12/31/2022
The Amazons were a group of female warriors and hunters who beat men in physical agility and strength, in archery, riding skills, and the arts of combat. Their society was closed for men and they only raised their daughters, either killing their sons or returning them to their fathers, with whom they would only socialize briefly in order to reproduce. (Think Wonder Woman.)
Courageous and fiercely independent, the Amazons, commanded by their queen, regularly undertook extensive military expeditions into the far corners of the world, from Scythia to Thrace, Asia Minor and the Aegean Islands, reaching as far as Arabia and Egypt.[3] Besides military raids, the Amazons are also associated with the foundation of temples and the establishment of numerous ancient cities like Ephesos, Cyme, Smyrna, Sinope, Myrina, Magnesia, Pygela, etc. (and yes, I\’m getting a bit lazy filling up space with Wikepedia prose).
I have chosen to reflect on the Amazons as we are witnessing an extraordinary number of women rising to power in both government, the judiciary, law enforcement, the military, journalism, entertainment, athletics and business. And I for one am all for this influx of the \”fairer sex.\”
In fact, as I composed this attempt, Barbara Walters (Baba Wawa) passed at the age of 93. I never realized what a trailblazer she was and such a force in journalism and entertainment — but I should have (I blame it on SNL). And I would be further delinquent if I didn\’t mention Karen Bass — the first female mayor of Los Angeles. Of course there are many, many more who will take center stage in the days to come. If someone was expecting me to mention Kamala Harris, I\’m sorry, I\’m not a fan — and she could easily become the first women of ethnicity to become president of US (god forbid).
As caretakers and nurturers, the female has much better insight into what will and won\’t work for the species over time. Last I checked, the female still remained 2 years ahead of the male in all measurable aspects of development (physical, emotional, social and so on).
I truly believe that men have made a hash of things — with so much of our energy spent on getting (women?) and spending (on women??) — it really is time to let the female take charge. If the contemporary female becomes like the Amazons of lore — it shouldn\’t take that long. I remember girls and boys being compared on the SAT during the 70s and 80s and being told that boys were superior in math and science while girls were better in English and creative endeavors.
How quickly these socialized myths were dispelled!
I doubt women will rape, pillage and plunder Gaia (the goddess or spirit of life of the earth) like men have. Men have attacked the hand that feeds them — upping the ante since the industrial revolution with the Oil Men. I\’d like to think that female leaders will be more green.
Eve\’s biggest mistake was not tasting the apple — but for sharing it with Adam. Man simply can\’t hand the Truth (the knowledge of good and evil)! The female is much better equipped for weighing these two concepts — after all — she has a larger, heavier brain.
The craziest thing I\’ve heard so far is to drop the \”best\” actor or actress and supporting actor and actress awards and make these awards a gender neutral \”performance award.\” Upon reflection, however, I wonder if this will assist in establishing gender equity.
But now that women have achieved equity in professional sports (at least in soccer) does that mean that their tennis championships will be the best of five sets? And I definitely wonder how long it will be before men begin howling \”Me too!\”??