They say that our world has “made progress”; that equality has improved immensely with time. They also say women are no longer oppressed; that a woman can hold office. They roll their eyes when they hear the word “feminism” because they truly don’t believe we need that type of movement present in our society. They are wrong.
To many I am just a body. My face is a five, my chest a solid seven, my stomach is not flat enough, and my butt is a six--it needs work. Would he “tap this”? Am I willing to take pictures of myself with my clothes off? She is a prude if she doesn’t, and she is a slut if she puts out. 1 in 4 of me will be sexually assaulted at the same place I am earning my degree. But what I was wearing could have been too revealing. I might have been drinking and drinking now results in rape so I should not drink. If I was flirting with him I owed that to him like it was some sort of contract and my signature had been forged. Many of me are sexually assaulted while I am serving my country. But boys will be boys and I knew the risks of the job.
To many I am just legislature. My body is a rule book and the topic of every conversation during election season. My body is the root of a law that is in a constant battle between a god and a politician. My body is decided on by a man behind a desk with a college degree.
To many I am weak. I am incapable of doing anything that requires strength. I need a protector and I cannot be my own. My only job is to take care of the kids and wait for my husband to return home. I am too unstable to be capable of running a country.
To me, I am not just a body, I am a human being. I could be 1 out of 4 and it is not my fault. I want to serve for a country that will allow me to serve with no fear of “boys being boys”. I am more than just a piece of paper that must be approved by two houses and a man in a suit. I am strong and capable. And I can both love my children and have career goals.
To many, the battle against women has ended.
To us, the battle has just begun.
