If you believe the Bible literally, then you believe that woman was made from a man’s rib. Regardless of biblical beliefs, man penetrates woman to procreate. And pregnancy happens TO a woman. Pregnancy happens FOR a man. It’s even a joke that an orgasm is a man’s only contribution to reproduction. Women have to bear the rest.
Any way you slice it, humanity was created in the favor of a man. Women are traditionally subservient and secondary. That, however, doesn’t mean they need to be submissive. And since they are absolutely necessary for the continuation of human kind, they hold a lot of power.
If you can, put your politics aside. The #MeToo movement has given voice to women who have dealt with the ugly side of men; men who can’t control their impulses or have dominance issues. If you think it’s ridiculous or find yourself mocking the hashtag, then you are either a man with little integrity, or you’re a woman who is part of the problem.
I encourage parents to dialogue with their children about self-respect, honor, integrity and chivalry. These qualities need not be dead. Post-sexual revolution, it is okay to raise our young ones with the expectation that they will care for themselves, their peers and friends. It is good to encourage decency, modesty and virtue. Because men CAN control themselves. And it is critical to to teach women the power that THEY possess.
The lines of right and wrong need to be clearly defined for our youth. They need to understand what NO means. How to say it, and how to hear it. In this age of unsolicited dick pics, it needs to be taught that such unwanted actions have consequences. Girls need to find their voices. Boys need to listen. The era of locker room behavior is over. And if girls will continue to recognize their own power, we never need to revisit that terrible misogynistic place.
I sometimes say that I’m glad I did my growing up pre-social media. I have photos of myself doing stupid things with my friends, but without the technology, there wasn’t the opportunity for them to go viral or spreading throughout my school. Phew. That said, memories themselves have significance. We don’t easily forget the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We process and keep fears and and traumas in our memory banks.
I’m fortunate to know a few men who could never be accused of any impropriety because they were raised to respect and honor people: men and women. It’s time to clear up the blurry lines. It’s time for everyone across the board to understand that their actions have long lasting consequences. We need to move beyond the fear of perception and call spades as they are.
A fool acting a fool in front of me, around me or on me is not a reflection of me. It’s the reflection of a fool.
I will fear no more to say so.
Join me.
Auda Here 