lanewillson

“Women are not equal to men.” Or at least you would think that’s the message of Sheryl Sandberg’s new book “Lean In” based on the chorus of apoplectic harmony sung by the New York Time’s Maureen Dowd, and the Pat Schroeder Times Square Tap Team.A quick bit of self-disclosure - my name is nowhere near the top of the feminism dial-a-friend list. While I have never sent some of the world’s most powerful women to the microphone to cover for my adultery, or accidently walked off from a car crash forgetting that my incredibly young secretary was still in my submerged vehicle, neither have I achieved the level of female esteem of enjoyed by Alan Alda and Mike Farrell. (Though both are the stars of my favorite show.) Don’t get me wrong, some of my favorite people are women. Both of my daughters, my mom, two of my sisters, several cousins, aunts, friends, and even my ex-wife are all women. I’m a fan…a big fan! Had it not been for Ms. Dowd’s review, I never would read the book, and probably continued my ignorant bliss of Ms. Sandberg and her position at Facebook. Much of the criticism of the book is dead on accurate. I couldn't believe Sandberg actually said she wants to be “the pompom girl for feminism”. Isn't that sort of like being the centerfold for chastity? I didn't come across anything offensive in the book, but I didn't find anything new or inspirational either. It was a very easy read, and carried both the positive and negative weight of that designation. Ms. Dowd, however; is to be congratulated on at least a couple of fronts. She jumped way up the Chauvinist Power Rankings. Most importantly, she proved a theory long debated by social anthropologist, and men patiently, yet quite awkwardly, waiting in OB/GYN offices the world over. The biggest critics of women are other women. Men used to own this demo (18-45 year old women haters and skeptics of female ability), but no more. Like Gandalf on the bridge of Khazad-dûm, Dowd stands between any woman choosing her own path and success screaming “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”