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Chivalry is not quite dead, but it is clinging desperately to life support. The problem is, very few even understand true chivalry and therefore see it as some sort of condescending attitude toward women. In fact, the opposite is true. Chivalry honors and respects women, and indeed all people.

By definition, chivalry is the combination of qualities expected of the ideal medieval knight, especially courage, honor, loyalty, and consideration for others, especially women, although not exclusively women. Now I realize we no longer have knights in armor running around on horseback slaying dragons, toppling evil kingdoms and jousting for the honor of king and country. Or do we? What about our military men and women? They are knights of a modern sort; complete with body armor and the charge to topple evil regimes of terrorism. Not much different than the medieval knight. Most military men and women that I have met, and there have been many, posses that chivalrous quality that was so desirable in knights. They respect and honor those people around them and they show it by the way they treat those people.

What people have forgotten is that chivalry has nothing to do with capability, intelligence, equality, strength or weakness. It has to do with respect and common courtesy. Men would open doors for women, not because they believed they were incapable of opening that door themselves, but to show honor to her and allow her to precede him into a room or building. Taking a man's arm to cross the street was not because she was too weak to walk by herself, nor was it because either thought she needed protection, but because he was honored to be seen with her and yes he wanted people to know they were together.

This has come to be misconstrued into shows of superior strength or ability or a display of possessiveness, but again, it is because the concept has been perverted from its original intent. I believe the feminist movement had much to do with that. Many of the issues raised by the feminist movement were and still are valid. Women should not be exploited as sex objects, but neither should men or children. All people should be encouraged to explore their talents and pursue those careers and activities they enjoy. Employees who do the same job and have the equivalent amounts of education, experience and tenure should be paid the same regardless of sex, age, race, etc. No one should be told they "can't" do something because of who or what they are. But those are

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