I was taking my early morning walk on Sunday and saw this in the distance:

And of course, the first irrational thought was: Are those women handmaids? Did something happen last night, and I woke up in Gilead?

For the nonliterary types, I’m referring to the dystopian nation featured in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” A nation where fundamentalists Christians have overthrown the government and created a structure of White male dominance. Or as AI puts it:

In The Handmaid’s Tale, the Republic of Gilead is a total-control, religious government. It replaces the United States across most of North America. A group of extreme leaders takes over after a crisis of low birth rates. They rule with strict, brutal laws.

How Gilead Works

• Total Power: Men from the ruling class hold all the power. Women have no legal rights, cannot own property, and cannot read.
• Forced Roles: Society divides women by their function. Handmaids bear children, Wives run households, Marthas cook and clean, and Aunts train the Handmaids.
• Harsh Rules: The regime uses public executions, constant spying, and severe fear to stop any form of rebellion or free choice. 

Why It Existed

Environmental Collapse: Widespread pollution and falling birth rates create panic.

Religious Takeover: Fanatic leaders use twisted Bible verses to justify stealing power and enslaving women as a “fix” for

So given the fact that we are currently in an environment where Christian fundamentalists are on their “crusade” of undermining federal, state and local governments, the paranoia can be justified.

But deep down, I knew what really was happening.

This is taking place on the University of Louisville campus. School has just resumed, which means it’s rush time at the fraternity and sorority houses.

This is actually what I was seeing:

So, a minor suggestion for the women at Chi Omega: You might want to consider a different color scheme in the future. All you needed were the white bonnets (or wings as you will), to complete the nightmare. (Unless, of course, you’re into being servants under White male domination.)

Another note. That map at the top of this post is the fictional map of Gilead. And all of Kentucky is right in the heart of it.