The changing roles of women

By DR. MARK ROSS/Columnist

I could not help but notice the contrast. Within the same newspaper appeared two different stories concerning women.
One story was simply another update of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the nomination of the Democratic Party for the office of President of the United States. The second story came from a document that included a bit of history from the 1973 trade negotiations between Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong and U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
The document, which came from the archives of the State Department, revealed that Mao was aware of the poor bargaining position China had when it came to trade. As a concession, the Chairman offered the one thing China had plenty of, women. First, he offered Kissinger, “Some tens of thousands.” Later, Mao increased his offer to, “10 million women.”
Maybe Mao had a limited appreciation for large numbers. I am not certain about his mathematical prowess. What is clear is that he had no appreciation for women. “Do you want our Chinese women?” he asked Kissinger. He offered up the heart of his nation as a riverboat gambler might throw out his life’s possessions on one solitary hand.
Forget partisan politics for a moment. Forget that the nomination may very well go to a man. Forget that an election has not yet happened. The fact that a viable candidate for the nomination of the office of the president happens to be a woman certainly is a first. There have been female candidates in the past, even the distant past. Still this year brings the nation closer to a woman in the White House that ever before.
Yet, that is here and that is now. Both are a long way from 1973 and a long way from China. Still, it is hard to imagine that in 35 years people could go from trade negotiations that include 10 million women to talking about one woman leading the United States of America. “You have come a long way, baby,” even in China.
I suppose there are some of us that would say too far. No, none in this country would favor human trade. I do not even think there are many that would step back from equal rights. (Even the phrase sounds dated.) Still, there are those that contend a woman’s only place is in the home; most have a verse to prove it.
Well, the Bible is an old book filled with all kinds of words. From it, one can find writing that towers above William Shakespeare. One can also find words and ideas that none of us today would dream of saying or embracing. More than one reprobate has found his or her justification within the Holy Book. I guess you can “find what you are looking for.”
It is a long way from here to China, from here to 1973. No one today would think of loading boats with women for trade exchange. Yet, there is not much difference between forcing someone into a home or on to a boat. Both are force.
I am glad Mao Zedong would find no shelter for his small mindedness here. I am sad that if he did it might be under a steeple.

Dr. Mark Ross is pastor of Marion Baptist Church.