Sisters Unite (but only if we agree?)

Okay, I was going to ignore the whole Kim Davis topic (YOU know Kim Davis, the county clerk who was jailed recently for refusing to issue marriage licenses in Kentucky...to anyone, including gay couples); however, I came across this particularly grimy little story and just had to weigh in.

The View. Ahhh, where to start. Okay, so we should all know the television program The View, which  in the past several years has rifled through co-hosts like a person in a hurry rifles through her sock drawer. The premise of this little gem is a panel of "ladies" who represent multiple views about all things (or DO they?). They have the token "conservative" gal on the panel and then they have everyone else. You know this show right? The one with Whoopie (could I BE more condescending) Goldberg? Yeah, that's the one.

So these "ladies" are like everybody. They have opinions. Good, It's America. We all have opinions. They have good makeup artists...well we don't ALL have that. Most of the time, the only time my face comes in contact with Loreal or Revlon is when I walk past the makeup counter in Walmart. They have sisterhood...I mean, it IS a forum where women from different walks of life express their views about life; and they have many times regarded themselves as champions of women and women's issues. Uh-huh.

So now, I tell you what I am struggling with, strictly speaking AS a woman. Well, just to be fair, I may not be the typical woman, at least, and probably not according to these particular gals. As a matter of fact, I often jokingly refer to myself as barely a woman because I do not enjoy the things usually associated with women (at least for now). I don't like shopping (GASP!); I don't like getting manis (and GOD FORBID you would ever catch me NEAR a pedi); I mostly like to spend my time frolicking (yes you read it right) with my goats, cattle, and dogs outside...in the dirt...gathering up goat pellets (that's POO for those of you who are not in-the-know) and checking them under a microscope for parasites. That sort of thing. Yes, I really DO enjoy that. I am a farmer. So no, I am probably not part of The View's target audience. Besides, I cannot stand the show, nor any of the myriad of co-hosts that they have inflicted on hapless viewers over the years. Perhaps I am a bit biased? Perhaps.

However, on with my rant. I promise.

I caught this little story while listening to Sirius radio this morning. The woman shown above, apparently named Michelle Collins (yet another celebrity with whom I am totally, and gratefully ignorant) was so appalled by Kim Davis that she just had to melt down about her looks. Really? So Kim Davis, acting in an official governmental capacity, decides that she cannot perform her job duties because of a conscientious objection based on her personal faith...she gets thrown in jail without bail (cute little rhyme, huh?)...becomes an International sensation overnight...is the catalyst for a new controversial and important debate...and this Michelle Collins person has a problem with her LOOKS?? I think Collins's exact words were that she's "a monster." Hmmm, that sounds a little catty to me. But maybe I don't get this whole "sisterhood" thing (see reasons above). I thought that sisterhood meant that ALL women, no matter their faith, views, race, orientation, etc., were of equal value and dignity. I guess I got that wrong.

It smells to me that the women of The View, and perhaps lots of women everywhere, are compassionate and empathetic to only those women with whom they agree. And, if they do NOT agree with a woman's views/decisions, etc., then she becomes a target for ridicule and derision and it's OKAY to do it! Are we really to believe that in this day and age of tolerance, anti-bullying, anti-body-shaming, advocacy of anything and everything that anyone wants to be, that we can still accept name-calling and jokes about a fellow sister's physical appearance by a talk show host, just because she (the victim) doesn't happen to believe the same way as the "so-called" co-host?? C'mon girls!! How about we grow up. 

Now many people might say that Ms. Collins was "just joking." After all, it is a light-hearted show and this co-host was obviously just kidding. Right? Hunky-dunky. let's flip it. How about Ms. Collins make fun of, oh I don't know, Rosie O'Donnell's looks. I mean, let's face it, Rosie ain't Princess Kate you know. She's no oil painting, that's for sure! And my, her bum is larger than her mouth. And just to be fair, what about the other beauties on the panel, Whoopie? My oh my, is THAT canvas wide open for physical critique. Joy? Raven? Get my drift?

Suddenly, I'm not really feeling the sisterhood. 

I am not really sure where I fall on the whole Kim Davis affair. Personally, I do have to admire her courage a bit, for standing up against a tidal wave of opposition, popular opinion, and people just dying for a chance to ridicule someone like her. Do I think she acted rightly, being she is in a state position? Probably not. She should follow the law of the land. But then, there are example after example after example today of people who are not following the laws of the land, who are NOT thrown in jail for it. I could go on about that subject, but not in this post. Let's just say, we tend to pick and choose those "laws" that we think are important and significant today.

No, I'm not sure I agree with Kim Davis's decision to NOT issue marriage licenses to gay couples or any others. However, being that she is a fellow human being and sister, I would never presume to think myself better than her because she doesn't look the way I think she ought. Perhaps Michelle Collins should take a gander in the mirror. Monster indeed.