helen, this year, would have just turned 66 years old; she started her career performing on stage with her parents when only 4 years of age and in her late teens had a brief marriage to an older musician, which produced a daughter, Traci. They divorced soon after the child was born.
After starting her career in radio and television in Australia, she appeared on the TV pop music show “Band-stand” and won their talent contest, this win opened new doors and in 1966 she decided to moved to the USA first living in New York. There after living together for only four days, she married hubby number two, Jeff Wald, he became her Manager and to further her singing career they moved to Los Angeles, California where in 1970 she signed a recording contract with Capitol Records.
Along with her Aussie friend Olivia Newton-John, Helen became one of the most successful female recording artists of the Seventies, with 14 U.S Top 40 singles between 1971-1978. She also was a big influence in Olivia’s career, persuading her to also move, from England, and settle in the United States thus leading to her winning the staring role of “Sandy” in the hit musical “Grease”.
Helen’s first top 40 U.S hit was in 1971- “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, and then in 1972 she recorded “I am Women” which she co-wrote and this song became her first number 1 hit. She attributed the writing of this song to her early awareness of the women’s movement and the Australian rock critic – pioneer feminist Lillian Roxon. As she couldn’t find a song to record, which reflected the “positive self-image she had gained from joining the women’s movement”, she decided she would have to write one. At first the song didn’t get much airplay but soon female listeners began repeatedly requesting it from their local radio stations – this constant attention pushed the song up the charts and the song is a total classic and has become a feminist anthem. The song earned her a Grammy Award for Female Pop Vocal Performance and at the awards ceremony she ended her acceptance speech by thanking GOD “ because SHE makes everything possible”
Over the next few years Helen had many hits songs some of these hits were earlier refused by other artists like Cher and Bette Midler but were recorded by her and with her strong voice and female following became instant hits. One of these songs was “Delta Dawn” which was turned down by Bette Midler and Tanya Tucker and Barbra Streisand even went as far as putting down the backing tracks but refused to sing a pop song so her agent contacted Jeff Wald, Helen’s manager/husband, offering her the already recorded music tracks and song, and with Helen’s strong vocals this became her number two hit on the charts in 1973. Cher was offered “Angie Baby” but refused it and once again Helen snapped it up and in 1974 this became her number three hit.
Helen became the most successful artist on the U.S Adult Contemporary charts, gaining fourteen top ten singles from 1971 to 1977 with eight of these songs reaching number one and three making number two.
Some hits were “You and Me Against the World”, “Leave Me Alone”, “Let Me Be Your Woman”, “The Happy Girl’s”, “Emotion”, “Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady”.
Recently Helen became active in community affairs and served as the state of California’s Parks and Recreation commissioner for 3 years. In 2002 she retired from performing and moved back to Australia were she published an autobiography and appeared on the “Today Show” in May 2006. She was also recently added to the ARIA Hall Of Fame, with a tribute performance by Vanessa Amorosi of “I Am Woman”.
Unfortunately Helen suffers from Addison’s disease, a failure of the adrenal glands, which requires ongoing medical treatment to maintain normal activities. Helen has sold more than 15 million albums and 10 million singles, and was the first Australian-born performer to win a Grammy award. In 1974 she became an American citizen, but currently is working as a Clinical Hypnotheapist and practicing in Sydney and is Patron of the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists.
Well- what a well-earned list of achievements for one woman, an Aussie born women especially, her career and songs are inspirational to women around the world. I must admit apart from her name and the “I am Woman” song along with a bit of history about her families connection to the entertainment industry I never realised how talented and famous she was and probably still is. She would be earning royalties for her recordings and I’m sure her feminist anthem song “I Am Women” would be sung many times a week by entertainers in gay and karaoke bars around the world. I have seen many performers dress-up and sing to Helen’s song. Everyone knows the words and everyone sings it loud!
This is Helen Reddy’s journey and the strong words in her anthem song hopefully gives encouragement and pride and self-esteem to many women maybe frightened to step out of the shadows of a loveless, violent relationship and move on. We do not have to be home-bound or unwilling to progress, if Helen can sing this song in the 1970’s when women were still being dominated and under-paid compared to men’s wages and most churches were still against birth control then we as women in 2007 should be thankful to her by being proud to be ourselves and make the most of our lives, as free thinkers.
Instead, many Muslim women are coming to this country to live- and want to live under a veil-controlled by loser men, too afraid to give freedom of choice to their daughters. And this is happening here right now in Australia. It makes me sick how in the 21st century these people want to turn back women’s rights and even demand that Doctor’s through the free Medicare system perform circumcision on young women REGULARLY, in Australia, all in the name of religion and I find when they come to this country instead of joining and strengthening the feminist bonds, hate us for our freedom of sexuality and dress code.
PLEASE HELEN RE-RELEASE YOUR “I AM WOMEN” SONG FOR ALL THE YOUNG AND SOON TO BE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA, LET THEM KNOW IF YOU CAN DO IT 35 YEARS AGO THEN AS WOMEN THEY MUST UNITE AND HAVE AN IMPORTANT INPUT INTO THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN.
We need happiness in life to raise happy well-adjusted children or there will be only hatred and unrest and division in this beautiful multi-cultural country, my birthplace Australia.
The end
Monday, September 24, 2007
MONA LISA SMILE JOURNAL WK 9
The evidence that times have changed from then (1953) to now (2007) is the fact women have freedom of choice now. The list is endless from opportunity to complete your education even if you have children or a partner to contraception availability and the privacy act which allows women to attend a Doctor, of her choice, and even consider abortion if that's what is required by the patient.The teacher (Catherine) was 30 years old yet having a full life teaching and others judged her as weird because she wasn't married with children and at home full time. This was the norm for the times. Catherine was a smart, talented and dedicated career women and knew she would marry one day but wasn't thinking about it continuously.If it happened it happened-she wasn't going to stress out or be controlled by other people's opinions of her. It was her life and her choice she was not going to be forced into hasty decisions. The workforce in 2007 has strict rules on sexual harassment amongst employers and employees whereas in the 50's there was little protection for harassing bosses.
In the 50's little progress had been made as far as women's rights went. The headmaster at the private school ruled over the female teachers as too much Independence for women frightened men and men thought women were too busy dreaming about their weddings and being a mother to take business seriously. Even when women had great success men took the credit. Men controlled their families and the women were expected to care for the men the children and the home and their education was finished and work outside the home was pretty well on hold, unless hubby died then the woman would most probably look for another hubby rather than take the lead and enter the work-force. More children and more work at home. Not many women drove cars as their self esteem and confidence was not formed as they were not used to making their own decisions. Often women were isolated and had limited education. Their sole role in life was to care - BUT who cared about their goals or dreams, maybe men thought they were happy in their role so no-one actually asked about how they felt? I'm so glad women have a voice and are listened to now. Some men have commented that they left the raising of their children solely to the mother, so unfortunately the children had little education and married young, just like Mum.
