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The Irony of the G.I. Jane Joke
Enough of Women And Children Attitudes
Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine reminded us of the oft-used phrase we tend to employ during conflict.
Women and Children First
This maritime phrase was supposed to be used when a ship was sinking to make sure the women and children aboard were saved first. With the exception of the Titanic, it wasn’t really employed in real life. Most of the time it was every man for himself that prevailed.
Yet today, every time people are in peril, we move quickly to save the women and children.
There are even websites about how you can help the women and children in the war.
I get it when it comes to kids. Children are not typically able to fight for themselves. We have numerous laws to protect kids from the awful behavior of some adults. We should keep and strengthen such laws.
But putting women in the same category as children? Is that the message we want to give our daughters?
This same type of unconscious thinking was abuzz when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after his G.I. Jane joke.
“Good for Will! He stood up or his woman,” is a common refrain on social media. Many of my closest and dearest friends clapped for Will Smith’s…
