a question for women

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:15 pm

Excellent post, Tom. The only thing I disagree with is your assessment of "snide."

You may be right, I may be wrong, on our interpretations of Anne-Marie's remark. However, when I say "here," I don't refer to the Forum, at all, but to a generalized attitude in the U.S. regarding this particular aspect of being female. It's generally not something that's embraced, but tolerated, if not outright disdained. I don't share in this negative perspective; however, I feel I recognize it when I see it, and definitely took Anne-Marie's comment as not being snide toward the question asked or Sandra, but simply her own attitude toward the process itself. Anne-Marie's comment is very representative of a common attitude here [in the U.S.], even the one that prevails. It is added to by a sense of embarrassment about the whole thing ~ something to be hidden, something to not be mentioned in mixed company, something reviled and that attitude itself revealing a kind of repression. Age does make a difference in both the perspective and how it's expressed. This is something that feminists have written poems about, affirming poems that encourage women to embrace the whole of themselves. In some crucial ways, the United States is not as 'open' as Europe.

Love,
Elizabeth

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:34 pm

From Anna Frank´s diary:

Thursday, 29 October, 1942
Anne tells Kitty that she is worried about Daddy, who has a fever and a
rash, which looks like measles. They cannot call a doctor because they
are in hiding. All of Mrs. Van Daan's possessions have been taken out
of her home, and no one has told her because they do not want to hear
her moaning about it, since they had to leave all of their things too.
Anne reads a book that mentions prostitution, and she says that she would die of shame. She writes that she longs to have her period. Mummy is making her pray with her, and while Anne finds the prayers beautiful, she does not like to be pious just to oblige.
This was on Wednesday, 5 January, 1944, not the 2nd.
Mummy has said that she thinks of her daughters as friends, but Anne
writes that a friend cannot take a mother's place. She loves what is
happening to her body, and her period, which is her "sweet secret." She
remembers a time that she had an urge to kiss a girl friend who was
sleeping over, and to feel her breasts. She longs for a girl friend.

tom.d.stiller · Post by **tom.d.stiller** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:29 am

Thank you, Sandra, for bringing Anne Frank with you.

You resisted the temptation of "an eye for an eye". You brought along an interesting gift instead.

I couldn't resist the temptation to come back to this thread. Maybe you yourself gave the best answer to your initial question. Make her a present of Anne's diary!

One cannot be too young to read that. At least not if there are caring people like you around who'll gladly discuss all questions that might arise from reading.

Cheers
tom

PS: Now I'm gone for good (from this thread, not from this forum, I'm afraid...)

Young dr. Freud · Post by **Young dr. Freud** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:43 pm

Dear Patients,

Allow me.

Anne-Marie is not a woman. Anne-Marie is "someone else."

Do I really have to explain it all again?

YdF

mara · Post by **mara** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:44 pm

Yes, please explain it to me, again.

To the topic, I wouldn't give Anne Frank's diary to your niece.
I read it in school when I was 12 and I didn't like it then. I thought it was boring. But perhaps that's just me.
My best friend got a necklace with a monnstone, Ithink that's very beautiful for this occasion.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:25 pm

That's a beautiful and very appropriate idea, Mara. Including Anne Frank's Diary would be appropriate, as well, for this and many other reasons. This is the perfect age to become aware of the Holocaust through the eyes of someone your 'same' age. Of course, having to read the book in school versus reading it because your aunt gave it to you can bring an entirely different perspective before the book is even opened.

Welcome to the Forum, Mara

.

~ Lizzytysh

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:05 am

Hey Lizzy~

Hasn't Mara got the greatest avatar?

~ Linda.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:56 am

I made my remark to you directly, Mara. Just in another thread. That seals it. I'm on the look out for an avatar. I've been doing that off and on for a while, so I don't expect my efforts to bear fruit this time, either. But, I can look.

Linda.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:09 am

As a matter of fact, Linda, it's the one thing I'd meant to mention and forgot. It reminds me of Ania's Unveiled.....except, it would be Ania Unveiled

. Yes, I thought that to myself when I saw it.....I really like that avatar. The danger would be in people expecting me to actually look that way

. What a buildup

. What a letdown

.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:40 am

It reminded me of Ania as well. And I have thought of the serious 'ups and downs' of such an avatar. If we don't look like that on the outside, maybe we do on the inside. In which case, it represents our true selves and is fair game.

Linda.

Insanitor · Post by **Insanitor** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:21 am

Yes Linda

Just like mine.....

PS Everytime I see you on the boards (which is a lot) I start singing the chorus from a song by an Australian band....

"Lakeside, lakeside, lakeside
Steal away, hide away
Lakeside, lakeside, lakeside
I just can't wait, I just can't wait"

Australian Crawl

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:56 am

Yes, I can't help myself from bursting into song when I see you about the board, either.

Linda.

Insanitor · Post by **Insanitor** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:25 am

sorry, I didn't mean any offense.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:52 am

I know you didn't darlin', that's why I never take any from you. Offense that is.

Linda.

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:42 pm

Lizzie - I can so understand what you mean about choosing a avatar that in no way shape or form resembles the person. I would rather opt for something closer to my actual form otherwise I would be loath to meet anyone from the board for fear of misrepresentation.

I don't wear make up for the same reason some people wear make up as a mask I prefer to see the natural face of someone that way it doesn't come as a shock when they take it off. I know so many people who have to put the slap on just to get a pint of milk from the supermarket.

But each to their own