An Open Letter To My Womyn In The Restroom
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Open Letter To My Womyn In The Restroom

Rip your damn pads and tampon wrappers open with conviction!

103
An Open Letter To My Womyn In The Restroom
Lounging at the Waldorf

Dear Ladies,

I am also a lady, just as you are too. That alone unites us, no matter what skin color, socioeconomic background, class, level of education, etc. That being said, when we are in the bathroom together, why is it that we pretend that we don’t know what it’s like to be a lady? More specific, what it’s like to be a human lady?

Let me explain where this is going. First off, again, in case you forgot, I am a lady. Therefore, I have gotten my period, I will get my period, and sometimes I have my period while using the bathroom. So when I’m sitting there, doing my business, I can hear the fear and embarrassment in your demeanor as you quietly try to rip open that tampon or pad. I know you try so hard to avoid making the crinkly sound of paper rustling as you unwrap those lady products.

Again, I am a lady. I know what it feels like to be in your shoes. Your perfectly dirty tennis shoes or those sexy stilettosif I’m at the club, and I want to let you know that it’s OK. It’s OK to be on your period and to unwrap those tampons because I do it too.

I remember being in high school and flushing the toilet then trying to unwrap my pads as fast as I could to try and hide the sound it would make because I too, was embarrassed. As I got older, I realized that I had no reason to be embarrassed. Even if I was embarrassed about when I was on my period, why would I be embarrassed in the one place where I’m surrounded by people who understand?

It doesn’t make sense, does it? But we have become so warped as a society that we as women are ashamed of the natural rhythms of our own beautiful bodies. From the time we’re old enough to understand, we’re taught that the development of our bodies transitions us into womanhood, yet, we aren’t told that with womanhood, comes a whirlwind of trouble.

Do you remember getting told that you would be served womanhood with a side of sexism and oppression?

Nope, me either.

Whenever I’m struggling with this concept that we are sometimes ashamed or embarrassed about our periods, I always think of the essay, "If Men Could Menstruate," by Gloria Steinem where she writes, “Street guys would invent slang ("He's a three-pad man") and "give fives" on the corner with some exchange like, ‘Man you lookin' good!’'" from 1978. It’s a satire piece that imagines men as if they could menstruate and they own it. They embrace it and make it a badge of honor to bleed every month. But it’s a reminder that we can’t afford to do those things as woMEN.

It’s an oppression so deep that affects the simplest things like unwrapping a tampon in the ladies room all the way to the way we perceive women in the spotlight (i.e. Hillary Clinton). It’s a sad truth, and while we have come leaps and bounds to stand where we are today, we still got a long way to go.

So this is my challenge to you, womyn (look it up!), is to embrace your body everywhere you go. Start with the small things, then go and conquer the big things. Embrace the naturalness of who we are and who we will be. Rip your damn pads and tampon wrappers open with conviction! Then go be president!

Peace and love from your fellow womyn,


Jasmine B.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58589
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37773
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959345
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194294
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments