The Future is...
My 1st period class was telling me about an essay they had for English a few days ago. It was asking them about their version of the American Dream. The most outspoken female in that class (which isn't saying much...the others can muster about a sentence between them) told me that she ended her essay with vocalizing her wish for equality, especially between men and women. I was proud, to be honest. Here is a small-down high school student that is voicing her opinions eloquently and without shame, not to mention she is staying socially aware. In recent years, I have found myself to be a sort-of quiet feminist. I would call myself a southern feminist....I believe in girl power and women empowerment, but I also believe in expressing it with a certain level of decorum, and that there are certain things that don't get in the way of your feminism, but can be done our of manners and caring.
I digress. After this student expressed her thoughts, some of my male students expressed that they do not see inequalities that "women are always going on about." It silently infuriated me. This proved to me that ignorance can be spread like sticky mess throughout the generations. I thought young people these days were more aware, but it does not seem that way. I am not sure whether to blame the snowflake generation, teachings at home, or something else. I am just not sure, but it has raised my antennas.
I was also reminded today of slight discrimination that might go unnoticed within the people I know and care about. I have seen people I love and care deeply about, who I think are talented and intelligent women, be the subject of sexist decisions from superiors and, in one case, customers. I have witnessed my own family members look at my 85 year-old grandmother with ageism. This is a woman who still helps with our cattle, drives herself most places, can make any outfit or quilt, and whose wit and mind are both still sharp as tacks. I have been a part of sexist demeanor and looks, with myself, people my own age, and people younger than me. To some, I suppose we will be
"Just women."
"You women."
"Little lady."
"The damsel in distress."
To those who have not been taught or are just ignorant otherwise, we may be inferior. We may be silly. We may be out of our place. Too emotional. Not as qualified. Not as intelligent. Just because of our sex. Just because of our age. And that is so ridiculous.
We are qualified. We are intelligent. We are strong. We are loving. We are boss babes. We are funny. We are serious. We are determined. We are phenomenal.
We are women.
I digress. After this student expressed her thoughts, some of my male students expressed that they do not see inequalities that "women are always going on about." It silently infuriated me. This proved to me that ignorance can be spread like sticky mess throughout the generations. I thought young people these days were more aware, but it does not seem that way. I am not sure whether to blame the snowflake generation, teachings at home, or something else. I am just not sure, but it has raised my antennas.
I was also reminded today of slight discrimination that might go unnoticed within the people I know and care about. I have seen people I love and care deeply about, who I think are talented and intelligent women, be the subject of sexist decisions from superiors and, in one case, customers. I have witnessed my own family members look at my 85 year-old grandmother with ageism. This is a woman who still helps with our cattle, drives herself most places, can make any outfit or quilt, and whose wit and mind are both still sharp as tacks. I have been a part of sexist demeanor and looks, with myself, people my own age, and people younger than me. To some, I suppose we will be
"Just women."
"You women."
"Little lady."
"The damsel in distress."
To those who have not been taught or are just ignorant otherwise, we may be inferior. We may be silly. We may be out of our place. Too emotional. Not as qualified. Not as intelligent. Just because of our sex. Just because of our age. And that is so ridiculous.
We are qualified. We are intelligent. We are strong. We are loving. We are boss babes. We are funny. We are serious. We are determined. We are phenomenal.
We are women.