This film was definitely set in the 1950's as the decor was dated, things like wallpaper throughout the home, the length of skirts and coats and the girls at school talked about women's girdles and discussed buying the latest in appliances in the home, for example washing machines or fridges especially when they married. Some girls had names like Joan and Betty and most women wore aprons in the home. Many women wore animal furs, pearls around their necks and hats even the young girls always wore hats and maybe gloves. Men smoked pipes and cigars inside the house and at the dinner table with no problems or concern for others. The dance styles were very 1950's - being the Jitter-bug and Jive and music was records. There was no I Pods, Computers or Mobile Phones and of course all girls wanted a hoola-hoop for Xmas. We have all come a long way since then and lets hope no men or religion will TRY and put us back in the dark old days. GO GIRL POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the 50's little progress had been made as far as women's rights went. The headmaster at the private school ruled over the female teachers as too much Independence for women frightened men and men thought women were too busy dreaming about their weddings and being a mother to take business seriously. Even when women had great success men took the credit. Men controlled their families and the women were expected to care for the men the children and the home and their education was finished and work outside the home was pretty well on hold, unless hubby died then the woman would most probably look for another hubby rather than take the lead and enter the work-force. More children and more work at home. Not many women drove cars as their self esteem and confidence was not formed as they were not used to making their own decisions. Often women were isolated and had limited education. Their sole role in life was to care - BUT who cared about their goals or dreams, maybe men thought they were happy in their role so no-one actually asked about how they felt? I'm so glad women have a voice and are listened to now. Some men have commented that they left the raising of their children solely to the mother, so unfortunately the children had little education and married young, just like Mum.
This film was definitely set in the 1950's as the decor was dated, things like wallpaper throughout the home, the length of skirts and coats and the girls at school talked about women's girdles and discussed buying the latest in appliances in the home, for example washing machines or fridges especially when they married. Some girls had names like Joan and Betty and most women wore aprons in the home. Many women wore animal furs, pearls around their necks and hats even the young girls always wore hats and maybe gloves. Men smoked pipes and cigars inside the house and at the dinner table with no problems or concern for others. The dance styles were very 1950's - being the Jitter-bug and Jive and music was records. There was no I Pods, Computers or Mobile Phones and of course all girls wanted a hoola-hoop for Xmas. We have all come a long way since then and lets hope no men or religion will TRY and put us back in the dark old days. GO GIRL POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
journal week 5
Maria Elvira Blanco was born in Madrid, Spain on the 22nd of September 1958, to a Schoolteacher father and a stay-at-home mother, now with 4 children all under school age. Maria was the baby of the family with an older sister Maria Violetta and two rowdy brothers Manuel and Fernando (Fenny).
Life in Spain was very expensive especially in Madrid, even though her father earned a modest wage as a teacher, Raquel wanted more for her four children and someone they knew suggested to migrate to Australia.
Raquel finally persuaded her husband that they would have a happier and easier way of life in Australian and he would be able to get maybe a promotion in his field and if he were so unhappy they would all return back home together.
The paper work was sent off, photo’s taken and they had to wait for notification. In Spain the family lived in a two roomed home but could not afford a bigger house. Maria had darkish olive skin and very light blue eyes; her mother would whisper that, she had gypsy blood in the family way back. Which is a true story.
Word had arrived and the family packed to go to their new home.
The Blanco family arrived in Sydney N.S.W when Maria was three years old, this would have been in the early 1960’s and according to the class handout survey many families with a skilled profession were arriving from many countries other than England. So the totally white migration act was starting to be relaxed and more cultures were arriving and even Asian migrants were coming.
Maria Elvira and Fernando stayed at home but the two elder children started school at Crows Nest primary school. Life was busy but none of them including the father was able to speak the language so the father had to go to school to re-do his education in English but until then – which could be a few years- he accepted a factory job as part of the migration deal was to be employed.
Life started to improve with the older children learning to read and write English and teaching everyone at home. Raquel met a few people from the Spanish club in Sydney’s CBD and everything seemed to be going smoothly until one after noon the father came home and said they were all going back to Spain because he felt like a failure in this country working in a hot factory whereas in their country he would be a teacher, and have respect. The older children enjoyed school and had friends and Raquel could feel Australian had more to offer her family than going backwards.
So they agreed they wanted to stay so without any more notice the father left his job, education and family and flew back to Madrid. He promised to send some money for the family to live on.
Money arrived but apparently it stopped when he started drinking. So with not much money –probably some Government payment- the family moved to a small terrace house in Newtown, which is closer to the city and her friends at the Spanish club.
Page 1
Raquel was a great cook and started cooking a few meals here and there for her friends from the Spanish Club who were mostly musicians and would visit her and eat late at night.
By now Maria was almost old enough for school and Raquel had trouble learning English as she spoke Spanish at home and with her new friends and she even shopped at Spanish grocery shops. Because of the husband’s alcohol problem he was only able to do tutoring at home which was a one-room bungalow, Raquel started to send him money hoping he would return to his family as they all missed him very much. He led them to believe he was saving to return and it wouldn’t be long. After many months of struggling to survive Raquel realized he was not returning, the money he was telling her he was saving for his fare back and to help her - the lot it was non- existent - she knew she was on her own she had to support her family keep the children at school and some how with still no English skills find work Raquel thought of going back to Spain but with air-fares and then resettlement it was out of the question even though she had her sisters and family back there.
That’s it the rent was due, many bills and food but Raquel had no money, the family had to leave there home in Newtown, and once again a new school for the kids and having to make new friends. The eldest boy was getting into a lot of trouble from the Police for stealing as he pined for his father and tried to help his mother.
Then Raquel got the luck she knew she would get by coming to Australia “ the land of opportunity” some-one offered her a place to live fairly cheaply but it was an old shop down stairs and upstairs a small one bedroom flat. They took it. Some friends from the Spanish community help paint it and put in a small temporary kitchen. The children came home from school and washed floors, windows, cleaned up the flat and then it was time to open the doors and see what happens? The Restaurant was situated on William Street at Darlinghurst near Kings X there was quite a lot of passing trade.
With no money for food for the customers Raquel would get the older kids to take the orders and put little Maria out the kitchen window into the back lane which was where the prostitutes and tranny’s started work about 9pm, so Maria would take a list of the ingredience needed for each dish and run down the back lane to the Spanish grocery store as fast as she could and then run back with the bags and the workers in the lane would look out for her and help her back into the kitchen window where Raquel was cooking away. This would go on until there was enough food for the menu. The working girls would order food out the back window and the older school children added up the bills and charged the customers and tidied up. If there was only a couple of customers then the children only got left over bread to eat.
