 |
| Hey, look! A Book! |
I have always identified myself as a tall, sometimes blonde, intelligent female. I would like to think that I value my intellectual growth more than other aspects of myself. I hate working out, and I really can't stand taking the time to blow-dry or straighten my hair. My mind is my prized possession, and my passion for learning new things is something that I view as fundamental to my personal growth. But, somehow, I don't think that's what people first see in me.
I stand out. I always have, and I've learned from a very young age to manage attention from people of all walks. I've been much taller than my peers since I was able to walk, and my (natural) blonde hair was a source of pride as a kid. After that awkward stage of Jr. High, I started to get a lot more attention from those pesky Y chromosomes. I learned to adapt to a different type of attention, and I accepted it as a normal part of my life. Like many other women my age, I get some attention from males that is not quite wanted. For whatever reason, if I do not wish to get that kind of response from a person I attempt to remove myself from that situation. But some people feel entitled to continue even when the other party has tried to let them know that they are uncomfortable in that situation.
Now, a disclaimer. I have not been sexually abused or assaulted. I have had a very lucky existence, when 1 in 4 of my fellow college aged women are subjected to this kind of violence. I'm writing this post not because I want you to pity me for being a woman, but because it's so important to me that women are valued for more than their appearance. Women are treated in this manner, partly because we put so much emphasis on appearance. Are you thin enough? Do you have big enough breasts? Is your hair done? Do you have big eyes, red lips, a round butt, gap between your thighs, muscular calves, pedicured feet, and protruding collarbones? Cool. I don't, but good for you.
For just once, I would like to have someone strike up a conversation with me about what I've read recently, or what I think of the gun control conversation. Women deserve to be valued for what they think and what they do more than the way they dress or look. And yes, I know that's funny coming from me, since my future career is in costuming. But I can't get over the fact that my appearance dictates public opinion. I know that "more attractive" women will get jobs over seemingly less attractive ones by a fairly steady margin. And that kind of sucks, doesn't it? Do men go through that same stress of waiting for an interview, looking at all the men in the room who are more attractive, knowing they probably won't get the job? (Honestly, I'm wondering)
All in all, I'm so proud to be a woman. I love and respect myself: mind, body, and soul. And I'm so grateful for how far we've come in this world, and thankful for the women who have paved the way. However, we still have a long way to go. When people tell me that feminism is no longer necessary, I just can't get my head around it. We have so much more to do, and I'll do all I can to help. But what I do have to say to anyone reading is this:
You are more than your body.
