#MeNot
Personally, I’ve never felt disrespected as a woman and I realize I am lucky I don’t live in an oppressive country where my human rights are stripped away from me.
In the midst of this sudden Hollywood-inspired quest for gender equality, however, it is important to note that not all the disrespect women receive come from the outside, especially not in the western world.
If you are a woman, see how many of these statements really apply to you:
- I never, intentionally, lead male friends (or colleagues) on. Not even a little.
Not even when I am lonely or need to reaffirm my self-worth. - If I make a mistake, that doesn't mean I have failed. I can talk about it without the need to have someone else reassuring me of my value, or minimizing what I have done.
- I can be crass or uncouth if I want to, because my worth is not defined by my femininity.
- I consider kids a responsibility, not a way to feel accomplished of myself when I didn't reach the life achievements I was aiming for.
- Nobody has to accompany me to a place just because I don't know how to handle the situation. Not to the bank, not to the mechanic, not anywhere.
There is a demeaning attitude towards women that originates within ourselves: there is this stereotypical pattern we are supposed to follow (to be attractive and get pregnant) that is the metric of our worth, no matter what else we do in life; so we indulge in the weak-sex card occasionally and use our gender as a way to get special treatment and comfort, in a spiral that brings our self-respect as capable individuals down and down.
Sometimes we are so engrossed in this pathetic character we are supposed to play, that we become the pathetic character. After all, the only way you can constantly occupy the handicapped parking spot and expect not to pay a fine, is to be treated like an impaired person.
With this I am not condoning any misconduct against women: if someone is violent or coercing towards anyone, they are committing a crime.
I am saying that the foundation of one’s self respect is to behave like you are at the same level as others; with same rights, but also same burdens and same standards.
You are not a woman, that label ends at your genitals.
If you want a better society, you should try to be a better human being.