In my experience, among many other “rules” for women, is to “be smart, but not too smart.”
Don’t speak what you know too loudly, or raise your hand too high. Don’t get excited about reading a Shakespeare play or learning about the origins of the universe. It’s just homework. Don’t read "Les Miserables" in your free time or admit you got an A in Calculus.
Most of all, never disagree with anyone, even if facts back you up. After all, don’t you want friends?
But you know what, society? I say screw that. And so did my teacher in a wonderful class called Current American Problems.
I remember walking into the first class not knowing what we were going to cover in the slightest. I was only 16-years-old and hadn’t followed politics or current events that closely up until that point.
Boy, did that change.
We watched documentaries and news clips, read articles and excerpts, organized petitions, and wrote a journal entry every day about an important issue. We also talked about these issues openly, backing up anything we said with facts. Male and female students were both treated equally and their thoughts given equal weight.
Before that class, I had always been taught to avoid discussion of politics. Not to mention I didn’t know enough to carry a conversation anyway. I had heard my parents talk about things like abortion, social security, Obama, health care and taxes. For the record, they didn’t need to tell me Obama was great, I had pretty much figured that one out. I couldn’t have told anyone why, though.
But suddenly, I had a whole arsenal of information. Statistics, articles, surveys, speeches, even voting histories on certain bills.
From then on, I wasn’t scared to share what I thought, even when everyone around me disagreed. I regularly talk about universal healthcare, gun control, and why Obama is a fantastic President.
This is part of the reason why I am proud to cast my first vote for an unapologetically smart and politically passionate woman. Hillary Clinton has endured constant scrutiny, sexism, and disgusting insults for the last 25 years. There are t-shirts even today that say “Trump that Bitch” or “Hillary for Prison.” A senior Republican adviser said she should be shot.
And yet, she still wants to be President. She still preaches love and kindness. After 25 years, she hasn’t given up hope that she can make this country better.
A few years back, I was taught to fight for what I believe in. I was taught not to be afraid, but to be hopeful. I was taught it was cool to speak up. Thanks to a wonderful teacher, I know there is no reason for women to apologize for knowing things.
May Hillary Clinton’s victory proclaim that message to girls and women everywhere.
Keep shattering those ceilings, and give ’em hill.
