Saturday, November 1, 2008

Thanks Heather

Another wonderful article my sister wrote for the U Of U Republican Paper.

Sarah Palin and Motherhood (America needs a mother) by Heather Berg

The recent negative coverage of Sarah Palin is a direct reflection of the negative image of motherhood today. There is this overwhelming mentality that a mother of several children is incapable and crippled in a way. Burdened, weighed down, unqualified. Notice the first attacks against Sarah consisted of McCain’s “irresponsibility” and her “incapability” to play the role in government that she so desires. Just as there is racism and sexism, is there a word to describe the animosity, intolerance, indifference towards and lack of even decent acknowledgment of mothers? The immediate questioning of their intelligence, experience, and judgment is a sure reaction from mainstream media—and Sarah has undoubtedly exposed them through simply playing her role of mother. I mean honestly, who in their right mind would have five children? One of which she welcomed into the world knowing he had downs-syndrome. Who in their sanity would do such a thing? Never mind these are the people who raise up humanity as we know it, or who are the most compassionate members of society as a whole. And never mind the fact that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. And people want to know if she can handle being the vice-President of the United States? She holds generations in her hands every day, raises them, teaches them, loves them, makes them who they are and the filthy media has the “audacity” to question her abilities? If this isn’t making sense to you, please, evaluate your image of mothers and their capabilities. Evaluate yourself.

Now I love Sarah Palin for many reasons. Those who know me know I’m a fan. But beyond the reasons mentioned, I love her because everywhere I look I see mothers whose faces light up when the subject of Sarah is introduced into a conversation. Finally, a common-place mother of five to represent them. They never thought they’d see the day. Someone like them, who embraces femininity over feminism, who wears a burp rag with pride as this is her role and her honor. Someone who thinks that holding a baby on her shoulder doesn’t make her any less capable. That taking care of many children doesn’t make her ignorant, sheltered or “stupid.” Of all the cries in our nation about underrepresentation, lack of credit towards types of individuals, and negative epithets, mothers cry the least although they have every right not to. And why don’t they? Because they’re mothers, they’re the ones who have to mop up the mess when other people cry and there’s a lot of mopping to do these days. Mothers don’t even get the acknowledgment from media in the least that they are being slandered. And quite frankly, I do not see mothers even trying to throw a tantrum over the fallacies against them because they’re so used to taking care of tantrums.

I’m not a mother yet but I feel for Sarah Palin. She's a fierce, brave, yet compassionate woman who isn't afraid to stand for what she believes is right weather or not it is well liked. You could say that she has a mother's intuition. How is the media so sure that a mother in office will fail? We've never had one if I recall. If there is someone out there whose intuition, integrity, honesty and good-nature I trust most, it's a mother. She is someone who has had plenty of experience knowing how to grab someone by the scruff of their neck and set them in their place when they need it. She’s a mother. In person she holds a reputation for a warm presence and a kind demeanor admitted by even her harshest critics. She’s a mother. She can make an uptight crowd laugh and loosen up. She’s a mother. She can make her opponents laugh as she pokes fun jokes at them over a podium. She’s a mother. Her demeanor is comfortable and anything but shrill. She’s a mother. She makes you feel at home while watching her speak. She’s a mother. I don’t care if you do not like her policies. But give her the credit for who she is, more than the person running for office. It’s time that Sarah Palin and those hero’s in society like her gain a little more appreciation and respect in this disgusting world. Perhaps the lack of societies ability to honor motherhood and mothers is the reason we have all the problems we hold today.



1 comment:

Carol and Rudy Benoit said...

Wow! Way to go Heather. Jolene,your sister has got it right. I am grateful someone brought up motherhood in such a positive way. More people need to read that. Thank her for me.

Your cute family looked so good last night. It was a very fun time. I am glad we got to see you all dressed up!