The Real America vs. The Real Herland

     What sets the society in Herland apart from any that I have ever seen is simply the fact that women are allowed to be in control of their lifestyles, not having men pose as the "I know what is best for everyone", figures. Seeing women other than as subordinates to men, having the rights of free choice to do what they want unabated in a land of their own, was an extremely fascinating concept for me. To be quite frank, I was impressed with this feministic idea, in such a time in our history when women, along with women's rights oftentimes were trampled upon by the will of men. The simple fact of the matter is that Herland had existed while being isolated from men for many years, and just for that fact alone, it is clear to me that Herland, along with Herland's society, are full of intelligent, bright, and gifted women that are perfectly capable of sustaining a viable society for many years to come. "The proof is in the pudding". This holds very true today, that some of societies most gifted and talented will never be acknowledged simply for the fact that under Patriarchy, they will be deemed inferior, and subordinate, to those on top. What a shame it is that so much potential goes by the wayside, simply “Just because”.

    

      For those non-believers of Herland, let make a comparison to what America has to offer. Let’s start with a direct quote from Terry stating that "In America, 1/3 of women are poor, and that America is separated into societal classes". Now, in Herland poverty goes by the wayside because Herland is setup for the better of the many, essentially eliminating classes and the separations that having classes dictates and forces on its people. No matter what position one may take on this issue, I think that any society looking out for its most vulnerable citizens sets it apart from those that do not. Next, we will examine the concept of educating citizens in America in comparison to Herland. While it is very true that America has some of the best, and most world renowned institutions of higher learning, let us not forget the price tags that accompany these fine institutions, and how that eliminates this opportunity from so many. Not every citizen in America is fortunate enough to attend good schools growing up, let’s just look at the dropout rates, in some of the most impoverished areas and major cities in America such as; Detroit Michigan, Washington D.C., Chicago Illinois, and New Orleans Louisiana. Women and men growing up in these areas, along with the young boys, and girls overwhelming don't have the most positive outlook on life, or their educational opportunities. Poverty can lead one not knowing how they will feed themselves at night, not to mention the alternative of going to a run-down, crime ridden, highly impoverished school that cares nothing about their success . Harvard anyone?  

 

   

 

 

     

 

     On the contrary, in Herland you have a whole community looking
out for the betterment of all, and education is put at a top priority on every level, not separating and limiting the privileged only getting a good education while the impoverished suffer. I have always been under the impression that getting a good education opens doors, but without a fair and equal opportunity such as what was presented in Herland, there will always be a permanent underclass, for the capitalistic society that has eliminated so many in America.
 
     Now with all of that being said, America will always be the land that I love, while Herland, along with the ideals of Herland will always be the land that I see as being pioneer to finally depicting women in the correct light of being strong, capable, intelligent, and self-reliant. This all entails why Herland is my kind of land!