After awhile people where starting to return and the grocer started to make deliveries and the children were enrolled in private Catholic schools close by. The bills were being paid and after the tables were cleared and the customers gone the large table in the Restaurant was set and the children ate their main meal of the day. Some days Maria said she felt faint from no food and too many late nights. But the family stayed together and worked together. The shop was known as a family Restaurant and many people brought their own kids and didn’t mind the children serving them, as the food was very traditional Spanish dishes. page 2.
.
Page 3
Raquel went on to own “Casa Raquel’s” at Surrey Hills, “Raquel’s” near Taylor’s Square and to this day “RAQUEL’S TAVERN” on Oxford Street at Darlinghurst Sydney. I have worked at all the Restaurant’s and gone to the Flemington markets and the fish markets at Ultimo with Maria many, many times to pick up stock at 5am.
All the children had private educations and Maria Violetta’s best friend is Kerri-Anne Kennerley. Big Maria was working as a private secretary at Westfield’s and Associates (Lawyers) who overlook all the Westfield shopping centers. She married one of the partner’s- lawyer Michael Page and they live in Michael’s family’s home at Rose Bay on the harbour.
The reason both the girls’ first names were Maria was by a law, introduced by Franco that all girls born in Spain would have a Catholic name. So each family took one name Catherine, Therese and the Blanco family took Maria but when the girls started school in Australia the first name given is whom they are known as. So it was always big Maria and little Maria.
Maria visited her father a couple of times in Madrid but felt sad for him as he has missed out on his family and the changes a new country may have brought him. Instead he chose to return to his country mainly because of the shock of change, which I have heard before about some migrant men, he wanted respect from his family and friends and didn’t like the idea the kids were becoming smarter than him. He felt without the knowledge of language he couldn’t fit in, yet he didn’t feel comfortable speaking another language. He really didn’t want to speak English.
Today Maria and Fenny do most of the cooking and manage the Restaurant and Fenny has 5 children and they all help out after school. Raquel is near 70 now and still goes into the Restaurant most nights to say hi to her second family – her customers. People come from everywhere to book a table at Rachel’s there is photos all over the windows and walls from visitors and the great attraction besides the company and food is the entertainment. When the Spanish Club closes about 11pm the musician’s often call by for a song and a drink, birthdays are celebrated with Spanish dancing and many wines. Maria bought a house at Bondi about 10 years ago and has slowly renovated it. Raquel never remarried and lives with Maria Elvira my best buddy whom I have known since she was 19 yo. I spent many Xmas’s with the family having lunch at the Restaurant. I used to do the salads, garlic or herb bread and the sweets menu. I worked hard but so did everyone and when the crowds started to leave the table is set and the staff and family all sat down to a shared meal and a chat over a glass of wine or two.
What a great story of survival from a family that arrived in Australia with no money, no friends and no language skills but with a desire for change and to succeed. I miss them all very much but meet up at the Restaurant whenever I get to visit Sydney.
CHRIS HICKS
WOMEN’S STUDIES
JOURNAL WK 5.
27-8-2007
Life in Spain was very expensive especially in Madrid, even though her father earned a modest wage as a teacher, Raquel wanted more for her four children and someone they knew suggested to migrate to Australia.
Raquel finally persuaded her husband that they would have a happier and easier way of life in Australian and he would be able to get maybe a promotion in his field and if he were so unhappy they would all return back home together.
The paper work was sent off, photo’s taken and they had to wait for notification. In Spain the family lived in a two roomed home but could not afford a bigger house. Maria had darkish olive skin and very light blue eyes; her mother would whisper that, she had gypsy blood in the family way back. Which is a true story.
Word had arrived and the family packed to go to their new home.
The Blanco family arrived in Sydney N.S.W when Maria was three years old, this would have been in the early 1960’s and according to the class handout survey many families with a skilled profession were arriving from many countries other than England. So the totally white migration act was starting to be relaxed and more cultures were arriving and even Asian migrants were coming.
Maria Elvira and Fernando stayed at home but the two elder children started school at Crows Nest primary school. Life was busy but none of them including the father was able to speak the language so the father had to go to school to re-do his education in English but until then – which could be a few years- he accepted a factory job as part of the migration deal was to be employed.
Life started to improve with the older children learning to read and write English and teaching everyone at home. Raquel met a few people from the Spanish club in Sydney’s CBD and everything seemed to be going smoothly until one after noon the father came home and said they were all going back to Spain because he felt like a failure in this country working in a hot factory whereas in their country he would be a teacher, and have respect. The older children enjoyed school and had friends and Raquel could feel Australian had more to offer her family than going backwards.
So they agreed they wanted to stay so without any more notice the father left his job, education and family and flew back to Madrid. He promised to send some money for the family to live on.
Money arrived but apparently it stopped when he started drinking. So with not much money –probably some Government payment- the family moved to a small terrace house in Newtown, which is closer to the city and her friends at the Spanish club.
Page 1
Raquel was a great cook and started cooking a few meals here and there for her friends from the Spanish Club who were mostly musicians and would visit her and eat late at night.
By now Maria was almost old enough for school and Raquel had trouble learning English as she spoke Spanish at home and with her new friends and she even shopped at Spanish grocery shops. Because of the husband’s alcohol problem he was only able to do tutoring at home which was a one-room bungalow, Raquel started to send him money hoping he would return to his family as they all missed him very much. He led them to believe he was saving to return and it wouldn’t be long. After many months of struggling to survive Raquel realized he was not returning, the money he was telling her he was saving for his fare back and to help her - the lot it was non- existent - she knew she was on her own she had to support her family keep the children at school and some how with still no English skills find work Raquel thought of going back to Spain but with air-fares and then resettlement it was out of the question even though she had her sisters and family back there.
That’s it the rent was due, many bills and food but Raquel had no money, the family had to leave there home in Newtown, and once again a new school for the kids and having to make new friends. The eldest boy was getting into a lot of trouble from the Police for stealing as he pined for his father and tried to help his mother.
Then Raquel got the luck she knew she would get by coming to Australia “ the land of opportunity” some-one offered her a place to live fairly cheaply but it was an old shop down stairs and upstairs a small one bedroom flat. They took it. Some friends from the Spanish community help paint it and put in a small temporary kitchen. The children came home from school and washed floors, windows, cleaned up the flat and then it was time to open the doors and see what happens? The Restaurant was situated on William Street at Darlinghurst near Kings X there was quite a lot of passing trade.
