5 comments | Politics is about more than how many officials it takes to screw up policy that may have brightened our future.
We’ve talked before about everyday politics, about how politics is more than elections. It’s about more than whether an official has your best interest in mind, or is just cultivating your next vote. Politics is more than who is protecting what and how. It’s about your everyday choices and who makes them for you.
When George W. Bush was in office he lowered the standards that define what makes organic produce organic. Now, when you slice an organic banana into your morning cereal, you have no idea if it’s as good for you as the organic banana you had a few years ago. When you reach for the paste to brush your teeth, do you stop to question if the tube it comes in is recyclable and why it might not be? Do you wonder who decided fluoride is a good cavity fighter, or if it actually is?
Any time individuals or groups make decisions for other groups, it is political. Whether in government, agriculture, education or banking - we find a common divide between those with the power to limit or expand our choices, and those of us who must decide amongst the options someone else provides.
At our recent Meet & Greet between 51%-A Woman’s Place Is In Politics and San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore, the Sheriff provided printed pamphlets on crime prevention. We were struck by the various safety tips earmarked for women to protect themselves from purse snatching. We think these tips relate to the fashion industry, which limits the practicality of feminine clothing options in such a way that forces women to use purses.
More by Tryce and Lisa: Let’s think outside of the box | A request for new dialogue and new vocabulary | Realizing when change is good | Combating violence against women
Obviously, if we could keep personal belongings close to our body they’d be harder to steal. Have you noticed that women’s clothing rarely has pockets and when they do they’re impossibly shallow? Because women’s clothing doesn’t accommodate the need to carry items, women must chose between wearing men’s clothing, which have plentiful pockets, or carrying a purse, which invites victimization.
Furthermore, by subtracting pockets from the majority of women’s clothing, the fashion world has created a profitable industry of handbags. We all know that women make less than men for the same work. Now we also get to pay more to simply carry the few things we can afford to own. It’s as if the fashion industry has contributed to the easy victimization of women.
And, why do women stand for it? Why do women allow an industry driven by profit to dictate dress and accessories? Why aren’t there massive protests to demand efficient clothing? How many women further the joke in craving the status symbol of a designer bag? Haven’t women noticed that the joke is on them?
A population refusing to succumb to the limits created for them is a population engaged in politics. Political uprisings are a rising up from the bottom. It may seem trite, but the historic protest from Coca-Cola drinkers when the recipe for coke was going to change was an act of politics.
Surely women could protest the connection between clothing and our being targets for mugging. Surely we could take it farther and protest broader issues as well. If only as many folks cared about issues like homelessness and the increased number of food bank users, as they do for the single taste of a canned liquid, then we may all be sipping soda with a full belly in our own homes.
Obviously, politics is a dance between what politicians do to protect our choices, and what choices we demand be protected. If the population at large doesn’t profess they need something, it’s unlikely anyone will act to provide that need is met. If we don’t engage our ability to speak up, our needs may be known but overlooked. If someone else is profiting from our needs not being met, it is sure to go unchecked until our demands are heard.
When the push is strong enough, even those in power usually give in and provide change. In this case, it could be pocket change.
Tryce Czyczynska & Lisa N. Sanders are the founders of 51%
Tags: bill gore, san diego crime, san diego purses, SDNN, women's clothing san diego
Comment by: Vic Posted: November 18, 2009, 10:04 am
Recent studies have shown that 99% of womens’ shoe designers are misogynists. The other 1% were computer-designed.
You’re right; pockets are political. So is patronizing tailors to create individuated clothing to suit the needs of everyday life. Lead, and the fashion-fashoffs will follow.
Comment by: sara Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:33 pm
Give me a break. Lesbians might hate purses, but the rest of us like to carry our stuff. We don’t want pockets that make our behinds look any bigger than they are. But of course we are not lesbians.
Comment by: Toni Posted: November 19, 2009, 5:07 pm
I appreciate the point behind this piece and how women are further victimized by the “fashion” industry. We need to become more aware of how simple things, such as a purse, can open us up to becoming targets.
I do not appreciate Sara’s comment though. This is a piece about women empowering themselves, and the comment that was left is trying to divide and pigeonhole women. You don’t have to be a lesbian to appreciate pockets. You don’t have to be a straight woman adore purses.
It’s food for thought, not an invitation for disparaging comments. The women of 51% are simply trying to further educate their sisters… and brothers.
Comment by: tryce czyczynska Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:03 pm
Oh Sara. Obviously you haven’t met me, I’m as femme as they get and constantly carry a bag. I especially love my vintage clutches! And, you don’t want a bigger looking behind? Are you saying you’re white, dear, cuz it’s usually only the white girls that want an adolescent shape. But, I don’t wanna fall in the trap you have, of stereotypes that are so old and worn we can see right through ‘em. Tsk, tsk.
Comment by: richandcreamy Posted: December 30, 2009, 11:53 am
I’m actually disturbed by lack of pockets for women’s clothing. As a guy that uses 4-5 pockets at once I’d hate to be forced to use a bag to carry my essentials.