Diary14 February 2004, 1:57pm
Valentine’s Day.
Well, well, well. This is certainly a plus. It is not recognized as much of a holiday here. To clarify, I don’t say it is a plus because I loathe the romantic (another discussion on that someday) but rather because it is a depressingly “Hallmark Holiday.” Red and white slathered everywhere. Hearts, Cupids, and doves flitting about. Obnoxious really. And, I see it as the “Proper Gender Roles and Expectations Holiday.” Are you a proper man? Woman? You can find out by examining the questions people ask you about this Holiday.
But, thankfully, I saw no red and white. From what Anja tells me, there is more of an inclination to celebrate March 8. That is international women’s day. Even then, not so much is done. Not by men anyway.
The UN website has a brief deal on it: Women’s Day. Is there anyone else concerned that the timeline covers a mere 8 years, almost 100 years ago? This link: Another Link looks a little more promising. I could not (quickly) find a relevant link for BiH. You get one, be sure to post it in the comments!
Posted by Andrew
Ha ha! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Julio got me a personalized card from Yahoo with him in the shower being attacked by a little plasic shark. Then the inside said something about a love shark attack. I got him heart man socks filled with sugar-free candy.
This is how we proved our love to each other.
Comment by Emmy — February 18, 2004 @ 7:03 pm
It is bizarre that the World Health Organization only chose to write about those few years of ‘Women’s Day’ history on their website. From what I’ve seen of the WHO, they try to keep their material VERY simple but informative. Leaving out 85 years of Women’s history, however, doesn’t seem very informative… In defense of the WHO, they did published this about modern women living in developing countries:
“They… grow most of the developing world’s food, market most of its crops, fetch most of its water, collect most of its fuel, feed most of its animals, weed most of its fields. And when their work outside the home is done, they light the third world’s fires, cook its meals, clean its compounds, wash its clothes, shop for its needs, and look after its old and ill. And they bear and care for its children. The multiple burdens of womanhood are… much.”
There is so much to celebrate about women. We can discover, with or without the help of the WHO, the endless reasons for celebrating women!
This year I will celebrate a 21-year-old client of mine who is putting herself through college to be an elementary school teacher AND working full time to support herself and her 2-year-old daughter. This woman has awed me with casual stories about coping with domestic violence and an unwanted pregnancy. She is a true American hero and her daily efforts as a mother, abuse survivor, and college student are worth celebrating.
Comment by Dana — February 19, 2004 @ 5:23 am
Emmy – you are sweet. What better way to celebrate you love than goofy cards and goofy socks? If this is what valentines day means to you – then Happy Valentines Day!
Comment by Dana — February 19, 2004 @ 5:25 am
Yeah. The WHO isn’t the frist place I ought to turn for info of this sort, but it is what popped up on Google. It might even be a half done page, or not formally linked. WHO knows? Heh. Just thought it was a good point of interest to contrast the Valentine’s Day thing.
Comment by Andrew — February 24, 2004 @ 6:17 pm