I was handed that proverbial double-edge sword as I moved into the world of the media to promote my book and child advocacy work.  I have been introduced to many wonderful women along the way who are devoted to healing the world through awareness, compassion and empowerment. 

On the other hand, my new love affair with the media has also necessitated that I discontinue my self-imposed boycott of the news on television.   What is coming out of the mouths of some of the women political candidates is not only disconcerting – it is frightening.   Their harsh, venomous comments are being delivered with vitriol and pure hatred. 

Sometime between today and the time I took political science in college (long, long ago) the dialogue, discussion and debate that exemplified a civil society has been replaced by screaming, lying and outright ignorance. 

And so, I had to take a little time to think about how to deal with this new reality.  Part of me wants to bring my old “women’s lib” badge out of storage, dust it off, polish it a little and start to speak up.  I think about that for a while, and then I remember I have committed myself to other missions.  My passion remains to protect the children.  Yet I will absolutely support anyone who wants to stand up to and speak out against what is happening in the current political arena. 

My intention is not to suggest that women are the only individuals who are engaging in this behavior.  I am singling them out to make a point.  Women are the caretakers of the world, the nurturers, the healers.   There is a tremendous job in front of all of us to heal this planet, and I believe it is the women of the world who must take that lead.   It is disappointing when women choose war instead!

Marion Witte