Role Models...or Lack Thereof

I honestly haven't really had any role models.  I looked up to my grandmother but I wouldn't have said she was a role model.  As far as famous, well-known women I still don't consider any of them role models.  However, I do commend the efforts of women like Hilary Clinton and Oprah.  Women are portrayed as needing to be tall, impossibly thin and stupid.  Because of this portrayal, women who aren't like this are looked down upon.  Even if you are smart you will be hard pressed to be taken seriously.  I definitely believe that the way women are portrayed in the media has a direct effect on women in powerful positions.  Comments made about women in a position of power or trying to obtain one are about their looks or what they're wearing, not about what they have to say.  Until the portrayal of women in the media changes the outlook isn't too good.  Having the few strong women like Hilary Clinton and Oprah, among others, fighting their way to the top is definitely helping the cause.   But, there is a long way to go yet.

Sapelo Island, GA

My family does not have ancestral land.  My grandparents have lived on their property since before they had my mother and two uncles but I do no see anyone else in my family moving in there once my grandparents pass on.  My immediate family and I have moved 5 times now and I have moved twice in addition.  I do not think land has been important enough to pass down land from generation to generation because everyone is more focused on their situation.  Moving to an area they prefer or closer to work or more room for a larger family.  I think this kind of mentality creates much more separation in the family than those who show much more importance to ancestral land.  I think that the land means everything to the people of Sapelo Island.  With their ancestors being forced to Sapelo Island to be slaves there is a lot of history on that land.  Slavery was ended and they were able to work the same land but to their own means.  The land game them everything they needed to survive and it was theirs to call their own.  The whole family participated with working the land and it was handed down from generation to generation.  Even moving from one part of the island to the other was upsetting for Cornelia Walker's family.  The land on Sapelo Island is like an identity for its people.  It represents a difficult history that was overcome.  To give up the land would be giving up a piece of themselves.  The more I think about it the more I would like to be a part of something so meaningful.  The way my family works it wouldn't matter much where I lived which kind of creates a daunting feeling.  Those on Sapelo Island have a sense of belonging.