Power

 I am changing my original path on this topic, for my impulses until this morning was to go with a combinations of science (physics) and sports (baseball).  In other words, I was going to be on typical guy thinker territory.  I'm a guy.

This morning, I deflected as I reflected - Johnny Cochran would have appreciated that delightful use of the language - reflecting upon last night's debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence.  And the fly, of course, for any of you who watched.  Pence I have watched for four years and Kamala, being local, for a longer time.  Everyone was waiting for Kamala to eviscerate Pence and the Democrats would jump up and down in joyous celebration while the Republicans would claim that she was the nasty, angry woman they had warned America about.  She had eviscerated Brett Kavanaugh during his hearings, leaving him speechless, a reflection of her extensive past as a prosecutor.  But, she didn't do that.  She lost no ground and people viewed her as the winner, but she didn't go after Pence like it was known she could.  Why?

To answer that for myself, I realized she reminded me of someone else, my own mother!  Mom is what we always called her, just as Kamala's kids call her Momala, which I just found out not only rhymes with her name, but means "little mama" in Yiddish and her children are Jewish.  And, just like Mom, she is an extremely intelligent woman in a world divesting itself of the idea that power is the domain of white men.  And, just like Mom, she is warm and funny and able to bring it!

My mother did not like confrontation.  She had seen too much of it when she was young and knew the price.  She also didn't believe in subservience, not as a philosophy, but as a core part of her personality.  Her own mother was the same way, definitely the queen of her clan, a role that my mother assumed on grandma's passing.  So, how did she balance avoidance of conflict and still not be subservient?  By being a social and emotional genius, not just a sterile intellect.

I used to argue with Dad.  Mostly, it was on an understood and respectful basis.  At least until I became a teenage jerk, but that passed.  Mom did not join in ... until there was no choice.  It was the understanding in the family that Mom did not argue, she cut to the bone!  That is where she started and it was just too well done usually to not even make it worth continuing.  Not every woman has this ability to this extent, but for those that do, it is special.

Kamala has it.  She does the political thing while she can, but when it is time, she cuts straight to the bone.  When she asked Brett Kavanaugh if he knew of any situation in which anyone dictated how a man was to treat his own body, he stammered for a bit and then asked if she could be any more specific.  She replied, "Male.  Female."  To the bone!

Carol has it, Carly has it, Monica has it and on and on.  To me, this is what men need to become aware of and realize it doesn't need to be suppressed or subjugated, especially since it will do no good to resist and do good to accept.  This is the power of the anima!  It isn't quite the same as the power of the animus, it is the power of the nurturer and defender of family, not the power of the thrusting, militaristic male.  It is a very effective power and unless it is corrupted by taking up male characteristics in its rise to prominence. it is a balancing power that brings solution without destruction, firm agreements without war.  It is a power with grace and humor.  It is a power that doesn't mess around!

Its time has come.

Please check out my other blog mates' takes on the same topic brought to us by Ramana at their blogs: 

Maria

Padmum
Raju
Ramana
Sanjana
Shackman

Srinivas