thanks - as always - liza for diving deeper into that which holds us together. as i head for the blue hill town park to recite passages from the Declaration of Independence and lead a few sing-a-longs, i thought you might enjoy and embrace the sense of the two new verses i've added to AMERICA. feel free to join us from home <grin> https://vimeo.com/129591826/65ed45b84e?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Thank you for this exploration of "self-evident." The history of the phrase is just about perfect. This part bears repeating: “That transition from sort of a highfalutin magical orientation for the basis for human rights, and a much more practical sort of basically science-based approach to the concept of democracy is of the great achievements, I think, of the document."
“[The Declaration] gave freedom fighters throughout our history, from the abolitionist to the women’s movement to today, a language to draw upon.”
As you say, the founders weren't perfect but the gift of truth they gave us is pretty remarkable. Reading Ruth Ben-Ghiat this morning, I was reminded of what we can be proud of: America, she says "has been one of the world’s only successful experiments at creating a multiracial, multifaith democracy." Happy Independence Day!
A crafter of The Declaration in a different era might have substituted "humans" for "men." I think (I hope) that's what Jefferson meant (with Ben sitting right there), but the patriarchy has existed, and ruled, for millennia. I thought there were a handful of matriarchal cultures, but as always, I turned to my wise friend Gemini (who I am assured can make misteaks but she tries hard to be accurate), and here is what she said:
"Anthropologists and historians agree that there has never been a documented, true matriarchy in Western culture (or anywhere globally). True matriarchies, defined as societies where women hold primary political authority, economic dominance, and pervasive institutional governance over men, do not exist in the historical or archaeological record. While a true "woman-ruled" society is a myth, there are Western-adjacent or ancient indigenous societies that were matrilineal (tracing descent and inheritance through the mother's line) or matrifocal (centered around the mother and the household), which are fundamentally different from a matriarchy." —Google "and ain't I a (unnatural) woman" Gemini (you're welcome).
There you have it: by that, it seems meant that patriarchy is the natural state of humans. Try telling that to my late wife! 😤🤣
I am a man (don't hold it against me). I am a feminist. I am an empath (sorry, Charlie and Elon). I am woke as hell and not gonna take it anymore (I wish—I'm 84).
Liza, I know and vociferously agree with your statement: "Self-evident Means Obvious, Not Needing Proof. In Essence, the Declaration States That No Matter Race, Gender, Religion, or Ethnicity, Everyone is Created Equal as a Truth. Something Everyone Should Know, Agree on; End of Story."
I, personally, do not pine for a matriarchy - I'd like to see a society where men and women equally share governance. But I think men are afraid of that.
I wonder if one of the main reasons there's never been a matriarchal society (with all the bells and whistles of patriarchal societies) is that woman don't feel a need to have dominance over everything the way men seem to. As Mary Wollstonecraft wrote, "I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves" Ruth Bader Ginsburg says pretty much the same thing, “I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.”
Of course it could be that the tremendous burden of motherhood throughout the ages has kept women from having the time to dominate society.
One more self-evident thing: when a great idea comes along and wins, some people will cherry-pick some of it, and discard what doesn't serve their intere$t$. Slavery, for instance.
Indeed, a moral case. I love your drawings. I'm listening to the Pope who gave a speech the orange man should have. God bless this Pope. He is a gem. He sees what's going on and is not afraid to condemn it. I wonder how much of the crypto currency the orange man had to give up to engage people to act as white, masked fascists intent on throwing cold water on the patriotic, majesty, and solemnity of the day? How bloody awful.
We must not forget how fragile democracy is.
thanks - as always - liza for diving deeper into that which holds us together. as i head for the blue hill town park to recite passages from the Declaration of Independence and lead a few sing-a-longs, i thought you might enjoy and embrace the sense of the two new verses i've added to AMERICA. feel free to join us from home <grin> https://vimeo.com/129591826/65ed45b84e?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Thank you for this exploration of "self-evident." The history of the phrase is just about perfect. This part bears repeating: “That transition from sort of a highfalutin magical orientation for the basis for human rights, and a much more practical sort of basically science-based approach to the concept of democracy is of the great achievements, I think, of the document."