With no money for food for the customers Raquel would get the older kids to take the orders and put little Maria out the kitchen window into the back lane which was where the prostitutes and tranny’s started work about 9pm, so Maria would take a list of the ingredience needed for each dish and run down the back lane to the Spanish grocery store as fast as she could and then run back with the bags and the workers in the lane would look out for her and help her back into the kitchen window where Raquel was cooking away. This would go on until there was enough food for the menu. The working girls would order food out the back window and the older school children added up the bills and charged the customers and tidied up. If there was only a couple of customers then the children only got left over bread to eat.
After awhile people where starting to return and the grocer started to make deliveries and the children were enrolled in private Catholic schools close by. The bills were being paid and after the tables were cleared and the customers gone the large table in the Restaurant was set and the children ate their main meal of the day. Some days Maria said she felt faint from no food and too many late nights. But the family stayed together and worked together. The shop was known as a family Restaurant and many people brought their own kids and didn’t mind the children serving them, as the food was very traditional Spanish dishes. page 2.
.
Page 3
Raquel went on to own “Casa Raquel’s” at Surrey Hills, “Raquel’s” near Taylor’s Square and to this day “RAQUEL’S TAVERN” on Oxford Street at Darlinghurst Sydney. I have worked at all the Restaurant’s and gone to the Flemington markets and the fish markets at Ultimo with Maria many, many times to pick up stock at 5am.
All the children had private educations and Maria Violetta’s best friend is Kerri-Anne Kennerley. Big Maria was working as a private secretary at Westfield’s and Associates (Lawyers) who overlook all the Westfield shopping centers. She married one of the partner’s- lawyer Michael Page and they live in Michael’s family’s home at Rose Bay on the harbour.
The reason both the girls’ first names were Maria was by a law, introduced by Franco that all girls born in Spain would have a Catholic name. So each family took one name Catherine, Therese and the Blanco family took Maria but when the girls started school in Australia the first name given is whom they are known as. So it was always big Maria and little Maria.
Maria visited her father a couple of times in Madrid but felt sad for him as he has missed out on his family and the changes a new country may have brought him. Instead he chose to return to his country mainly because of the shock of change, which I have heard before about some migrant men, he wanted respect from his family and friends and didn’t like the idea the kids were becoming smarter than him. He felt without the knowledge of language he couldn’t fit in, yet he didn’t feel comfortable speaking another language. He really didn’t want to speak English.
Today Maria and Fenny do most of the cooking and manage the Restaurant and Fenny has 5 children and they all help out after school. Raquel is near 70 now and still goes into the Restaurant most nights to say hi to her second family – her customers. People come from everywhere to book a table at Rachel’s there is photos all over the windows and walls from visitors and the great attraction besides the company and food is the entertainment. When the Spanish Club closes about 11pm the musician’s often call by for a song and a drink, birthdays are celebrated with Spanish dancing and many wines. Maria bought a house at Bondi about 10 years ago and has slowly renovated it. Raquel never remarried and lives with Maria Elvira my best buddy whom I have known since she was 19 yo. I spent many Xmas’s with the family having lunch at the Restaurant. I used to do the salads, garlic or herb bread and the sweets menu. I worked hard but so did everyone and when the crowds started to leave the table is set and the staff and family all sat down to a shared meal and a chat over a glass of wine or two.
What a great story of survival from a family that arrived in Australia with no money, no friends and no language skills but with a desire for change and to succeed. I miss them all very much but meet up at the Restaurant whenever I get to visit Sydney.
CHRIS HICKS
WOMEN’S STUDIES
JOURNAL WK 5.
27-8-2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
journal 4
Billie Jean Moffitt King (born November 22, 1943 in Long Beach, California) is a retired tennis player from the United States.
King was born Billie Jean Moffitt. She was born into a conservative Methodist family, the daughter of a firefighter father and housewife mother.
During her career, she won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
Of her singles titles: 6 at Wimbledon, 4 at the U.S. Championships/Open, 1 at the French Open, and 1 at the Australian Championships. She won the last 7 Grand Slam singles finals in which she played, 6 of them in straight sets. Four of those finals were against Evonne Goolagong.
She is generally considered to be one of the greatest female tennis players and female athletes in history. King has been an outspoken advocate against sexism in sports and society. The tennis match for which the public best remembers her is the "Battle of the Sexes" in 1973, in which she defeated Bobby Riggs, a former Wimbledon men's champion.
In 2000, King received an award from the GLAAD, an organisation devoted to reducing discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals, for "furthering the visibility and inclusion of the community in her work." The award noted her involvement in production and the free distribution of educational films, as well as serving on the boards of several AIDS charities..
King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1990, Life magazine named her one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century."
King was the recipient of the 1999 Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
.Friends with singer Elton John, the song "Philadelphia Freedom" is a tribute to King. On a PBS program, John talked about how he brought a demo copy of the record to play for her right after he had recorded it.
I believe Billie Jean should be included on the list of 50 women Who Have Changed the Way We Live because her list of achievements and strength of character bought attention to the tennis game, she is a great roll model for future women tennis players – that hard work pays off, and is well respected in the field. The song by Michael Jackson also bought attention to her name. I admire Billie Jean as she made a great contribution to the sport yet the prize money for women players is nothing like it is today, had she won the same amount of Grand-Slams today as in her prime, she would definitely be a multi, multi millionaire.
King was born Billie Jean Moffitt. She was born into a conservative Methodist family, the daughter of a firefighter father and housewife mother.
During her career, she won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
Of her singles titles: 6 at Wimbledon, 4 at the U.S. Championships/Open, 1 at the French Open, and 1 at the Australian Championships. She won the last 7 Grand Slam singles finals in which she played, 6 of them in straight sets. Four of those finals were against Evonne Goolagong.
She is generally considered to be one of the greatest female tennis players and female athletes in history. King has been an outspoken advocate against sexism in sports and society. The tennis match for which the public best remembers her is the "Battle of the Sexes" in 1973, in which she defeated Bobby Riggs, a former Wimbledon men's champion.
In 2000, King received an award from the GLAAD, an organisation devoted to reducing discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals, for "furthering the visibility and inclusion of the community in her work." The award noted her involvement in production and the free distribution of educational films, as well as serving on the boards of several AIDS charities..
King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1990, Life magazine named her one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century."
King was the recipient of the 1999 Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
.Friends with singer Elton John, the song "Philadelphia Freedom" is a tribute to King. On a PBS program, John talked about how he brought a demo copy of the record to play for her right after he had recorded it.
I believe Billie Jean should be included on the list of 50 women Who Have Changed the Way We Live because her list of achievements and strength of character bought attention to the tennis game, she is a great roll model for future women tennis players – that hard work pays off, and is well respected in the field. The song by Michael Jackson also bought attention to her name. I admire Billie Jean as she made a great contribution to the sport yet the prize money for women players is nothing like it is today, had she won the same amount of Grand-Slams today as in her prime, she would definitely be a multi, multi millionaire.
journal 3
WOMEN’S STUDIES 1.
