Girls Will Be Women: Celebrating Women's History Month
Source: TheChangeBlog
Women's History Month has been celebrated since 1987, only 46 years ago. Read that again—it's only been 46 years. This celebration of women started as International Women's Day, which the United Nations commemorated in 1975. After this day was declared, it was extremely popular. Women then began to push for a more formal observation. President Jimmy Carter then made the week of March 8, 1980, the first official National Women's History Week. This week is dedicated to celebrating women and calling for equality. States and other countries began celebrating women for the entire month of March. In 1987, Congress declared March the official Women's History Month.
Throughout history, women have had to fight for equality continuously. We have to fight for equal pay, equal opportunity, representation in jobs, and many other things. Society is constantly trying to put women down or into a designated box based on outdated views. When a woman gets married, the first question is usually "When will you have kids?" If the answer is never, many people can't fathom a married woman not having kids. If the answer is yes, and they do have kids but decide to be a stay-at-home mom, women are then ridiculed for "not having a real job." Or, if you do go back to work after having kids, you're believed to be non-maternal. If you’re a single mom, people may look down on you for having kids without being married. You just can't win.
Women’s rights are often contested in society through various parts of pop culture; this includes television shows, art exhibits, paintings, poetry, films, and music. March 27, 2020, American singer/songwriter Dua Lipa released her album Future Nostalgia. On this album, there is a song titled "Boys Will Be Boys." This song addresses the very real problems women must deal with on a day-to-day basis. Girls are raised differently from boys, and it shows in the way we conduct ourselves daily. Dua Lipa's song opens with the line, "It's second nature to walk home before the sun goes down." This line represents what a woman must think about. If it becomes dark, you most likely aren't walking home alone—you call an Uber or ask a friend for a ride.
According to Marie Claire magazine, 1 in 5 females feel unsafe and concerned for their personal safety while walking alone. Lipa's song then goes on to say, "And put your keys between your knuckles when there's boys around." I can't tell you how many times I have done this while scanning my surroundings to make sure no one will come after me while I'm alone and getting into my car.
Most girls growing up are taught not to park in parking garages when they are alone. Don't walk or run at night. Don't get into an elevator that a single man occupies. Don't leave your drink unattended; if you set it down and look away, get a new drink. Don't be upset by the boy picking on you; we’re taught that he likes you, and that's why he is bullying you. Don't show too much skin because you don't want to warrant unwanted attention.
When will we stop teaching girls these things? We need to start teaching boys instead: don't attack women, don't drug women, don't pick on someone if you like them, and just because she's in a mini skirt and a tank top doesn't mean you can go over and talk to her. With that last one, some boys are probably thinking, “I just want to compliment her.” Now ask yourself this: why do you think she wants your compliment? Boys need to stop feeling an entitlement to hit on women because they think she's pretty. Women owe you nothing, so if she doesn't like what you have to say, you have no right to get upset.
Dua Lipa goes on to say, "We smile away to ease the tension, so it don't go south / But there's nothing funny now." I'm sure I am not alone by saying that when I have been in an uncomfortable situation with a man talking to me, I will chuckle and smile, hoping he will go away. If I don’t, I might die. Literally.
As the song progresses, Lipa says, "If you're offended by this song / You're clearly doing something wrong." Throughout history and even today, people are offended when women speak up and fight for what they deserve. One woman who has fought for her rights is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. RBG is an icon to our society and has accomplished so much within her lifetime. She was a big advocate for women's rights and gender equality. She co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. In 1970 she co-founded the first law journal that focused solely on women's rights. She became the first tenured woman in 1980 when she taught at Columbia Law School. RGB was also the second woman ever to be on the Supreme Court. This is where she continued fighting for women's rights and gender equality until her death in 2020.
Another strong and confident woman is singer/songwriter Lizzo, who is a 31-year-old woman of color. Lizzo is an activist for Black Lives Matter and women's rights. She is also an advocate for body inclusivity. On her Instagram, she regularly posts videos promoting a healthy lifestyle and telling people they need to love themselves for who they are. Lizzo truly cares about these issues, and it shows when she goes into interviews and social media and speaks on these issues. Lizzo is an icon living and is just proving how strong and confident we can be in our skin.
Laverne Cox is a beautiful, strong, confident woman. Cox is a four-time Emmy nominated actress and an equal rights activist. According to her website, her role in Netflix's original series "Orange is The New Black," Cox became the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a Primetime acting Emmy. She also is "the first Trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television series." Cox recently released a documentary titled "Disclosure," which showcases the depiction of Transgender characters throughout the history of TV and film. Cox is an astonishing, smart woman who continues to fight for equal opportunity.
The saying Boys will be boys, needs to be removed from our social language. By embodying this phrase, we, as a society, are writing off the strife and gender-inequality women face day-to-day. Our Society needs to normalize uplifting and empowering women instead of breaking them down.
Women's History Month is not only about breaking down these misogynistic constructs but honoring women for their hard work and inspiring younger women. All women deserve equal opportunity and representation, and they are all beautiful. Women are strong, smart, confident, and powerful people. Like Dua Lipa says, "Boys will be boys,” but girls will be Women.
Source: MyRetrospect