Yes, we all have intentions -- good ones, bad ones, religious ones, political ones. I have my fair share, and of late, they haven't been political in the least. Anyone who has visited this blog with any regularity knows that periodically, the political me rears up its very loud head with the sharp as a scythe tongue and words fly. I don't hesitate from declaring myself a liberal Democrat and a woman pretty seriously conflicted on what it means to be "American." Patriotic, I'm not. During the last six months or so, my interest in politics has largely dwindled to the occasional glance at the headlines of our daily newspaper and a cursory look at Huffington Post and Salon. If I read anything of length or substance, it's in The New Yorker and maybe The Atlantic. I've stopped visiting conservative blogs because they make me queasy, literally, particularly the comments from the Republican faithful. I get no pleasure in keeping up with the perverse transgressions of our congressional or senatorial leaders, and the second I see one of those infidelity/porn/prostitute announcements, I click off and over. I'm not sure whether or not it's cynical, but my faith in the way our country is governed has dropped precipitously. I genuinely believe that money rules everything in politics (and perhaps everything else American) and that I don't have a chance of impacting that in any way. I think it's bullshit that the country is broke and that we all must make sacrifices to make it more productive, believing rather that those with the most money have the most influence and will, therefore, get the most benefits. I'm resigned to this and have decided that the best I can do is work diligently in my little circle for those that are most vulnerable and for those that I happen to know a bit about -- the disabled, in particular. I learned during the last grueling election cycle NOT to talk politics or even any substantial beliefs with my conservative parents, and that's worked out just fine. I'm currently not listening to anything regarding the election next year and assiduously turn my eye away from anything regarding that circus group of Republican contenders. I'll raise my eyebrows with interest as New York passes the gay marriage bill and scowl at Georgia's draconian immigration bills, but I'm not wasting my time yakking about it.
Which brings me to this -- a book has been published that is not about yakking but actually thoughtfully and brilliantly discusses the role of women, social media and blogging in politics and policy-making.
Joanne Bamberger of PunditMom recently published Mothers of Intention: How Women and Social Media are Revolutionizing Politics in America. The book features a blog post/essay that I wrote when the Tea Party began its assault on healthcare reform, when the air in the country was so toxic that it spilled over into my relationship with family. I am honored to have been included in this book, which, I should add is inclusive of many different viewpoints and political persuasions. Here's a brief excerpt from a press release:
From her vantage point in the nation’s capitol, Joanne Bamberger–political and media strategist/analyst, author, and recovering attorney known around the blogosphere as PunditMom– reveals the powerful impact social media tools have had in amplifying female voices in American politics today.
Born out of women’s writings on websites and blogs,Mothers of Intention: How Women and Social Media are Revolutionizing Politics in America examines the rise of the motherhood political movement and how women have become a larger, more powerful presence in political activism. Women make up the majority of online users and utilize the Internet more effectively than men overall. As a result, they are rapidly growing in political influence.
In the first book to describe this new political idiom, Bamberger traces and analyzes the ever-growing trend, and incorporates powerful essays by notable female commentators including: Pulitzer Prize winner Connie Schultz, Mom-101’s Liz Gumbinner, Veronica Arreola of Viva la Feminista, Jaelithe Judy of MOMocrats and MomsRising’s Lisa Frack, among others.
Mothers of Intention debunks the commonly held notion that motherhood renders women mute when it comes to public policy and electoral politics. With the authority of a veteran political commentator, Bamberger documents the emergence of a collective female voice in politics. Describing today’s complex political scene with humor, intelligence and humility, and explaining what it means to be a mother within it, Mothers of Intention provides a perspective that often eludes works of social commentary authored by a single individual.
An important coda to the last presidential election and the essential gender issues it raised,Mothers of Intention is must reading for anyone wanting to understand what motivates women in the political arena or looking to get a vote in the next election.
So, I am happy to offer a copy of the book -- a beautiful hardback -- to anyone who leaves a comment here. Let me know if you consider yourself political or not. I encourage you to go to my sidebar as well and click there to order one -- that's in case you don't win a copy! I can assure you that the book is a great read, filled with interesting, smart commentary and opinion by both Joanne and the writers she's included.
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Tell me no lies.
Just don't tell me any smut about politicians.
