The Good Old Boys’ Club--

Give them an inch and they’ll steak a mile

By

Theresa Chaze





One only has to look to the media to see how the fight between the Piscean Age and the Aquarian is manifesting. Although the tide is slowly turning, the male dominated Piscean is not going into the sweet good night. No longer is the violence against women, children and minorities tolerated or accepted as "boys will be boys" as the behaviors are casually dismissed. With the coming of the new age, those who do violence against others are publicly held responsible for their actions. As the era of "good old boys club" comes to a close, the violence against those they consider lesser than themselves will temporarily increase, but like all social and economic structures, whose authority comes from violence, they will eventually fall victim to their own power struggles.

This can be seen in the increasing the blatant disregard for the truth by the current administration, and the increasing attacks against women, children and minorities. The violence is all about control. Who has it? Who wants it? Who wants to keep it? White, Christian men no longer have the final say or the ultimate power in the home, the work place or in society. With the advent of birth control and the legalization of abortion, women now have control over their reproductive system, which has given them financial independence. No longer are they dependant on men for their economic security. No longer to they need to accept the bad behavior of the men in their lives, because they are now self sufficient and independent. Children are no longer possessions but individuals with rights and wills of their own. They are no longer cheap labor, who are unprotected subjects of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Interfamilial child sexual abuse refers to sexual abuse, which has been perpetrated by blood or legal relative. In the past, abusers were convicted under incest laws, which carry lower penalties; however, several states have enacted legislation that penalized the abuser the same as a stranger. Whether gender, religious or ethnic, minorities have and are continuing to gain the equal rights, which are protected by law and are reinforced by an increasing percentage of the public. No longer legally deprived of educational and employment opportunities, minorities have become active political forces using not only their political voices, but also their economic power to make changes. All these changes have created a black lash of violence and intimidation by those who have been forced to share power.

In the last few years, violence against woman has increased. However, instead of being excused or ignored, the stories have not only made front page, but have refused to go away. In the past, violence against women was down played. The women were blamed for the harm done to them. It was her fault she was raped: she shouldn’t have been there. She asked for it by dressing or acting so sexy. The wife’s behavior “forced” her husband to beat or kill her. Although the results have changed, the behaviors in many "men" have not. Woman and children have more options and more rights, but the violence against them has increased. Jessie Marie Davis is only the latest incident of a husband or significant other using murder as a way t prove he is superior. The kidnappings in Wisconsin are further examples of how a small number of men in this country still see woman as possessions to be used or abuse at their slightest whim. However, instead of the articles being relegated to the back of the papers orthe information being ignored, the stories are leads. The public is no longer accepting excuses from the perpetrators and are demanding the highest level of punishment.

Children have also been under attack physically, emotionally and spiritually. No longer safe to molest their own children, abusers have sought and found children out side their homes. Many children and young adults have disappeared only to be found later dead. Traditionalist, under the guise of protecting children, are attempting to limit what kind of information they have access to. Medical, spiritual and educational opportunities are under attack as a way of limiting knowledge and life experience. By regulating the learning opportunities, they are more able to spread their own bigotry, ignorance and keep control over their children. However, laws like Jessica’s Law sets mandatory sentencing guidelines and places limits on abuser after release. Megans Law forces those convicted of a sex offense to register with local law enforcement and makes the information available to the public. In addition, laws have been enacted to protect children from neglect and abuse. Emotional and spiritual abuse is more difficult to regulate and harder to prove. When parents or family members degrade and verbally attack, they don’t leave physical signs. There are no bruises or broken bones. However, the spiritual and emotional damages are just as great and long lasting. Frequently, it can only be discover after it has started reflecting in the child’s behavior. Teaching hate, bigotry and aggressive behavior is emotional and spiritual abuse. It not only creates angry children, but limits their opportunities and ability to interact in society. By keeping the educational system focused on not only fulfilling the basic requirements, but forcing it to provide a safe, diverse learning arena, the cycle of hate and bigotry can be broken.

Although lynchings are now the exception, not the rule, discrimination is still prevalent. The only difference is that it has become more subtle. From the denial of right to marry for gays to the refusal by the Veteran’s Administration to approve the pentacle on soldiers’ grave markers, minorities still have to fight for rights others take for granted. The glass ceiling still prevents minorities from reaching their full potential, while the good old boy’s club promotes those who are less qualified. Profiling and the Patriot Act give the bigots the excuse they have been looking for openly express their racism. Harassment of women, people of color and non-Christians has been rising; however, the technological advances have also given them ammunition to fight back. Cell phones that are capable of recording video and sound have exposed many abusive law enforcement officers and have forced the legal system to change. If the abuse is on tape, it can’t be denied or explained away by the officer. Although homosexuals have been denied the right to a legal marriage, many states are enacting domestic partnership legislation that gives nearly the same legal rights between same sexed couples. After ten years of legal hearings and massive public support, the Circle Sanctuary has finally forced the VA to accept the pentacle as a religious symbol. Technology has also opened the door for small and home based businesses that not only offer diverse opportunities for those who couldn’t break through the gender or ethic limitations, but have made competitors out of one-time employees. Computers, cell phones and the internet have created more options for work locations and scheduling. No longer are individuals limited to the 9 to 5 routine or being forced to go into the office. Instead they have created successful home based businesses or work spaces that makes them economically secure and individually independent.

Yet, the battle continues. For as much as there have been gains, there is still much to be fought for. Although there have been many positive changes in society, now is not the time to relax or get comfortable with the status quo. The good old boys’ club continues to openly fight to regain supremacy by attacking the rights of those they see as lesser than themselves. They use violence, bigotry and manipulation to create fearful situations that give them the upper hand. If we give an inch back to them, it will only encourage them to try to take a mile.