Journal Week 3.
D.V.D.-WOMEN OF THE SUN- Nerida Anderson.
Nerida Anderson appeared to be a well-educated, alert young Aboriginal women who loved her family very much and was very concerned about her families welfare living in horrifying conditions. The shacks were overcrowded cold in winter, and run-down with stressful supervised fortnightly house inspections. The beds were inspected and the people made to feel as if in prison rather than in a free country with rights. The food was rationed and some only received 1 potato for dinner and yet they were expected to work hard.
Nerida was a good leader as she has just finished a four-year education course as a Clerk in the city so she was used to receiving some respect and also knew the laws quite well. She wanted to go about a change for her people in the correct manner rather than to fight and cause a disturbance, like her brother and relative. The young men were traumatized by their situation and hopelessness. Nerida gave them hope, a wonderful kind spirited women who was prepared to give it a go, to help her people help themselves to improve their lives and stop the neglect and starvation and sickness (including T.B) at the mission. She was their chance for a change and everyone was listening to every suggestion she made.
Her father, who had been suffering from lung-disease, after being gassed in the war, fought along side the Australian soldiers at Galipoli. The Galipoli war was fierce and a lot of soldiers died but when the Aboriginal soldiers arrived home they received no respect or recognition as an Ausralian service man, no parade or medals or even a pension, as they were not classed as Australian citizens until the 1960’s. Many men like Nerida’s father received no medication or follow up medical treatment and was still expected to work a full day, even though he could not stop coughing and his health was suffering. The men were treated as a non-entity because they were Aboriginals.
The people do not feel equal or Australian, as they do not have the freedom of movement that the other people have. The Aboriginal people are not allowed to leave the Koomalah Aboriginal Reserve without the permission of the reserve manager. I think the film tries to bring attention to how Nerida’s father would feel putting up his life to help Australia in the war and getting nothing from the Australian people or Government in return. A home for his family and some medical help is not too much to ask but they received nothing. Yet they enlisted for the war and so did many other Aboriginal men and women.
The reserve manager Mr. Felton was arrogant, rude, dominant, crude, a drunk and a brute yet he was the boss of the mission and it was common knowledge he was sexually harassing the women. He told Nerida when she came back to the mission to spend some time with her family that she had to work as a house maid yet she was qualified in office work, only the women that he abused received make-up favours. When Nerida refused his advances he became violent and changed the situation to try and blame Nerida for her advances towards him. This is when she decides to form a petition to gather signatures and present it to the Aboriginal Protection Board, to change the living conditions, but when they ignored their request she decides to have a secret meeting, which was illegal without the managers consent. The filmmakers did not play the station manager’s roll too harshly as I think the sexual abuse and starvation amongst the kids would have been as bad if not worse and it was his job to bring harmony and standard living conditions to all on the mission, which he failed to do. He is part of the problem a big part, he took away the people’s pride and self esteem and hope. Without these things a person will rebel.
When Nerida’s father took ill one night, Mr. Fenton didn’t even want to drive him to hospital but Nerida forced him to show concern and threatened him with action if he refused. Wearing only flour sacks over their heads for protection against the hard rain their father was taken to hospital where unfortunately, he died a few days later.
The station manager had gained information that Nerida and her brother and relative were holding a secret meeting and decided to have them arrested and tried for treason. They appeared in court for rioting and disobedience but the court judges the charge as inappropriate and questions why the Aboriginal Protection Board did not handle the case, therefore the court case was dismissed. The Board issued a 6-month bond for a non-permit meeting.
The priest Mr. Short, who lives on the mission was a weak man frightened of Mr. Fenton the station manager, he was supposed to help the people spirituality and with compassion yet when asked in court to describe the disgusting living conditions and the sad isolation of it’s people he lied and thought of his own job and himself and not the people.
Nerida knew no-one was safe on the mission especially the young girls who are forcefully removed from their families and sent off to work as domestic help at remote cattle stations. The families didn’t even know where their children were going - they were abused and beaten and traumatized by these actions.
.
Through constant communication and persuasion Nerida, convinces the people to “walk-out” of the mission and live independent lives. This event is known in history as the Cumeroongunga Walkout. So Nerida was a good leader as she showed compassion and commitment to her people’s plight and the outcome was excellent. A new beginning, which will include better living conditions and freedom of choice for work or an education.
The statistics we looked at on Indigenous women was quite confronting. I am shocked that Indigenous women were 20 times more likely to be in prison than non-indigenous women. I thought many Aboriginal men are in jail but did not think that many women where incarcerated. Also that Indigenous women are 45 times more likely to be the victims of domestic violence than other Australian women. The solution to some of these problems would have to be on going. A chance for affordable housing with an education and keeping the family unit together would be first on the list. The women will need councilling for their mental anguish and a support group made up mostly of other Aboriginal women who have made the transformation from victim to survivor. All these things take time and I only hope that funding and on going treatment will instill a greater quality of life for all Native Australian’s – it’s long overdue!!!!!
CHRIS HICKS – page 2..
Journal Week 3.
D.V.D.-WOMEN OF THE SUN- Nerida Anderson.
Nerida Anderson appeared to be a well-educated, alert young Aboriginal women who loved her family very much and was very concerned about her families welfare living in horrifying conditions. The shacks were overcrowded cold in winter, and run-down with stressful supervised fortnightly house inspections. The beds were inspected and the people made to feel as if in prison rather than in a free country with rights. The food was rationed and some only received 1 potato for dinner and yet they were expected to work hard.
Nerida was a good leader as she has just finished a four-year education course as a Clerk in the city so she was used to receiving some respect and also knew the laws quite well. She wanted to go about a change for her people in the correct manner rather than to fight and cause a disturbance, like her brother and relative. The young men were traumatized by their situation and hopelessness. Nerida gave them hope, a wonderful kind spirited women who was prepared to give it a go, to help her people help themselves to improve their lives and stop the neglect and starvation and sickness (including T.B) at the mission. She was their chance for a change and everyone was listening to every suggestion she made.
Her father, who had been suffering from lung-disease, after being gassed in the war, fought along side the Australian soldiers at Galipoli. The Galipoli war was fierce and a lot of soldiers died but when the Aboriginal soldiers arrived home they received no respect or recognition as an Ausralian service man, no parade or medals or even a pension, as they were not classed as Australian citizens until the 1960’s. Many men like Nerida’s father received no medication or follow up medical treatment and was still expected to work a full day, even though he could not stop coughing and his health was suffering. The men were treated as a non-entity because they were Aboriginals.
