Rebecca Walker Rebels Against Her Famous Mother By Becoming A Mom Herself
Posted by gingerlynn on May 23, 2008
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PurpleZoe: ...
It seems very PR-motivated. Rebecca's surname is Jewish, yet she changed it Walker. Her mother, as she illustrates in the third person, is an icon. This is likely why she chose to use the last name Walker. Why else would someone who claims to have been traumatized by their mother take their mother's last name?
We're all entitled to share our voice, but it seems she is trying to one-up her mother by characterizing her a fanatical feminist who rebuked motherhood (though Rebecca has written poetry to her daughter in her books rather than attack her), so that Rebecca can seem like the sensible one who enjoys motherhood.
It's a classic mother-daughter battle, except those usually take place in reasonable privacy, whereas Rebecca has made the world her boxing ring, which is really going for the jugular considering her mother's pretty much mythical status as an author.
I'd like to hear what Alic Walker has to say.
How do we know she was neglectful? Her parents divorce agreement required Rebecca to leave with each parent for a few years here and there as I understand it.
I just can't take Rebecca's word for it, especially when she uses her mother's image so heavily in the promotional campaign for her book.
-PZ for UltravioletUnderground
We're all entitled to share our voice, but it seems she is trying to one-up her mother by characterizing her a fanatical feminist who rebuked motherhood (though Rebecca has written poetry to her daughter in her books rather than attack her), so that Rebecca can seem like the sensible one who enjoys motherhood.
It's a classic mother-daughter battle, except those usually take place in reasonable privacy, whereas Rebecca has made the world her boxing ring, which is really going for the jugular considering her mother's pretty much mythical status as an author.
I'd like to hear what Alic Walker has to say.
How do we know she was neglectful? Her parents divorce agreement required Rebecca to leave with each parent for a few years here and there as I understand it.
I just can't take Rebecca's word for it, especially when she uses her mother's image so heavily in the promotional campaign for her book.
-PZ for UltravioletUnderground
1
May 30, 2008 - 09:13:04 PM
VA: ...
I am so proud of you Rebecca. Your courage to display the stark truths of feminism is empowering. Why is it that we always have to be at the extreme ends of the spectrum. Why we can't be independent and have a loving family--what happened to cooperation? Nonetheless, I wish the best for you, your mother, and your son. In time, wounds will heal. Smiles!!!!
2
May 27, 2008 - 02:51:20 AM
oscarsmom: ...
il Mami:
I haven't read the article yet, but I just wanted to point out that the article was written in The Dail Mail, an English publication, which is why everything is spelled in the British grammatical style.
I haven't read the article yet, but I just wanted to point out that the article was written in The Dail Mail, an English publication, which is why everything is spelled in the British grammatical style.
3
May 26, 2008 - 09:49:23 AM
josephina: ...
1maksis
A lot of sarcasm in the comments below especially mine. I think most people agree that we should not be critizing someone who is expressing...well what Rebecca was trying to express. She just took it too far. But so did I in first comment so who am I
A lot of sarcasm in the comments below especially mine. I think most people agree that we should not be critizing someone who is expressing...well what Rebecca was trying to express. She just took it too far. But so did I in first comment so who am I
4
May 25, 2008 - 08:25:33 AM
adrian b: ...
i enjoyed this article Rebbeca continue to free yourself but don't doubt your mothers love. I know it's hard but we are who we are.
5
May 24, 2008 - 09:24:59 PM
ill Mami: ...
1maksis,
I did read this article in its entirety. I get that she had a negligent mother. I am familiar with negligent mothers, since my own mother helped raise children she loved as her own but did not give birth to secondary to negligent parenting. But just as Alice Walker used feminism as the excuse to be an absentee parent, the same can be said for any person (male or female) who chooses anything besides being a mature, responsible adult as the excuse to not raise your own child.
I feel sorry for Rebecca. But does the world need to know her personal business? Not to the degree that she's feels comfortable telling it. Does it make me overtly sentimental for respecting a parent even if they did you wrong? Yes, it does. I was raised to respect my parents, whether they be in the wrong or not. I was also taught that you keep your personal business to yourself.
I get that writing can be very cathartic, but that's what a journal is for. It is entirely improper to wage this kind of verbal war against her mother, whether she is wrong or not.
One other thing: watch what you say about us mothers. I am a mother. Proud of it. And it is not in your place to make such a statement as "please don't reproduce."
So let's not take it there.
I did read this article in its entirety. I get that she had a negligent mother. I am familiar with negligent mothers, since my own mother helped raise children she loved as her own but did not give birth to secondary to negligent parenting. But just as Alice Walker used feminism as the excuse to be an absentee parent, the same can be said for any person (male or female) who chooses anything besides being a mature, responsible adult as the excuse to not raise your own child.
I feel sorry for Rebecca. But does the world need to know her personal business? Not to the degree that she's feels comfortable telling it. Does it make me overtly sentimental for respecting a parent even if they did you wrong? Yes, it does. I was raised to respect my parents, whether they be in the wrong or not. I was also taught that you keep your personal business to yourself.
I get that writing can be very cathartic, but that's what a journal is for. It is entirely improper to wage this kind of verbal war against her mother, whether she is wrong or not.
One other thing: watch what you say about us mothers. I am a mother. Proud of it. And it is not in your place to make such a statement as "please don't reproduce."
So let's not take it there.
6
May 24, 2008 - 04:30:04 PM
1maksis: ...
you people are crazy as hell. you are the product of a screwed up generation and it is evident in your responses. this girl talks about her negligent mother and you criticize her for it. how ignorant can you be? May God remove the scales from your blind eyes and please don't reproduce.
7
May 24, 2008 - 12:56:20 PM
josephina: ...
yeah what they said. No one cares about mothers. That's so immature
Oh yeah Happy belated Servitude/Slavery Day
Oh yeah Happy belated Servitude/Slavery Day
8
May 23, 2008 - 10:37:07 PM
soplush: ...
Yeah and that is some round about hate to put this article on OKP when her ex is (or was) an okayartist. If she weren't Alice Walker's daughter she'd be doing customer service at the cable company somewhere.
9
May 23, 2008 - 10:05:49 PM
ill Mami: ...
The most annoying part of this article is not the fact that she blows up her mother's spot completely which is so incredibly reprehensible and in poor taste to me.
The most annoying part of this article is how everything is spelled in the British grammatical style: "neighbour," "organised," "deputised," even "my mum."
Ugh! Give it a break, Rebecca. I'm inclined to agree with soplush regarding her identity confusion...and the fact that no one really does give two shits about this.
The most annoying part of this article is how everything is spelled in the British grammatical style: "neighbour," "organised," "deputised," even "my mum."
Ugh! Give it a break, Rebecca. I'm inclined to agree with soplush regarding her identity confusion...and the fact that no one really does give two shits about this.
10
May 23, 2008 - 09:13:50 PM
soplush: ...
I am so sick of this child. First she gay and all hugged up with Michelle N'Degeocello, then she ain't,this week she's straight and married with children. She is a spoiled, priveleged immature brat who just wants attention.
Girl grow up and sit down somewhere; no one cares...really.
Girl grow up and sit down somewhere; no one cares...really.
12
May 23, 2008 - 01:49:19 PM
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