I reminisce about when I was 12 years old during the democratic primary season. I vividly remember a conversation I overheard with someone saying "we are not ready for a woman as president." It stuck with me for many reasons, the most pressing was: why? Why weren't we ready for a women president ? What was the big deal? As 19-year-old women, I can answer my 12-year-old self. America fears the powerful woman. She is portrayed as heartless, ambitious, power hungry, cold, and evil. Yet, the powerful man is portrayed as brave, intelligent, charismatic, insightful, and strong.

This is not even about politics, although politics is one of many examples where people label powerful women as "unlikeable" or "robotic." When female celebrities date or post a picture, everyone is quick to put their two cents in. Yet, we do not even think to comment on a male celebrity. Despite the fact that both are famous, filthy rich, and powerful. We talk about what they wear or who they are dating, we do not focus on their strengths. Considering the fact that those are the reasons they are powerful and famous, their strengths did that, not their outfit. It is not sexism to fully blame, I believe that people do not want to see that times are changing. The way to keep things the same is to prevent progress.

Women, particularly black women, are the most educated group in the United States. Women are no longer solely responsible for raising children, they do that and work. Gender roles are flexible these days, yet every chance it seems someone is trying to make them rock solid. No one can argue that women make less than men, we do. It is not a conspiracy or opinion, it is a mathematical fact. This is a problem, because what is the difference between a women's job and a man's job, none. They do the same work and typically provide the same results, if not even better results. The thing that stands in the way is fear, as a nation, we are afraid of progress. We do not want to change things, because "that is just the way it has always been." That statement has always perplexed me because we do not run this nation as we always have. We no longer grow crops as the main source for our economy nor do we have duels when we have arguments. We can marry whoever we would like and we are more technologically advanced.

If we can adapt to technology, then I think we can adapt to powerful women. People used to have telephones that only were for the purpose of making calls. We now have phones that are mini computers and cameras. Social media has taken over our society, even the fact that you are reading this proves how advanced we have become. Let's be conscious of what we say, because then others may be conscious as well. Instead of calling a woman "bossy" for taking charge, say she is a leader. Instead of commenting on her outfit or dating life, ask her about her ambitions. We need to understand that there is no permanent in our nation, nor do we have to keep "social norms."