Women and girls everywhere are tired of being treated like items. Certain things you just should not say to another human being, male or female. So, I decided to come up with a list of things we are tired of hearing.
1. "You're pretty smart for a dumb blonde!"
These jokes, contrary to popular belief, are not funny! Being smart has absolutely nothing to do with your hair color. Enforcing this stereotype can be considered incredibly rude, and I promise you that no one finds it flattering. Just look at Elle Woods! She has beautiful blonde hair and still graduated from Harvard! Correlation does not equal causation.
2. "Are you sure you can lift that?"
Yes, biologically, men are made physically stronger. However, that does not mean that there are not women who are not just as strong, if not stronger, when compared to men. If we need help, we can ask for it. But if we do not ask, do not suggest that we can not handle it.
3. "Don't cut your hair too short, you'll look like a boy!"
Women with shorter hair and pixie cuts are actually thought to have more confidence. Hairstyles should never determine whether or not you are "feminine enough." Some of the most beautiful women in history have had short hair. You have to think of it as a form of expression. Anyone can have short hair because it does not determine your gender or your sexuality.
4. "Feminists are bad."
There is a difference between equality and supremacy. Not every feminist thinks that women are better than men. Women have spent years trying to close the wage gap and force the world to realize we are just as important as men. Everyone who believes in equality should be a feminist. Just because we are different, does not mean we are any less important than men.
5. "Does the carpet match the drapes?"
You know what women have? We have boundaries. Asking someone that question is very awkward and very personal. We are still human beings who, believe it or not, do not enjoy being objectified. No one want that to be said to their mother or sister, so why say it to someone you just met? Boundaries are important to everyone, and they must be respected regardless of your gender, race, or sexuality.
6. "Oh baby, don't say that about yourself. You are perfect and beautiful!"
First off, trust me, we know how beautiful and amazing we are. This statement is said to a lot of women right after they say "I'm a slut", "I'm weird", or "I'm such a nerd". We can be a nerd or geek and still be beautiful. No one ever said that we find ourselves unattractive, even if we read superhero comic books and draw Pokemon on our papers. As for the slut comment, no one said we called ourselves unattractive then either. The media and objectification itself has sexualized us, but the moment we do it to ourselves, we're bashing our own choices. It's our body, therefore we can do with it what we please, with or without your approval.
7. "You must be on your period."
This is, by far, the worst thing you can say to a woman. Once a month, our uterus decided to shed it's lining. The muscle contracts to pump blood out of us for five to seven days, causing some of the worst pain we have ever felt. On top of that, our hormones are all over the place, causing mood changes, bloating, cravings, and acne. Through extreme pain and blood, we still manage to go through our day with a smile on our face, hiding a simple, biological process from everyone around us because the female body makes people uncomfortable. Emotions and feelings are all justified because no one can tell you that you do not feel them. Anyone being angry is not a result of them bleeding for a week, it is most likely the result of anyone thinking that it is okay for you to say that after you made them angry.
Women are still people. People get tired of being treated like they are less than all the time, which is why things have to change. I hope after reading this that you realize that words matter and impact people more than you will ever know. Women will not stop fighting until we are equal in every playing field, because that is exactly what we deserve.
