Posted on 06/19/2015 9:23:27 AM PDT by Kaslin
With the announcement this week by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew that there will be a woman on the $10 bill, I found myself daydreaming about all the new equality that will presumably come with such a historic and meaningful honor.
Because, surely, with all the current economic problems we're attempting to solve -- a still unstable job market, widening income inequality, rising poverty -- the United States government wouldn't waste its valuable time on some kind of empty symbolic gesture. Surely, putting a woman on a U.S. banknote will be an important step forward for gender equality and advancing women's rights, with a tangible, measurable return on investment, so to speak.
Sorry to be sarcastic, but I just can't summon the excitement to celebrate something so trivial and, in a way, insulting to women.
The idea that putting a historically important woman -- like Hillary Clinton's choice, Harriet Tubman, or Nancy Pelosi's choice, Frances Perkins -- on the $10 bill is a gift of some sort is setting the bar pretty low. Especially for feminists, who you'd think would be pretty wary of these kinds of symbolic giveaways that look more like appeasement than action.
The movement to put a woman on U.S. currency has been pushed forward by a group called Women On 20s. According to its website, the organization "aims to compel historic change by convincing President Obama that now is the time to put a woman's face on our paper currency" -- namely, by kicking Andrew Jackson off the $20 bill.
Alas, not only must women settle for the $10; the Treasury Department also has stated that "the image of Alexander Hamilton will remain part of the $10 note." How's that for historic, substantive change? As feminist Heather Landy pointed out on Quartz, "Of course they couldn't just give a woman her own note, right? She can just share it." And, she added, referring to the oft-cited but not entirely accurate liberal talking point that women make less than men for equal work, "While we're at it, why doesn't the government just give women a 78-cent note and call it a dollar?"
I always thought feminism had a pretty complicated relationship with capitalism. Just two years ago, feminist Nancy Fraser wrote critically that feminists had in fact grown too comfortable with capitalism. She fretted that the women's lib movement "has become entangled in a dangerous liaison with neoliberal efforts to build a free-market society," and lamented that feminists who once "criticized a society that promoted careerism" now "celebrates female entrepreneurs."
Why, after decades of complaining that our American economic system is oppressive, male-organized, unfair and broken, are modern feminists now begging to be featured on its most famous symbol?
Moreover, what good are symbols in confronting reality? Putting a woman on the $10 bill has nothing to do with ending domestic violence, for example, or with preventing college rape. It won't change the difficulties a woman faces balancing work and home life.
If only that were the case.
I'm sure in Nigeria, women would gladly trade in their spot on the 50 naira note for the right not to be legally assaulted by their husbands. And I imagine Chadian women would relinquish their spot on various franc notes for a higher literacy rate.
Or in the Bahamas, where it's legal for a husband to sexually assault his wife if she is over the age of 14, I doubt they'd say having the Queen of England on their banknotes has vastly improved their position in society.
Women in our own country face actual injustices every day, too. Glancing at Frances Perkins on the $10 bill as I quickly pass it to a cashier won't do much to solve them. Aim higher, gals.
I’m still pushing for Aunt Esther. :-)
there must be some quid pro quo going on for this "change" being suggested......just like changing the military uniforms....look for the greased palm....
if they do put a woman on the $10 bill and its someone I don't like, I will not use them nor carry them....
Hedy Lamarr. Brains, beauty, and helped the war effort.
I say we petition the White House to put Monica Lewinski on the ten-spot.
Get real. That’s not a woman. Grrrrr
it's about race...which is how we wound up with that cra**y statue of MLK in the capital (where it doesn't belong) and a Federal holiday and a black month....etc etc.
I like her
This administration from Obama on down are all about “in your face” you damn conservatives. I expect them to use this to create further division, outrage, and anger among conservatives. I predict, and I hope I am wrong, that they will put Margaret Sanger on the ten dollar bill. They will sell her as a advocate of women’s rights, and not the racist, eugenicist, proponent of abortion that she was. This group in Washington is determined to destroy our culture, our political system, and the country. No way will they put a wholesome, brave, patriotic, Christian woman on the ten dollar bill. Not this group of evil beings.
Greenback Dollar
Songwriters
AXTON, HOYT WAYNE / RAMSEY, KEN
Some people say I’m a ‘No count’
Others say I’m no good
But I’m just a natural born travelin’ man
Doin’ what I think I should, oh yeah
Doin’ what I think I should
And I don’t give a damn about a greenback, a dollar
Spend it fast as I can
For a wailin’ song and a good guitar
The only things that I understand, poor boy
The only things that I understand
When I was a little baby
My mama said “Hey son
Travel where you will and grow to be a man
And sing what must be sung, poor boy”
Sing what must be sung
And I don’t give a damn about a greenback, a dollar
Spend it fast as I can
For a wailin’ song and a good guitar
The only things that I understand, poor boy
The only things that I understand
Now that I’m a grown man
I’ve traveled here and there
I’ve learned that a bottle of brandy and a song
The only ones who ever care, poor boy
The only ones who ever care
And I don’t give a damn about a greenback, a dollar
Spend it fast as I can
For a wailin’ song and a good guitar
The only things that I understand, poor boy
The only things that I understand
Some people say I’m a ‘No count’
Others say I’m no good
But I’m just a natural born travelin’ man
Doin’ what I think I should, oh yeah
Doin’ what I think I should
And I don’t give a damn about a greenback, a dollar
Spend it fast as I can
For a wailin’ song and a good guitar
The only things that I understand, poor boy
The only things that I understand
The only things that I understand, poor boy
The only things that I understand
"That's Hedley!"
Dolly Madison or Abigail Adams would be fine with me.
S.E. Cupp?.......That’s at least a 36C Cupp....................
How about LaWanda Page?..................
Why not. That would be perfect for a 3 dollar bill
I think placing a woman on the ten dollar bill will perfectly exemplify gender and racial norms in the United States today.
She will not have had to achieve what a man did to get there.
If she is still alive she will be extremely proud.
If anyone dares point this out to her, she will be extremely offended.
Then there will be the requisite supporters who will trash the person who was audacious enough to address reality.
The only good thing is that unlike the broad spectrum of real workplace existence, her status won’t cause her to be able to screw things up.
She’ll just be there on the bill, standing out in a way that she will never quite comprehend.
And once she is on the bill having not had to achieve what the others did to get on their bills, the requirements for the men will be lowered too, so as not to embarrass her.
Gosh, how fitting. It’s the perfect model for what takes place across the board in today’s America.
-PJ
The only way Dolly Madison will be on a ten is if she is shown to be transracial.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.