Political satire should be considered one of the highest forms of entertainment, no? Try reading Jenny Allen’s “I’m A Mom” essay in the current issue of The New Yorker and argue against me.
With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Allen eagerly applauds Mom-in-Chief-hopeful Ann Romney for praising and celebrating all American mommies for doing all that they do so darn well. From nursing sick children back to health with star-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches to writing their history papers for them, Allen rallies on behalf of Team Mom to satirically spotlight what these ladies do best. After all, where would this country be without moms? To hell in a handbasket, that’s where!
Of course, given the political theater that women like Ann Romney and Michelle Obama have to play a role in, some mom cheering is expected, even warranted. And both women more than happy to oblige. But I couldn’t help but stop and stare at candy-coated Ann’s effusive yet somewhat misguided use of the open mic at her husband’s Republican National Convention–making every non-mom out there feel at worst useless and at best ignored. At times, it seemed that Mama Romney was suggesting that moms feed, nurture, and rear this country, and (inadvertently) that everyone else is simply of lesser importance. A message she probably didn’t intend to send, but that many women received nonetheless.
So–channeling Jenny Allen’s comedic pluck–to you all you moms out there who are running the show: Do you really think single gals are extraneous? And from the perspective of a married-but-as-yet-childless woman: You think you’re better than me? Think again.
–Whitney C. Harris
Deputy Editor
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