Letter: Building feminism

Ani Harris
Tuesday 29 June 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: In addition to all the arguments about pay and housework, I have gatecrashed another area of life where the "battle of the sexes" has only just begun ("What feminism offers men", 28 June).

I'm building a house, which means I'm doing the pointing - which means I'm saying "put it here" and "stick that there" (with my pretty little finger extended). There is a whole world out there that doesn't know women exist. "Can I talk to your husband?" ("No, I'll talk to someone who'll talk to me, thanks.") And the electricity board insists on writing to "Mrs Margaret A Harris ... Dear Sir". When challenged, the girl I spoke to said, "Well, we usually do connections for men."

But never mind. When my floor beams were promised for Friday (late, but that's quite normal in this trade) I pointed out to my builder (member of the human race) that if they weren't here on time I could drive down to the factory and sit and cry. He couldn't, but I could, because I'm a woman.

ANI HARRIS

New Mills, Derbyshire

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in