On Being a Woman...

I'm not a feminist.  That's the last word I would use to describe myself. 

I think it's because I just automatically and unconsciously (until I really think about it) put a negative connotation on the word "feminism."

And I'm wrong to do that, I know.  I'm where I am today, in my life, in my career, in the world, because a lot of women stood up for themselves, their mothers and aunts and grandparents, and for their unborn children and younger sisters and cousins, stood up and shouted, "We're not going to take it anymore!" 

We vote.  We work.  We own homes.  We have valued opinions.  Sure, a feminist can be still be stereotyped to be a bra-burner, a political rant, an in-your-face, gruff sort of woman always fighting the men even when she doesn't need to, but of course, not all of them are...  It's a stereotype that needs to be tossed.

But I do think sometimes that many women DO still fight a battle that has been raging for generations, whether we know it or not.  And I ran across this blog post today on The Wild and Wily Ways of a Brunette Bombshell.  I don't know the author of the blog, and I never saw the article she's reposting, but man, did it strike a chord with me today.

There are some women I know who are living this every day.  And I probably encourage them to fight back a bit more than I should:  after all, I'm not living in their shoes.  I should really support them any way I can, and not tell them, "You should fight back!"

I'm lucky to be married to my husband, a man who respects me, my abilities, my brains, my heart, who believes in me, believes that I can do anything I put my mind to even when I'm doubting myself.

The women mentioned in this article (original author is Yahsar Ali) do exist, even today, in 2012, after all we women went through in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and on...  They're still living with those sly little comments that do nothing but demean them, even - and I do truly believe this - even when the men in their lives don't realize what they're doing! 

We've learned, women, now let's teach the men in our lives to cut this $&*# out!!!  Be sure to teach your sons and nephews and husbands and brothers NOT to make comments like "You're overreacting!  You're so sensitive!  Get a grip:  I was just kidding!"

Bottom line, guys?  If you have to say that after we react to whatever it is you just said?  IT WAS A STUPID THING TO SAY AND YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER SAID IT!!!