The people do not feel equal or Australian, as they do not have the freedom of movement that the other people have. The Aboriginal people are not allowed to leave the Koomalah Aboriginal Reserve without the permission of the reserve manager. I think the film tries to bring attention to how Nerida’s father would feel putting up his life to help Australia in the war and getting nothing from the Australian people or Government in return. A home for his family and some medical help is not too much to ask but they received nothing. Yet they enlisted for the war and so did many other Aboriginal men and women.
The reserve manager Mr. Felton was arrogant, rude, dominant, crude, a drunk and a brute yet he was the boss of the mission and it was common knowledge he was sexually harassing the women. He told Nerida when she came back to the mission to spend some time with her family that she had to work as a house maid yet she was qualified in office work, only the women that he abused received make-up favours. When Nerida refused his advances he became violent and changed the situation to try and blame Nerida for her advances towards him. This is when she decides to form a petition to gather signatures and present it to the Aboriginal Protection Board, to change the living conditions, but when they ignored their request she decides to have a secret meeting, which was illegal without the managers consent. The filmmakers did not play the station manager’s roll too harshly as I think the sexual abuse and starvation amongst the kids would have been as bad if not worse and it was his job to bring harmony and standard living conditions to all on the mission, which he failed to do. He is part of the problem a big part, he took away the people’s pride and self esteem and hope. Without these things a person will rebel.
When Nerida’s father took ill one night, Mr. Fenton didn’t even want to drive him to hospital but Nerida forced him to show concern and threatened him with action if he refused. Wearing only flour sacks over their heads for protection against the hard rain their father was taken to hospital where unfortunately, he died a few days later.
The station manager had gained information that Nerida and her brother and relative were holding a secret meeting and decided to have them arrested and tried for treason. They appeared in court for rioting and disobedience but the court judges the charge as inappropriate and questions why the Aboriginal Protection Board did not handle the case, therefore the court case was dismissed. The Board issued a 6-month bond for a non-permit meeting.
The priest Mr. Short, who lives on the mission was a weak man frightened of Mr. Fenton the station manager, he was supposed to help the people spirituality and with compassion yet when asked in court to describe the disgusting living conditions and the sad isolation of it’s people he lied and thought of his own job and himself and not the people.
Nerida knew no-one was safe on the mission especially the young girls who are forcefully removed from their families and sent off to work as domestic help at remote cattle stations. The families didn’t even know where their children were going - they were abused and beaten and traumatized by these actions.
.
Through constant communication and persuasion Nerida, convinces the people to “walk-out” of the mission and live independent lives. This event is known in history as the Cumeroongunga Walkout. So Nerida was a good leader as she showed compassion and commitment to her people’s plight and the outcome was excellent. A new beginning, which will include better living conditions and freedom of choice for work or an education.
The statistics we looked at on Indigenous women was quite confronting. I am shocked that Indigenous women were 20 times more likely to be in prison than non-indigenous women. I thought many Aboriginal men are in jail but did not think that many women where incarcerated. Also that Indigenous women are 45 times more likely to be the victims of domestic violence than other Australian women. The solution to some of these problems would have to be on going. A chance for affordable housing with an education and keeping the family unit together would be first on the list. The women will need councilling for their mental anguish and a support group made up mostly of other Aboriginal women who have made the transformation from victim to survivor. All these things take time and I only hope that funding and on going treatment will instill a greater quality of life for all Native Australian’s – it’s long overdue!!!!!
CHRIS HICKS – page 2..
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Journal Week 2 - 50 Women
CHRIS HICKS
WOMEN’S STUDIES
JOURNAL – WEEK 2
Some of the women in the group of 50 that I feel have changed the way we live are – MARGE SIMPSON
I chose Marge, as it is obvious that Homer and Bart have undiagnosed ADHD, and anti-social behavior issues but Marge loves her man and keeps the family unit going even in a dysfunctional way. The audience can laugh and relate to their struggle to cope and fit in.
MARILYN MONROE
Norma Jean – Actress
Marilyn had a tragic life mostly from her underprivileged childhood and by association with the Kennedy brothers John and Robert. Some of her movies often underestimated her acting ability as she was often portrayed as the glamorous bimbo-all “glitz and tits” (excuse my pun). Marilyn was a troubled soul, and was too sensitive for the movie industry and the vultures that sometimes, ran them. Unfortunately her sad and lonely private life, which was ruled by drug addiction, started to affect her career. Some photo’s of her show a very fragile woman whose only desire was to be loved and protected. Unfortunately this cost her, her life and we can all relate to that – A true legend!
ARETHA FRANKLIN
Titled “THE QUEEN OF SOUL”
She is an African-American singer who is an icon and an inspiration to millions of women around the world because of her endless range of soul music. Music speaks all languages and unites all cultures, a truely wonderful respected entertainer with a voice that can sing gospel or pop music. Aretha was born into poverty and was discovered while singing in her local church. Her journey to stardom inspired many black women to follow in her footsteps. The Motown record label was the biggest recording studio for African-American artists. People like Diana Ross and the Supremes and Stevie Wonder also started with Quincey Jones at Motown records.
PRINCESS DIANA
Title: Most Photographed Person.
In her short life Princess Diana produced two heirs to the throne for the English monarchy and to replace her loveless marriage she lost herself in her work. Diana worked tirelessly for her charities, which included AIDS, assistance for under privileged children and to abolish land mines. She wanted to bring this attention to the world to highlight the destruction land mines was having on communities mainly throughout third world countries. The loss of limbs affected a person’s ability to work, or even go outside safely. She did have an impact on the world and many countries had sanctions introduced to stop them being used. Unfortunately in some countries like Iraq and Afghanistan they still exist.
When Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in Paris the world was
reminded how fragile life is even if you are a beautiful, caring Princess. On the day of her funeral the whole world was watching and saddened by her two young sons following her coffin to the church. There will never be another Princess like Diana and many people miss her tremendously especially her family and charities.
MADONNA- I don’t think Madonna has changed the way we live. She was a great songwriter and entertainer when younger but seems to enjoy a “shock and awe” status. She seems very self-absorbed and needs to give back to the people just like her fans gave to her. She is very much into her religion and needs constant attention. Hopefully as she moves on from her career she becomes more involved with the worlds plight and needs instead of her own.
I think the other women listed have inspired us or changed the way we live our lives. They deserve to be remembered in history and it’s great that many Aboriginal women were high achievers.
Some other women I think should be mentioned for their input into society and the first is-
Condoleeza Rice – the US Secretary of State. She has great communication skills and has had to negotiate many situations in the Middle East and around the world. A strong African-American figurehead who often travels with the President on his private jet -Air force one. Condi –as she is often referred to is related to the man behind the Uncle Toby’s Rice Corporation. The company is run by her father and has been in the family for many generations. She is well respected and popular amongst her co-workers. I admire her dedication to world peace- a very smart, professional woman.
