Misogyny. It is not included
among the most used words of my vocabulary. My usage of it has been so
infrequent that when I got ready to type it, I had to look it up to verify the
spelling. Prior to this year, I don’t think I’d ever seen it in a media
headline. Now, almost every news outlet has covered it.
Looking it up in the online dictionary confirmed the definition of
misogyny as a hatred for and prejudice against women. I get it. I understand why it’s in the headlines. It’s
an ugly and awful thing, especially when it’s used in a sexual context. I believe
things that degrade females, like pornography and sex trafficking, are
deplorable. Granted there are marginalized males in those situations too, but
the majority of the victims are female.
Some of the people talking about misogyny are dismissing it as typical
male behavior. Others are declaring war against it. Considering our given time
in the history of the human race, we’ve come a long way in human and cultural
development. However, it’s 2016 and we’re still using the word misogyny. That means
there are people who still believe that women should be treated with honor and
respect simply because they are women. It also means that there are people who
don’t.
Before news stories included the word misogyny, they included words
like transgender bathrooms. In just a few months, the headlines went from
dismissing gender roles to crying foul when one of those roles was disrespected.
I think these topics were ushered into our headlines because of the upcoming
presidential election. I may not c use the word misogyny much, but the words
confused and perplexed swirl around often when the topic of the election comes
up.
I don’t know, really, what the outcome of this election, either way,
will mean for me as a woman. I don’t know what state the United States will be
in this time next year. I can speculate but I can’t know for sure until we’re
there. But, I do know this: Whatever we, as Americans, have done that’s led us
to where we are now as a nation, confused and perplexed, I simply don’t want to
do that anymore. I want something better. I have hope that there is something
better, something good.
My hope, however, is not in Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. One of
them will be president, but neither of them has the power to save us. Only God
can do that.
“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their
plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose
hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea,
and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of
the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the
Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the
Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the
fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” Psalm
146:3-9
Not only do our presidential candidates lack the power to save us, neither
of them can do what God has called me to do. Even if they wanted to. Even if I
wanted them to. It is my responsibility and mine alone. The way I see it, it
would be futile to expect an office of the earthly government to make God’s
work a priority. God’s directive to care for the world is to Christians, not
government.
As a Christian, He’s called me to be the good in the world, share the
good news. How?
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what
does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Originally posted November 6, 2016 on www.walterborolive.com.
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