Concerning women as "victims..." of their femininity (an alternative, and sort of funny argument)

[Writer]

You can take this OP one of two ways: a) An alternative presentation of why women should embrace the reality that is sexism and fight onward, or b) Laugh hysterically at one of the funniest consumer letters written.

So here's what I postulate by posting this. I've got to ask: Is this woman being a victim by saying that having her period is unpleasant? Or should she grin and bear it - not play the victim - and pretend that the condescending note that Always decided to stamp on their maxi pads is just "silliness?"

And, yes, I'm referring to the issue of whether Hillary Clinton is playing a victim when her campaign points out examples of sexism in the media. Are we ignoring the elephant in the room (sexism) because of the campaign season?

((My apologies to greenbriar in the Lounge, from whose OP I stole this letter.))


Written by a woman in Austin, Texas:

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the Leak Guard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from the curse'? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills. Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior . You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend
Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy!

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you fu*ing kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness -- actual smiling, laughing happiness is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong', or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flexi-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always....

Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

[NanceGreggs]

1. OMG!

I just got this from my sister - sans spit warning. When I got to "Put down the hammer," I totally lost it.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[bain_sidhe]

2. dying here...

oh, teh funny, it hurts...

[bigbrother05]

3. ..

survivor instead of victim:rofl:

[Writer]

4. Is a person a survivor when the she continues to face the same problem in different forms?

Or is she a fighter if she actually raises her voice and says something?

Like this woman with her funny letter?

[bigbrother05]

5. IMHO, if she approaches them the same way

then she is a fighter.

[Writer]

7. You know what I think? I think we need to start fighting again.

True feminism is a lost art. Out with the Manolo's - in with equality, I say.

[bigbrother05]

8. I never stopped

[eridani]

6. An old bumpersticker--

--I have PMS and a handgun!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. Saying your period is unpleasant is REALITY.

It doesn't mean she's a victim. It just means her body is fucking her over, and that's reality. A lot of women are disabled and bedridden for up to three or four days every month, thirteen times a year, and our society makes NO ACCOMMODATION for that temporary disability. We're supposed to suck it up and act like we're not completely wiped out with fatigue and horrendous pain, not to mention wondering if we're bleeding to death.

There were many times I went to work, pale as a ghost, barely able to walk, and wondering if I was going to pass out cold at work, and I couldn't do a damn thing to take off work and go home and rest like I needed to. I can take Advil till I'm blue in the face for the pain, but that still won't get rid of the major fatigue. The major fatigue absolutely flattens you, kinda like getting the flu.

That's our sick, hateful, non-compassionate macho society. Women are supposed to act like men, or they are seen as weak.

There are countries in the far east that have menstrual leave for women workers. I think that would be a damn good idea.

[Berry Cool]

10. The thing about periods is that they are so different from woman to woman.

I know women like the ones described will probably want to murder me with an axe just for saying it, but I have never had the overarching pain and agony that some women describe. Nor the frantic nasty mood swings. I think the worst thing is the overwhelming urge to eat anything that even remotely resembles chocolate.

One of my sisters recorded the recent SNL fake commercial for "Annuale," "the pill that lets you get your period only once a year." We were watching it and it was hysterical, because the joke was that you only get it once a year, but when you do, you're such a homicidal maniac they practically have to put you in lockup. I laughed, but I really couldn't relate to it.

I've often said, if it weren't for the draggy feeling in the nether regions and the blood, I'd never know I was having the thing.