Kesher Talk

The 20 greatest American MEN in history. Meryl fisks Right Wing News' list of the 20 greatest Americans in history, and I agree that if you end up with a list with no women on it, you need to take a deep breath and review your choices.

This is not affirmative action or political correctness. This is just noticing what's in front of your nose. It's also a typical example of the kind of selective memory that Women's Studies, African American Studies, etc. were designed to correct. Whether or not those disciplines have since been completely captured by ideology is besides the point. Bringing to light history which has been ignored by the mainstream enriches our understanding of our common past, as long as the studies are subject to the same academic rigor as the mainstream.

I can understand the inclusion of Reagan, because of his role in precipitating the end of the Cold War, but I certainly wouldn't rank him at the top. MLK should be ranked higher. And I don't see why any generals should make the cut. Individual generals don't matter to world events as much as boys like to think. Whoever made sure that the War College has the right curriculum or that the army had the best supply chain probably had a greater influence.

I would agree with the inclusion of Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks for sure, and Gloria Steinem can certainly stand in for the 10-12 seminal figures of the feminist resurgence of the 70s, of which she was one, although I would argue that Betty Friedan was more of a pioneer. Good job, Meryl.

posted by Judith @ 7/21/2003 12:16:27 PM