Feminist

I read an article this evening that was about the protest outside of LDS general conference. A group of women has decided to protest outside of conference because they do not have the ability to hold the priesthood. The article was written by a women who comes from a very privileged background. Ironic. She stated that she doesn't think that women are treated differently because of their gender......
Well, let me give you a few examples of situations that I have found myself in that very clearly proves her statement wrong.

-When I was 6 months pregnant I was passed up for a promotion because of my "condition"
-When I was 7 months pregnant, I pulled my boss aside to discuss with him an issue that was affecting my work performance and I was told that I was being emotional.
-I went to old navy to return some clothes and when I complained that I wasn't able to have the money refunded because it was a gift, the comment was made to me, "I hate pregnant women"
-When my husband was hired at our old job, he was hired on for more than I made at the time after several annual raises. Mind you, he had NO collections experience.

These are very cut and dry examples of discrimination I have faced for my gender. While I won't go into my feelings about the priesthood and the religious portion of her blog, I find this woman very ignorant for thinking that these aren't real issues woman face on a daily basis. I would hate to hear her thoughts on racism.

My biggest struggle was that this woman did not recognize her privilege before making blanket statements. I can't very well say that I have faced racism because I am white. I can't very well say that I have faced poverty because I live in a middle class neighborhood. I can't very well say that I have faced disability because I am able bodied.

What I hope you take away from my entry, if anything, is that before we make statements, lets check our privilege.

Prisoner of Hope

Do you ever have moments of deep reflection? This morning I woke up from a really strange dream and immediately felt this overwhelming sense of wonderment at my life. Did I make the right decisions? What if I had made a few decisions a little differently? I blame the show Cosmos for my sudden sense of curiosity about my life decisions.
When I was 18 I had ideas about how my life would turn out and this path was one I never could have imagined. In fact, I vividly remember thinking that I would end up in Oregon as a famous painter and activist. I remember thinking that I would eat all organic, live off of my own garden, essentially join a commune, experiment with different types of meditation and probably smoke a lot of weed.
I accomplished a few of those things but not all. Sometimes I wish I could look through a lens and see what my life would be like had I become that person. When I reflect on my life I feel like I'm looking through a kaleidoscope and I love it. To say that I've enjoyed everything I've done would be an understatement. I have loved fully and been broken by that same love. I have created life. I have lived out of my car for a period of time. I have traveled and lived somewhere beyond my motherland that is Utah. I have seen the beauty of the country that has entangled my heart and mind with its long branches.
The best part is, that it's not over and now I get to introduce this beautiful life and world to my daughter whose eyes are so full of hope and wonder. I have so many dreams for her and hope so much that the world as we know it changes so she never has to face discrimination for her sexual identity, gender, or religion.  I hope that she too, becomes a prisoner of hope so that one day we can all live in equality.
For now, I will wrap my arms around this life I have created and embrace every little detail that I love so much about the here and now. This moment happens to be one of my favorites. A small, sweet hand wrapped around a toy that is so simple yet so beautiful in her eyes.