...having recently got overly mushy with regards to my daughter's recent success. I thought that I could take a teensy bit of credit, as her mother. Not that I want to take anything from her, per se, whatsoever.
Then it got me thinking. She did the work, she got the grades, she is victorious in her studying and degree outcome. Her mum is a Sixties chick (born '65), as are her aunties (1961 1963).
Sixties chicks are cool. Many of us broke all the rules, defied convention and said "F*** it. I'll do it anyway, my way". This has liberated our daughters and nieces...made it easier for them to blaze their own trail.
My mother (RIP) worked during the 1960's, 70's, 80's 90's up until her illness and death.
My grandmothers were also workers (RIP). All my aunts had careers and jobs, three of them were single parents (divorced (RIP), abandoned (RIP) and widowed)
When I reflect back on how hard it was to be taken seriously, in my profession, and others (that I have worked in), at the time because they were essentially male domains.
True story:
When I went to apply for my third studio in Brighton, I was wearing a floral blouse, dungarees and pink shoes (lipstick, eyeliner, fragrance as per norm). I was very pretty, with long hair and I did not attempt to dress like, or be like, a man.
I had to be 'considered', based on the way that I was dressed/presented (ie not like a bloke, as many female artist were, at that time - androgynous - with short hair and no makeup and man-boots. Somebody in admin/applications has asked if 'pretty girls in floral clothes' were acceptable applicants. Can we let 'Barbie' in the building? : )
Another story:
My university graphics tutor refused to mark my projects because I refused to 'snitch' on other colleagues who were completing assignments out of Uni campus. I got found out (told you I'm a useless liar) Actually my train was late from London and I was asked why I was late....Honest John (here) just blurted the truth.
"My train was late, it was stuck en route for three hours", the truth.
...and this sparked a problem,
Not that I cared, I considered that if a brief said, "All projects should be completed to client presentation standard" - meant just that. I took that as literal. How could that be possible with such crappy studio equipment - Letraset and a graphics studio enlarger? He was aware that my standard of work was higher - from using a professional studio in London - as were two other student's work (having also gone to London contacts to complete their projects) Seamus and Emma.
I point blank refused to give up their names, even though he kinda knew who they were. He made a claim that I was cheating and did not mark my work. After telling him that I thought he was a 'bastard' (which did not really help - but lets be real - it was shitty blackmail) I went to appeal to Head of Department and he more or less suggested that he would get on my side if I went to 'dine' with him. Yes. That kinda dining. Cringe.
The only person who came to help me was the photography tutor, Jane. Who had just come out of a coma (car accident) and was really not well enough to be back at work. She came in to mark my work. She had to leave again, because she was not well enough to really be there. It was agreed, by the department, that she needed more time off to recover.
So there I was, betwixt two very disappointing course leaders and a boyfriend in the background - who it transpired was, watching my ass while cheating on my ass. Nice.
Needless to say, I left soon after. I dropped out. I'm an Eighties University drop-out and proud of it. I got my degree at Sussex in 2010.
*....rules are there to be bent, twisted or broken
**....vows are different
Vows are made to be kept, rules are there to be broken...for sure...or how could we evolve? We would not.
So shout out to all the Sixties Chicks (those working in 60's and being born in 60's) who said "Nah, not doing it.....I'm doing it my way"
You have helped set those eighties and nineties chicks free. Take that credit. They won't have to deal with the s*** that we had had to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evEbAbQ2sQk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94bdMSCdw20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ4QoCskBN4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpmN9JorFew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ST9TZBb9v8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NdsnFZm0X4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dlrXCYrNYI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R_Qk1AN5S4
*Rule: one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct or procedure within a particular area of activity.
synonyms: regulation, ruling, directive, order, court order, act, law, by-law, statute, edict, canon, ordinance, pronouncement, mandate, command, dictate, dictum, decree, fiat, proclamation, injunction, commandment, prescription, stipulation, requirement, precept, guideline, direction, control of or dominion over an area or people.
"the revolution brought an end to British rule"
synonyms: control, jurisdiction, command, power, sway, dominion, government, administration, sovereignty, leadership, ascendancy, supremacy, authority, direction, mastery, hegemony, regime, influence
**Vow: a solemn promise.
synonyms: oath, pledge, promise, bond, covenant, commitment, avowal, profession, sworn statement, affirmation, attestation, assurance, word, word of honour, guarantee
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