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Welcome to the latest installment of BlogHer's series Why I'm Political. I know lots of people steer clear of the world of politics or anything that makes you think about one more televised candidate debate! But the political means a lot of different things to different people, especially women. I learned that as I was writing Mothers of Intention: How Women and Social Media are Revolutionizing Politics in America and discovered the women writers who contributed their essays to show the world that women in general, and mothers in particular, are not only motivated by important causes and issues, but they are writing publicly about those issues and are getting involved to in various ways to make a difference.
This week, I was pleased to interview Ilina Ewens, who writes at her personal blog Dirt & Noise, and contributed to Mothers of Intention with her essay, "Purchasing Power of Women." Ilina wrote her essay after having to explain to her two young sons the importance of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law -- so I wasn't surprised that Ilina had a lot of things to say about being a politically minded woman!
What motivated you to become political and/or go public with your political views? Were you ever afraid of what your /friends/family would think?
I've never been one to shy away from controversy, though I don't seek it out. I am confident in what I believe and think more women should feel free to speak their minds. So many women have told me what they think politically but don't share because it's different than what their fathers or husbands believe. It's a tough position to be in. My political views and values are such a large part of who I am, so it wasn't a conscious decision to write about politics. In fact, my very first blog post was about politics. It's called "Feeling Blue." I wrote about why I didn't support George Bush and how I explained that to my sons.
What are the issues you most focused on now going into the 2012 campaign season? What issue do you think is important that the candidates aren't talking about?
Education. It's abominable that teacher salaries are being cut and less money is spent on educating our children. We need to change our paradigm to view education as an investment, not an expense. The future of our country is on the backs of children today. We can't leave them to fend for themselves with no skills to not just cope, but to succeed, in the high tech, global climate that awaits them.
Coupled with the lack of education focus is the lack of support for families in general. It's an outrage to me that conservatives rest on their "family values," when their policies harm families more than help them. Our kids can't succeed if they are hungry, hurting, homeless, abused, latchkey, or without bare necessities and resources. The working poor need help. The middle class needs help. We need to restore a sense of security and long-term vision to the people. Providing and valuing a sound education is the only way out and up. This seems like a no-brainer to me because the whole community is lifted by an educated society.
I think one reason education is so sorely neglected and undervalued is because teaching is a profession that is largely female. As a nation we don't put the same value on women (take our crappy maternity leave policies as an example). This palpable neglect and discrimination against women must end. That drives me crazy, and that is what no candidate is talking about.
How do you connect your political views or activism with your role as a mother? Did your views/approach to the political world change after you had children?
I've always been opinionated and active in politics, since I could vote. I've always seen the world as a place bigger than the space I occupy (literally and figuratively). When I became a mother, my perspective shifted to make me see things in a broader way. I no longer focused just on the here and now; I started focusing on the future. The concept of legacy is important to me, mostly because I have no sense of that myself. I have a fierce desire to follow the cliche to leave the world better for my sons. I also want to show them firsthand that every single person matters and that being engaged in the system is
