So, I don't consider myself a feminist, and I don't think I am at a significant disadvantage because of my gender. In fact, I get somewhat annoyed when people try to tell me I should feel that way.

However, this does not mean I am unaware of the way cultural stereotypes can impact the world. I was in a discussion recently about how Hillary Clinton may have a harder time being judged a good leader because she is female, and that while male politicians aim for a certain sensitivity, she is deemed weak if she cries. There is a small amount of truth there, I guess, but on the other end of the spectrum, I'm not sure Hillary Clinton *is* a good leader regardless of gender and so I don't think she should be handicapped in either direction.

But, that's politics, a subject I have neither the information nor the inclination to discuss intelligently.

What actually brought this to mind was dictionary.com's word of the day:

Word of the Day for Saturday, February 16, 2008

virago \vuh-RAH-go; vuh-RAY-go\, noun:

1. A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage.
2. A woman regarded as loud, scolding, ill-tempered, quarrelsome, or overbearing.

Same word, completely antithetical connotations. It brought to mind the conversations on how strong women are considered to be domineering (there are other words appropriate, but I try to avoid swearing here).

Now, to be fair, I am sure there are words like this for men as well, probably relating to sensitivity vs. masculinity or a some such, a dichotomy that is equally unfair.

It just didn't show up in my inbox this morning.