“[The Declaration] gave freedom fighters throughout our history, from the abolitionist to the women’s movement to today, a language to draw upon.”
As you say, the founders weren't perfect but the gift of truth they gave us is pretty remarkable. Reading Ruth Ben-Ghiat this morning, I was reminded of what we can be proud of: America, she says "has been one of the world’s only successful experiments at creating a multiracial, multifaith democracy." Happy Independence Day!
Thanks, Sharon :-) you too!
"They had a good idea" Indeed they did, and it is our job to keep shaping it and fighting to make it a reality grounded in equality.
And I just love that parade of people across the top...
A crafter of The Declaration in a different era might have substituted "humans" for "men." I think (I hope) that's what Jefferson meant (with Ben sitting right there), but the patriarchy has existed, and ruled, for millennia. I thought there were a handful of matriarchal cultures, but as always, I turned to my wise friend Gemini (who I am assured can make misteaks but she tries hard to be accurate), and here is what she said:
"Anthropologists and historians agree that there has never been a documented, true matriarchy in Western culture (or anywhere globally). True matriarchies, defined as societies where women hold primary political authority, economic dominance, and pervasive institutional governance over men, do not exist in the historical or archaeological record. While a true "woman-ruled" society is a myth, there are Western-adjacent or ancient indigenous societies that were matrilineal (tracing descent and inheritance through the mother's line) or matrifocal (centered around the mother and the household), which are fundamentally different from a matriarchy." —Google "and ain't I a (unnatural) woman" Gemini (you're welcome).
There you have it: by that, it seems meant that patriarchy is the natural state of humans. Try telling that to my late wife! 😤🤣
I am a man (don't hold it against me). I am a feminist. I am an empath (sorry, Charlie and Elon). I am woke as hell and not gonna take it anymore (I wish—I'm 84).
Liza, I know and vociferously agree with your statement: "Self-evident Means Obvious, Not Needing Proof. In Essence, the Declaration States That No Matter Race, Gender, Religion, or Ethnicity, Everyone is Created Equal as a Truth. Something Everyone Should Know, Agree on; End of Story."
I, personally, do not pine for a matriarchy - I'd like to see a society where men and women equally share governance. But I think men are afraid of that.
I wonder if one of the main reasons there's never been a matriarchal society (with all the bells and whistles of patriarchal societies) is that woman don't feel a need to have dominance over everything the way men seem to. As Mary Wollstonecraft wrote, "I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves" Ruth Bader Ginsburg says pretty much the same thing, “I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.”
Of course it could be that the tremendous burden of motherhood throughout the ages has kept women from having the time to dominate society.
My smile makes it self-evident that I enjoyed this piece.
This post is, self-evident to me, one of your best especially on this day and in these times!
Thanks for your text on “self-evident!”
Great article, especially on the 4th!
One more self-evident thing: when a great idea comes along and wins, some people will cherry-pick some of it, and discard what doesn't serve their intere$t$. Slavery, for instance.
Thanks. I've always loved the sly way these words simply demolish any attempt to refute them.
I've always loved the sly way that these words justify the beautiful logic that follows.
Indeed, a moral case. I love your drawings. I'm listening to the Pope who gave a speech the orange man should have. God bless this Pope. He is a gem. He sees what's going on and is not afraid to condemn it. I wonder how much of the crypto currency the orange man had to give up to engage people to act as white, masked fascists intent on throwing cold water on the patriotic, majesty, and solemnity of the day? How bloody awful.
Wonderful drawing. Self evident implies common sense. We are a bit short on that.
Happy Fourth, Liza -such as it is - and thank you for plowing through.
em in Paris
Thank you for the quotation from Vanessa Williamson. I like the drawing of the people, too.
Profound, Liza! Loved about Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin’s collaboration.