Phyllis Mary Turner- An Adelaide women aged 94 who is the oldest women in the world to earn a Science degree in Medicine. She has been invited to go to New York to appear on the Jay Leno show and is hoping to do so. What a wonderful achievement and inspiration to many mature women. She said the key to long life is to keep the brain stimulated and that is why she took on the challenge.
Ellen DeGenerese-One of the first women to “come-out” to her audience while working on her own TV sitcom. At first Ellen took a lot of flack from the producers for her openness and she even lost her show over it but admits it was necessary for her to be true to herself and her peers. Ellen has now moved on, is back on TV with a live chat show and in a new relationship with an Australian actress. Her mother often appears on her shows and is fully supportive of her daughter’s sexuality. She has hosted many award nights and is admired by all for her honesty and talent. On one show she stated that if she lived under Taliban law she would be history especially being a Jewish woman, American and gay. She is more popular and in demand these day and we the audience have all grown from her experience.
Pink-aka Alicia Moore singer/songwriter/activist
Pink is one of the very few people invited to appear on the Oprah show, she was invited after her song Stupid Girls was released. Oprah was fascinated by her lyrics and told her she was a great example to all girls dealing with body image problems. With her attitude and high energy the talented Pink has just completed a world tour (including Adelaide) receiving rave reviews, she is loved and admired by many fans. While in Australia she spoke out about cruelty to animals and became quite angry when interviewed by Richard Wilkins on channel 9 about the farmers and sheep”mulezing” She was very vocal and blamed Australia for the cruelty and stress to the animals and demanded the sheep be sedated while this process took place or she would join forces and blame Australia for this barbaric practice and she wanted it to stop. Now! Richard Wilkins was rather uncomfortable while she went off and told her she had been misinformed and that if she would like to meet with some farmers they would discuss this issue with her. She said even though she only had limited time here she wanted to go see for herself. Pink did meet with the farmers and took an active part in the follow up story and withdrew her remarks and apologized on the show and said the information she received was from her people and next time she will do her own research. She showed courage and class in admitting her mistake, she won a lot of respect for going against the other activists involved in wanting to ban lamb meat from Australia to the rest of the world, she could have cost us dearly but was smart enough to get the facts right.
I am an admirer of PINK, her lyrics and shows are very professional and entertaining I’m sure we will be seeing and hearing a lot more of Pink on stage and she will probably end up being an ambassador or representative of the American Government for animal rights. What a wonderful hard working, fit and talented artistic women. I wonder if she will have time to do a movie?
WOMEN’S STUDIES
JOURNAL – WEEK 2
Some of the women in the group of 50 that I feel have changed the way we live are – MARGE SIMPSON
I chose Marge, as it is obvious that Homer and Bart have undiagnosed ADHD, and anti-social behavior issues but Marge loves her man and keeps the family unit going even in a dysfunctional way. The audience can laugh and relate to their struggle to cope and fit in.
MARILYN MONROE
Norma Jean – Actress
Marilyn had a tragic life mostly from her underprivileged childhood and by association with the Kennedy brothers John and Robert. Some of her movies often underestimated her acting ability as she was often portrayed as the glamorous bimbo-all “glitz and tits” (excuse my pun). Marilyn was a troubled soul, and was too sensitive for the movie industry and the vultures that sometimes, ran them. Unfortunately her sad and lonely private life, which was ruled by drug addiction, started to affect her career. Some photo’s of her show a very fragile woman whose only desire was to be loved and protected. Unfortunately this cost her, her life and we can all relate to that – A true legend!
ARETHA FRANKLIN
Titled “THE QUEEN OF SOUL”
She is an African-American singer who is an icon and an inspiration to millions of women around the world because of her endless range of soul music. Music speaks all languages and unites all cultures, a truely wonderful respected entertainer with a voice that can sing gospel or pop music. Aretha was born into poverty and was discovered while singing in her local church. Her journey to stardom inspired many black women to follow in her footsteps. The Motown record label was the biggest recording studio for African-American artists. People like Diana Ross and the Supremes and Stevie Wonder also started with Quincey Jones at Motown records.
PRINCESS DIANA
Title: Most Photographed Person.
In her short life Princess Diana produced two heirs to the throne for the English monarchy and to replace her loveless marriage she lost herself in her work. Diana worked tirelessly for her charities, which included AIDS, assistance for under privileged children and to abolish land mines. She wanted to bring this attention to the world to highlight the destruction land mines was having on communities mainly throughout third world countries. The loss of limbs affected a person’s ability to work, or even go outside safely. She did have an impact on the world and many countries had sanctions introduced to stop them being used. Unfortunately in some countries like Iraq and Afghanistan they still exist.
When Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in Paris the world was
reminded how fragile life is even if you are a beautiful, caring Princess. On the day of her funeral the whole world was watching and saddened by her two young sons following her coffin to the church. There will never be another Princess like Diana and many people miss her tremendously especially her family and charities.
MADONNA- I don’t think Madonna has changed the way we live. She was a great songwriter and entertainer when younger but seems to enjoy a “shock and awe” status. She seems very self-absorbed and needs to give back to the people just like her fans gave to her. She is very much into her religion and needs constant attention. Hopefully as she moves on from her career she becomes more involved with the worlds plight and needs instead of her own.
I think the other women listed have inspired us or changed the way we live our lives. They deserve to be remembered in history and it’s great that many Aboriginal women were high achievers.
Some other women I think should be mentioned for their input into society and the first is-
Condoleeza Rice – the US Secretary of State. She has great communication skills and has had to negotiate many situations in the Middle East and around the world. A strong African-American figurehead who often travels with the President on his private jet -Air force one. Condi –as she is often referred to is related to the man behind the Uncle Toby’s Rice Corporation. The company is run by her father and has been in the family for many generations. She is well respected and popular amongst her co-workers. I admire her dedication to world peace- a very smart, professional woman.
Phyllis Mary Turner- An Adelaide women aged 94 who is the oldest women in the world to earn a Science degree in Medicine. She has been invited to go to New York to appear on the Jay Leno show and is hoping to do so. What a wonderful achievement and inspiration to many mature women. She said the key to long life is to keep the brain stimulated and that is why she took on the challenge.
Ellen DeGenerese-One of the first women to “come-out” to her audience while working on her own TV sitcom. At first Ellen took a lot of flack from the producers for her openness and she even lost her show over it but admits it was necessary for her to be true to herself and her peers. Ellen has now moved on, is back on TV with a live chat show and in a new relationship with an Australian actress. Her mother often appears on her shows and is fully supportive of her daughter’s sexuality. She has hosted many award nights and is admired by all for her honesty and talent. On one show she stated that if she lived under Taliban law she would be history especially being a Jewish woman, American and gay. She is more popular and in demand these day and we the audience have all grown from her experience.
