Contemplations

I wrote this piece 4 years ago. How sad so little has changed, only now I see more gendered memes that raise one gender to a higher standard.... no gender is better than another and, hell, can we just leave gender competitiveness behind us?

So much work to do....

So I have a pet peeve and it's been building exponentially over the last few months. Memes that are meant to uplift and empower but manage to be dismissive of others:

"A strong woman has defined, strong boundaries.." So does any human being who wants to have a balanced life.

"A strong woman carries on when things are tough.." So does any human being of character and strength.

"Real men choose to be faithful." So does any human being who wants to enjoy a rewarding relationship.

You get the idea... so my point is a strong person has all those things. They are not uniquely uplifting to a particular gender/race/class/culture.

I find it devisive and annoying - not because I don't believe in women's rights, etc... I do. I believe in HUMAN rights and women are human, just as men are, just as the LGBTIQ+ community are.

I cannot see a move to connective humanity when we continue to box ourselves into gender, race, class, culture or spirituality.

All human beings deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and we all need to have moral compasses, understanding and empathy.

Until we can see each other's humanity and stop this competitively driven labeling by what we look like, what we have or have not, we will remain divided.