As we enter the celebration of Women’s History Month, it is well to remember that their journey to a genuine and full partnership in our world is still a work in progress. The latest laws and court decisions about women tend to take what would be their right to privacy, particularly in areas of gestation and childbirth, and politicize them to extinction.
Yet the journey to equality has come a long way from the original cultural foundations of our civilization. Women in a variety of roles have asserted themselves with increasing force and in many cases succeeded in making space for their world view in our social and cultural value system.
The gradual ascension of women into America and the world’s power structure continues to be full of hazards. That is because every gain in their journey comes at the symbolic expense of men.
The current culture wars in the United States lumps women and minority interests together which is also problematic. That is because while the dynamics of ethnic and racial advocacy can be accommodated within the historical cycle of a civilization, the drive for the predominance of women in a world run by men cannot.
In a sense, this is ironic as the very notion, nature and structure of a civilization was originated by women. One of the ancient mythical journeys associated with the concept is the search and reconstruction by the Egyptian goddess Isis of her dismembered brother and husband Osiris done so that the world, time and the civilization could begin again.
Much closer to us is the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden and why she and Adam had to leave. The Garden of Eden was an extension of God’s timeless abode where unity reigned and differentiation did not exist. That type of existence changed when she dared to eat from the Tree of Knowledge and by doing so became aware of her intellect, time and differentiation with her opposite Adam. The use of the fig leaf was an attempt to hide the discovered differ- ences between male and female among other things.
The introduction of time and differentiation was incompatible with the timeless world of the Garden of Eden. Therefore Eve and Adam had to leave, “come down to earth,” and begin the journey that created a civilization.
As we can see, one of the fundamental characteristics of a civilization comes from the discovery of differentiation between male and female. These “opposites” were followed by a multitude of similar concepts (IE good-evil) that dominate our perspective on the human condition.
Because of the foundational origins of male-female dynamics, the outcomes in the long run are much more significant than those associated with national cultures and identity. The epic quality of the battle between male and female interests is in the realm of the universal.
It is true that women are fighting for what they represent under the shadow of a mostly male dominated world. At the same time, that factor is what makes the battle for women’s rights so far reaching.
The celebration of Women’s History Month offers a golden opportunity to rethink the scope and magnitude of the conflict for women’s rights because that struggle is not only about making space for that perspective, but also of changing our orientation from a masculine to a feminine set. In other words, this is a fight for the ages.
Women gave us a civilization. Now it is time to think about them owning their invention.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of la Voz bilingüe. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
