Discrimination Comes in All Forms

Last week this country had a historical event. Well actually it was only half historical. President Obama was sworn in as the first person of color to hold the post. But wait, he is actually bi-racial so it was only half historical. Lets fact it, he is light skinned and doesn't look like a conventional black man so the uptight caucasian population was more comfortable with him. When this country manages to elect a totally African American with dark skin, then we will know we have truly arrived at equality, at least concerning race. With women it is another matter.

Applying the same concepts of electing Barack to electing a woman, it would appear that for a woman to be president she would have to be only half woman. What would this look like? Transvestite, transexual, lesbian? Maybe we should consider running Ellen Degeneres. I think Portia de Rossi would bring a certain style to the White House. Or maybe the country would be satisifed with an outwardly straight woman who does girls on the side. I am sure the media would manage to leak that secret.

Which brings me to the hidden discrimination. I am referring the attitude toward women over 45. It would appear from my many converstaions with people under 40 that hitting the 50 year old mark means that you are pretty much done for. I am a 51 year old woman who is reasonably slim and attractive. I dress in a contemporary fashion. Now this is not a euphemism for dressing slutty or like a sixteen year old. It means that I take bits of current fashion and add them to my wardrobe as appropriate. if anyone would read the magazine "More" they would know what I am talking about. However, this wonderful magazine is aimed at women over 40 so I'm sure many people put it in the AARP pile. My major pet peeve is when woman, usually in the early 30s range tell my that I "look good for my age". They actually mean this as a compliment. The "looking good" part is fine but my quibble is with the "for my age". This implies that women of 50 should look old and frumpy. They should be a cross between Edith Bunker and June Cleaver. I always envision someone overweight, short hair that they keep that way because it "is so easy" wearing stretch pants and sensible shoes. I'm not there. I expecially loved it when an extremely everweight woman who takes no care with her appearnave told me she hopes she looks as good as "you do at your age". I have news for her, that would take a miracle becuase you don't look as good as I do at this age. There is a totally condescending tone to this whole conversation. I am not over the hill and my best years are ahead of me.

AT 50 years old, I am comfortable with myself, have a certain wisdom that comes with age. I am able to see not in black and white but in all of the shades of gray in between. I think I look better than I did when I was younger. I have interesting planes to my face and know how to emphasize my best features. Younger men appreciate me and older men run from me. But that is a topic for another day.