Why is it that nowadays men are given so much power over women and our bodies? We live in a society where it seems like it's okay to sexualize women's bodies instead of appreciating the intricate beauty of it. Not only that, but it's become the new norm to take advantage of women both physically and emotionally. And then when something bad happens, we're the ones to blame because our clothes or our attitudes are mistake for "yes." Why is this happening? Why is no one putting a stop to this?

Going to a school with roughly 50,000 students is extremely overwhelming from time to time. While I love my school wholeheartedly, I often find myself afraid of being taken advantage of by a man whether it be walking to class or going out with friends simply because I am a woman. So much do we hear about girls getting drugged at a party because today's generation of adolescent men don't know how to control themselves. Why are we teaching boys from such a young age that regardless of what the woman has to say, he can have her? Or better yet, why are still mistaking niceness for "oh my gosh she just snapped me, she totally wants me dude." Why on earth is this okay?

It's not.

I don't care who you are, how smart, funny, wealthy, or attractive you are because absolutely nothing entitles you to treating me and every woman for that matter as if we are a prize to be won. We are not. We are intelligent and caring and so much more than just a body even though that's the only thing that you seem to recognize. Look at me for something besides my body and stop thinking that the nicest thing you can tell a girl is "you look hot."

If I'm being completely honest, the more I hear men - who are more like boys, let's be real - say that comment to me or any of my friends, I get angry. Even you look beautiful or you are breathtaking is better than calling us "hot." There is so much more to me, my friends, and every woman that you could compliment us on aside from the physical aspect. Compliment my ideas. Recognize the beauty in the way I sip my coffee and look you in the eye when I speak to you. Acknowledge that my kindness is sincere, and that sexual desire is absolutely not my motive. I know my worth as should any and every woman and I have so much more to offer than you give me credit for.

Stop seeing me for just a body. I am more than that.