Out of all the material bandied about yesterday at Blogher, I find myself thinking about the mommy blogging panel the most. Is it a radical act to speak, to describe one's life, when one is in service to others? Do you know what I mean? It might not be, because after all we are mostly white women who are immensely privileged, the people who really do have a voice. I think it's because I was raised (cannot exactly keep saying "we" here, as I have no idea if this is true of anyone else) with feminism infusing everything I did, I figured I would be able to overcome the social forces that affect women with children.
I mean, being aware of something surely makes me exempt, right?
Anyway, I thought about who has "voice" and why, and what, exactly, do mothers with a voice disrupt in this world. What do people think we should be saying? What should we not?
It was mostly the same women who attended the obscenity panel and the mommyblogging panel, which was predictable, I suppose. Is it incongruous that a woman with children would use the word "fucktard" with impugnity? I suppose. What we project on her is that she should be a prim protector of society, and there she is not staying inside the role, but rather being an individual. Incongruous, yes. Also extremely funny.
Interesting that at the mommyblogging panel, at least two people cried while speaking. Having a voice is intensely important. Women's experience can be a savage undercurrent.
Sounds like it was fabulous. Thanks for all the liveblogging; it really was like being there, but from the comfort of my own home and without all that pesky meeting of other people.
Hey-- isn't today your BIRTHDAY??
http://spanglemonkey.typepad.com/nonstop_birthday_party_ex/
Happy Day!
Posted by: elswhere | July 31, 2005 at 09:11 AM
I always thought that the stigma mommybloggers have is totally ridiculous. Why are they seen the way they are? Why is it such a big deal that they are blogging mommies? Let them blog! We all have a voice, no? Granted, if it's like all Kathy Lee Gifford-ish ALL of the time it gets to be tiresome. But when it comes time for me to pop one out, you better be sure I will talk about my experiences.
Posted by: Lisset | July 31, 2005 at 09:13 AM
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
Posted by: badgerbag | July 31, 2005 at 09:27 AM
Aw crap! I totally forgot. Happy Birfday!
Posted by: Lisset | July 31, 2005 at 09:42 AM
Thanks guys! It helps to have friends keeping me company as we hurtle toward the abyss!
Posted by: Jo | July 31, 2005 at 09:47 AM
Don't worry, the weather is fine down here in the abyss.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Keith | July 31, 2005 at 09:58 AM
Happy Happy Birthday to you! To you. Yes You.
Jane
Posted by: impossiblejane | July 31, 2005 at 11:26 AM
I'm so sad I missed mommyblogging after having met everyone at the Obscentiy birds of a feather. having some of the same thoughts, on stigma, "bodyblogging," and service and intimacy that faces both mommybloggers & sexbloggers... great common ground to discover with you all there!
Posted by: Melissa Gira | July 31, 2005 at 01:06 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Melanie | July 31, 2005 at 01:06 PM