Chapter Text
Excerpt from “Alpha To Omega: Sex and Genders Through the Ages”; core reading for SOC 380 during Spring 2011 term at New York University
More interesting even than the sexual revolution of the 1960s was the Omega workforce liberation, a movement which also coincided with widespread availability of reliable oral contraception and the advent of safe, short-term heat suppressants. The use of such products, of course, made it considerably easier for omegas to spend more time in public, and allowed them to seek out regular work, changing the face of the modern family.
Whereas omegas in prior generations had largely been viewed as prime mates, drawing large dowries and primarily mating only with wealthy alphas, the ability (and indeed desire) of the modern omega to find gainful employment opened up economic and social constrictions, allowing for increasingly more varied mating combinations and granting more upward mobility for impoverished people of all sexes. Many omegas have found work in fields formerly thought to be specific for beta females, forging long and fruitful careers as secretaries, nurses, and teachers. The rise in double income homes, particularly in the United States, led to huge growth in both economics and education, further advancing the country as a leader in all aspects of prosperity.
Notes scrawled on a series of sticky notes within the pages of the text:
Funny that he waxes poetic about the advances for omegas here but fails to point out how much male O’s social worth have dropped over the years -B
No, that comes up in c17 about reproductive therapies and obstetric improvements… remember the horrifying infographic about birth between OF v OM v BF? ~N
I erased it from my head to avoid the nightmares. Doesn’t change the fact that we got screwed in both the mate and the job market. -B
idk how I’m supposed to respond to this, James.
Do you want reassurance that your sugar alpha will come? ~N
Ha. I just don’t want to have to read this fluffy shit for a course - esp not one where the prof is going to continue rolling his eyes at me whenever I bring up obvious examples of discrimination. -B
… really tho.
You have lovely birthing hips.
It’s only a matter of time, I’m sure. ~N
idk why I bother talking to you. -B
♥ ~N
Coming Attractions Notice, New York Times Art Section, 12 February 2012
OPENING AT MOMA
SG Rogers, Beauty in Sex and Gender
Pepper Potts is proud to announce the opening of her third sponsored exhibit of Brooklyn artist SG Rogers, debuting for the first time at the Museum of Modern Art this Friday. The exhibit will feature the mixed media portraiture that first brought spotlight to the rising young artist, and is a tribute to the strength, fragility, and beauty of the contemporary human body, with particular focus on breaking stereotypes grounded in sex and gender norms.
The opening will feature a cocktail hour and appearances by Pepper Potts and Tony Stark. RSVPs are required for opening night. The exhibit is expected to run through the end of April.
Voicemail left 7:36PM, 12 February 2012: "Hey Steve, it’s me. I uh… I just wanted to check in and see if you’re doing okay. I mean - I know you’re not okay, but. Y’know. Saw the article in the Times today that the opening is going ahead this weekend, and I hadn’t heard from you since yesterday, and - I mean, I’m here for you, okay? If you want someone to come along with or something, just let me know… anything you need, seriously. And if you don’t, if you could just let me know you got this, I’d really appreciate it. Riley says hi, and that if you wanna come over or anything the door’s always open. Hang in there, and let me know. I love you, man."
Text to: Sam Sent: 02:39AM
hey Sam, thx for your message
i’m… i am.
not going to the opening but thanks for the offer.
i told Pep i'm not gonna be good company
she and Tony are gonna take care of it
Text to: Sam Sent: 02:40AM
and thanks fro the rest
sorry ive been so shitty, i just need to be alone r now
i’ll let you know when it changes
Text to: Sam Sent: 02:43AM
you just take care of Riley and my goddaughter, okay?
thats what i need right now
ilu2
Email + Attachments sent 7 May, 2015
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: venting
idk why this is getting to me so bad but i had to talk to somebody about it :( really not what I needed on a monday, esp after this weekend…
OMEGA LABOR LAW FAILS TO PASS SENATE
Naturalist Party Leader Confident Decision Will Save Modern Families
WASHINGTON, DC - A bill initially presented as an anti-discrimination law, originally intended to increase omega presence in traditionally alpha-dominated fields, was struck down by a decisive Senate vote which is now being hailed as a major win for the modern American family.
“While the original intent behind the bill may have been well-meaning, the fact is that the specific language of it moved into dangerous territory; one which we, as a nation, could not risk being put into action. I am absolutely thrilled that we were able to get members on both side of the aisle to see the light,” Senate Majority leader Jasper Sitwell said in a statement released late Saturday night. “The Naturalist party does recognize the importance of omegas having the right to find work in any field which they want to pursue,” the congressman continued, “however instituting mandates and quotas will hurt American businesses, and could eventually lead to omega homemakers being forced from their places as heads of family into careers which they are not suited for; hurting both the children that rely on them and the businesses forced to take them on.”
Omega rights activists groups have already released numerous statements on their intents to lobby for similar, less-stringent policies that are being entertained by the House labor committee, however the impressive loss does not bode well for future votes in the heavily-conservative Senate.
“Make no mistake that we will continue working tirelessly for our brothers’ and sisters’ right to work in any career that they desire, particularly those who are as well-suited and trained as their alpha and beta counterparts,” promised Linda Walker, co-author of the initial Senate bill. “While I’m disheartened by the narrow-mindedness of some of my fellow lawmakers, the fact that we were able to bring this issue to vote is clear progress for omegas everywhere.”
Progress, however, that is unlikely to translate into the workforce in the near future. Key portions of the bill cited a 2010 study focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) businesses, where the employment demographic of the top fifty companies in the US was reported to be less than ten percent omega; the majority of those who were employed worked in support services for said companies. ( read more at ONN.com )
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: [external]RE: venting
Sitwell is an evil little worm who will get his due eventually, but I’m sorry all the same. That said, I still don’t think you have anything to worry about - just keep doing what you’re doing.
Pierce has been so consistently impressed that there’s no way he doesn’t hire you come fall.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE:[external]RE: venting
The ‘protect omegas by keeping them in the home’ movement should have died in the 60s - I wish I could meet Sitwell if only to beat his ass w a frying pan. He might as well just say we’re supposed to be barefoot and pregnant.
As for the rest, I hope you’re right. At this point I don’t even need him to be impressed, just paying me would be nice >_<
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: [external] this subj line is getting 2 ugly 2 read
Patience, young grasshopper, ur day is coming :x lmk if you can escape at a decent hour tonight, I’ll grab you a drink to vent over
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: if u didn’t have a super secret wrk email system it wouldn’t b a prob
It might depend on what you define as decent hr, but I’ll text you when I wrap up this report.
And thank you, you’re the best ( ˘ ³˘)♥