Pockets of Power
I read that the Southern Baptist Convention now forbids women from holding leadership roles in the church and has actually expelled two churches for having female pastors. I’m not Baptist so it’s really no skin off my nose, except that I’m tired of men forbidding women things just by virtue of their sex.
Now, maybe there is some divine proclamation in the Baptist rules & regulations regarding the inappropriateness of female leadership. A decree marking the male of our species superior, as if by magic. But if so, how could these women-led Baptist churches have come this far? Are their congregations all disciples of the devil? Besides, I thought Christian churches were about inclusivity, not social hierarchies based on sex (or skin color or age or gender identity or any other arbitrary difference used to declare a person unworthy).
But I get it! Men—particularly white men—have a good thing going and have had since the dawn of our nation (which was born by excluding Native peoples). Actually, since the dawn of time. Why would they want to give it up?
When the supreme court dismantled Roe v. Wade, I felt an acute loss of autonomy as a woman. I am too old to bear children (I’ve had my share) so it wasn’t about babies. It was about power. Somebody was stepping on my rights as a woman—declaring what I can or can’t do by virtue of my sex. That pissed me off. I was alive and highly aware while women were securing back-alley abortions. Consequently, I was incensed at our male legislators, and absolutely bewildered by the female ones, who supported the effort to carry us back to the dark ages.
And now I am angry on behalf of women who choose to be Baptist pastors.
But this domination goes way beyond abortion laws and Baptist doctrine. Take a look at public schools. The almighty Google tells me that as of last September, 71% of school superintendents, nationwide, were men. But 74% of teachers were women. Something is wrong with this picture.
And this power grab goes right down to our pockets. Frequently women are even denied pockets in their clothing! And when they are granted, they are half the size of “male” pockets.
A review of ancient history indicates a pocket was originally a pouch which was strapped to a belt—exterior to clothing—and available to men and women alike. Then, in the 17th century, pockets began to be sewn into men’s garments, but not women’s. Women continued to use pouches attached to belts under layers of skirts and petticoats. Men’s pockets were functional and helpful. Women’s were highly impractical.
When women joined the workforce during World Wars I and II, they were granted pockets for practicality. But once women were no longer needed for traditionally male jobs, their pockets got smaller or disappeared. Fashion designer Christian Dior reportedly said, “Men have pockets to keep things in, women for decoration.”
Give me a flippin’ break!
I understand why men won’t easily relinquish power they perceive as their birthright. But the world might be less wobbly if they would.
If I were the preacher in a church—Baptist or otherwise— a man would be welcome. But I’d ask him to please park his penchant for power at the door and practice inclusivity within the congregation. Even if I might have to explain he is mistaken about which part of the anatomy actually makes you mighty. It’s not your magic wand.