Pink-aka Alicia Moore singer/songwriter/activist
Pink is one of the very few people invited to appear on the Oprah show, she was invited after her song Stupid Girls was released. Oprah was fascinated by her lyrics and told her she was a great example to all girls dealing with body image problems. With her attitude and high energy the talented Pink has just completed a world tour (including Adelaide) receiving rave reviews, she is loved and admired by many fans. While in Australia she spoke out about cruelty to animals and became quite angry when interviewed by Richard Wilkins on channel 9 about the farmers and sheep”mulezing” She was very vocal and blamed Australia for the cruelty and stress to the animals and demanded the sheep be sedated while this process took place or she would join forces and blame Australia for this barbaric practice and she wanted it to stop. Now! Richard Wilkins was rather uncomfortable while she went off and told her she had been misinformed and that if she would like to meet with some farmers they would discuss this issue with her. She said even though she only had limited time here she wanted to go see for herself. Pink did meet with the farmers and took an active part in the follow up story and withdrew her remarks and apologized on the show and said the information she received was from her people and next time she will do her own research. She showed courage and class in admitting her mistake, she won a lot of respect for going against the other activists involved in wanting to ban lamb meat from Australia to the rest of the world, she could have cost us dearly but was smart enough to get the facts right.
I am an admirer of PINK, her lyrics and shows are very professional and entertaining I’m sure we will be seeing and hearing a lot more of Pink on stage and she will probably end up being an ambassador or representative of the American Government for animal rights. What a wonderful hard working, fit and talented artistic women. I wonder if she will have time to do a movie?
Journal Week 1 Alinta the Flame
Wk 1
a) The course seems heavy but interesting. I enjoy learning about people, situations and past events especially women’s roles in history- past and present. Their recognition and achievements are long over-due.
b) I am interested to hear about their struggles for equal rights (wk 6) and also am enjoying the Aboriginal issues.
c) I will have to see as I go along if there are any worries, otherwise I hope I will keep up and come out of the course more informed than before.
2. a) History is open to interpretation; many stories vary from a person’s reflexes to bad-eye sight or even the way they were bought up. Some very important decisions were made in the world by leaders under the influence of alcohol or drugs or sex for that matter. Many mistresses knew the outcome of major events before the countries did. For example Winston Churchill in his time made many decisions on Cocaine also many songs and movies from history were created from substance abuse. Nero was drunk and surrounded by women while Rome burned.
b) The Cronulla beach riots in Sydney is a great example of conflicting witness recounts. Australia watched – by the media mostly – and we all judged the situation that changed the local communities lives forever. Two groups, one protecting their way of life and the other wanting to destroy that peaceful laid back beach scene. Many nationalities were involved and people were hurt and charged as well. Both groups involved blamed each other and to this day many people have mixed emotions on this confronting sad event.
3. Traditional Aboriginal culture in 1864 was all about the family way of life. I learnt that I am thankful I was not around then otherwise I would not have lasted long as the elders suppressed a women’s place in the tribe. Women were ordered to work hard, get a partner and have many children. Their childhood was about being taught how to care for the children and preparing food and listening. Not too much talking was allowed, yet the children seemed happy and contented. Much of their learning skills came from the elder women or their mother’s.
4. The men in the tribe ruled. They were the hunters and made all decisions and ordered harsh punishments if their laws were broken. The women cooked, gathered berries and roots and cared for the men and the elder women taught the girls how to obey their men. The elder women would make a suggestion about a problem and the male tribal elders would decide the outcome.
The men sat all together and smoked and talked and the women sat separate with the children. The men did not look after any babies. In Australia today the men are expected to care for their children, to help with bathing, cooking, home-work, school meetings and sport commitments. It’s more of a partnership with shared responsibilities and women who are dominated or abused will terminate the relationship and move on to another partner.
I empathise with the tribe – they were tough hunters yet they gave shelter and food to strangers- non Aboriginal people. Had they had better weapons and joined forces with the other tribes then history may have been different. There was enough land for everyone but the white settlers saw them as wild almost animalistic yet they were a tight knit caring family group whose only real problem was they were black skinned.
WOMEN’S STUDIES 1
CHRIS HICKS
JOURNAL WK1
ALINTA THE FLAME DVD.
a) The course seems heavy but interesting. I enjoy learning about people, situations and past events especially women’s roles in history- past and present. Their recognition and achievements are long over-due.
b) I am interested to hear about their struggles for equal rights (wk 6) and also am enjoying the Aboriginal issues.
c) I will have to see as I go along if there are any worries, otherwise I hope I will keep up and come out of the course more informed than before.
2. a) History is open to interpretation; many stories vary from a person’s reflexes to bad-eye sight or even the way they were bought up. Some very important decisions were made in the world by leaders under the influence of alcohol or drugs or sex for that matter. Many mistresses knew the outcome of major events before the countries did. For example Winston Churchill in his time made many decisions on Cocaine also many songs and movies from history were created from substance abuse. Nero was drunk and surrounded by women while Rome burned.
b) The Cronulla beach riots in Sydney is a great example of conflicting witness recounts. Australia watched – by the media mostly – and we all judged the situation that changed the local communities lives forever. Two groups, one protecting their way of life and the other wanting to destroy that peaceful laid back beach scene. Many nationalities were involved and people were hurt and charged as well. Both groups involved blamed each other and to this day many people have mixed emotions on this confronting sad event.
3. Traditional Aboriginal culture in 1864 was all about the family way of life. I learnt that I am thankful I was not around then otherwise I would not have lasted long as the elders suppressed a women’s place in the tribe. Women were ordered to work hard, get a partner and have many children. Their childhood was about being taught how to care for the children and preparing food and listening. Not too much talking was allowed, yet the children seemed happy and contented. Much of their learning skills came from the elder women or their mother’s.
4. The men in the tribe ruled. They were the hunters and made all decisions and ordered harsh punishments if their laws were broken. The women cooked, gathered berries and roots and cared for the men and the elder women taught the girls how to obey their men. The elder women would make a suggestion about a problem and the male tribal elders would decide the outcome.
The men sat all together and smoked and talked and the women sat separate with the children. The men did not look after any babies. In Australia today the men are expected to care for their children, to help with bathing, cooking, home-work, school meetings and sport commitments. It’s more of a partnership with shared responsibilities and women who are dominated or abused will terminate the relationship and move on to another partner.
I empathise with the tribe – they were tough hunters yet they gave shelter and food to strangers- non Aboriginal people. Had they had better weapons and joined forces with the other tribes then history may have been different. There was enough land for everyone but the white settlers saw them as wild almost animalistic yet they were a tight knit caring family group whose only real problem was they were black skinned.
WOMEN’S STUDIES 1
CHRIS HICKS
JOURNAL WK1
ALINTA THE FLAME DVD.
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