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| Blogs > spiritwoman45 > Life in the Canyon |
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Stereotypes A comment from Roxy brought this subject to mind. I have defied stereotypes all of my life. When I was young in the 50’s and 60’s I was an attractive little blond with big boobs BUT – I operated farm equipment, was athletic, raced cars, rode motorcycles, managed to keep up with the best sharp shooters etc. I went to college, graduated and had a career earning as much and often more than the men in my life. Then came the earliest wave of feminism. I burned my bra, took to the streets spent considerable energy protesting One day I was shopping with my mother and tried on a sun dress with considerable cleavage. My mother, who was the anthesis of the female stereotype, surprised me by liking it and telling me “You have to use what you have”. That got me thinking. My biggest aggravation was fighting the “dumb blond” image. Looking at it from the new perspective. Use it rather than fight it. I could spend the next year telling of incidents where I used dumb blond to get in doors that would have been otherwise closed, get away with things and get me in a good position to best use my abilities. Sometimes people realized what I was doing, sometimes not but I knew and enjoyed the joke as did my friends and family. The men in my life loved to watch me in action. In many situations I was ultimately successful in doing my part to prove the stereotype wrong by demonstrating female competence and was able to open doors for other women. That contributed more than chanting, marching and going braless. Once I was in the position I wanted I made sure everyone recognized that a woman was doing the job. When I drove an 18 wheeler with my husband I often wore skirts or dresses. When I was in a management position I began wearing pink, having everything down to my computer, planner and brief case in pink to make a statement that I was doing a man’s job but I was doing it as a woman, not a male clone. Now that I am just shy of 70 it’s even better. I use the old, dumb blond card in the same manner. Hardly true. I still drive sports cars, ride on motorcycles, learned to operate a bulldozer for my 69th birthday, have a spiritual practice and run a business. Unfortunately, we have to make the team before we can change the game. Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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A very amusing summation, I enjoyed reading it. Alfie...
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10/1/2014 4:58 pm |
I did take the smarts to stay there and get ahead but as I said at the end of the have to make the team before you can change the game. Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 5:00 pm |
Playing the dumb blonde works for me. Actually, it makes it easier, whatever I'm doing. I approach my "adversary" as Columbo, or Matlock, would do (asking questions as if I didn't understand the problem), and always win for my client. But I'm a triple threat ... blonde, boobs and southern accent. Much easier than fighting the stereotype. I spent over 15 years doing that. All I got was a bloody head (beating it against a wall). However, I did have one boyfriend that wouldn't ever buy it, when I tried it on him. LOL Of course, he was, what my grandmother would call, a "yankee."  And she did warn me about them when I was little!  Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 5:02 pm |
Humm - I don't know what we could call you. If you add your professional stuff and church activities we could call you an earth mother who cares for all. Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 5:04 pm |
Whatever turns your crank.....personally, I have refused to compromise my integrity and authenticity for the sake of fitting in or to ease the way ........ Spiritwoman ^i^
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People might have thought you were a dumb blonde but you showed them you were a smart dumb blonde  
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10/1/2014 5:07 pm |
A very amusing summation, I enjoyed reading it. Alfie... Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 5:09 pm |
Thanks. The new pic is one I am gathering for my new project. Getting ready to take the show on the road. Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 5:11 pm |
People might have thought you were a dumb blonde but you showed them you were a smart dumb blonde Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 5:12 pm |
What an amusing read as usual. Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 6:29 pm |
Thank you - yes. I am trying to get a better photo that shows the real me. as well as includes some of my work. My son took this one in the back yard of my house in my meditation garden / sanctuary. He likes it as much as I do and is doing a great job of keeping it up in my absence. I hadn't tried any serious photos in over 5 years. Spiritwoman ^i^
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Shall I simply say that the 'dumb blonde' you are talking about is highly adorable for all she did and achieved, SpiritGirl !!  Be just the way you are - have a nice evening and wake up to a great day!!  "To fight the darkness do not draw your sword, light a candle" - Zarathustra
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10/1/2014 8:42 pm |
Shall I simply say that the 'dumb blonde' you are talking about is highly adorable for all she did and achieved, SpiritGirl !! Be just the way you are - have a nice evening and wake up to a great day!! Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/1/2014 10:53 pm |
I will be happy to if you insist but I kind of like it. It adds an interesting touch of fun and funny. Spiritwoman ^i^
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10/2/2014 8:52 am |
Definitely - we need more real and fun stuff. Spiritwoman ^i^
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