I think it is unclear how this movement began. There are many reasons. And honestly, it's been an ongoing movement for years and years. But recently, many of us are disillusioned. We thought we understood the world, our nation, our values. We had a greater respect for our fellow humans because we thought we had come so far. We have, but as it turns out, not quite as far as we thought and definitely not far enough.
For me, this attitude of expecting to be respected as a human and not dismissed because I am a woman started at a very young age. I was often told I couldn't do certain things because I'm a girl. And sometimes I even fell for these lies. Sometimes I believed them. But they aren't true. My value does not decline simply because I am a woman. I am a human of value. I deserve respect for my mind and my body. I deserve to have the same chance at success as any other person who works hard and I deserve to be compensated for it based on merit, not sex. I deserve respect because I do a lot of little things all the time that creates a ripple effect for goodness in the world. I deserve birth control and maternity care to be covered by my insurance. I deserve to choose what to do with my own body.
The beginning of my following this movement more passionately than before started when a presidential candidate who treats women like they are dirt and thinks he has a right to invade their untouchables became a probable candidate to lead our nation. Aside from the numerous other faults this man has, he was still voted in by people I know. Those people saw his treatment of women as something that could be ignored. It was a lesser evil for them. And that's the part that gets me. Yes, I was a Hillary fan, I'll admit. But for me, it wasn't about her winning. It was about a man who won who also exhibits several distasteful behaviors and attitudes about people other than himself. He's grotesque. He's spiteful and hateful. Why on earth would my fellow Americans want this kind of person to represent and lead our nation? I'm fairly certain I will be pondering on that question for a long time. It's hard to wrap my head around.
I follow this movement and am a humble part of it for many reasons. Some mentioned here. Today I choose how I was to engage in the world. That's a right I am lucky to have. I am a SAHM who can sit on my ass all day if I really wanted to. Today I do what I want to do. I might fold that pile of laundry today, or I might not. I did some dishes because I cannot handle a dirty kitchen. I am going to be a mom and get as many nuggles as I can.
It's supposed to be a day without a woman, but let's be honest here. Mom's can't really take the day off. My son, and probably my husband, might possibly starve to death. I would be punished with a psycho-wound-up todller at the end of the day. My house would continue to be a complete disaster (oh ok it's like that pretty much every day...) But you know what I mean if you're a parent. You don't take time off. Even if you are in some way "taking a break" from your kid, I'm betting your thinking about their safety or some small necessity right now that they might now be getting because you're not there. You don't even stop being a mom. So, yes my son's experience of a #DayWithoutAWoman is no different than every other day. I am always going to be here for him if I can be. That's a luxury I have and I am grateful for it. Certainly, there are times that I feel unappreciated. I do a lot to keep our lives running smoothly and often don't hear much of a "thank you". But often times I find myself doing these mom things because I like it.
I am at least wearing red today. I might not get that laundry folded though. We'll see.
No comments:
Post a Comment