I almost forgot | Teen Ink

I almost forgot

September 21, 2016
By cheya.w BRONZE, Flossmoor, Illinois
cheya.w BRONZE, Flossmoor, Illinois
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

I almost forgot that the curve of my hips was a forbidden part of my body
I almost forgot that I had to hide it
I almost forgot that I had to please societal standards that were set in stone for me

I almost forgot that having an opinion meant that I am spewing nonsense
I almost forgot that it was up to you to silence me, to “put me in my place”
I almost forgot that when I was speaking, the male specimen was talking over me

I almost forgot that when I spoke of African American women and the double injury we have to face, I was offending every other woman in the world
I almost forgot that White women get the pleasure of benefiting from their privileges
I almost forgot to mention the dire need for feminism

Rest peacefully beauty queens that have fallen due to the lack of feminism in other countries, rape charges being dismissed, or the mass femicides no one speaks of
Rest peacefully beauty queens that have paved the way for our future women
Rest in peace beauty queens that have preached for women to stick together to continue the journey of bringing some sense of equality in this male driven world

I almost forgot what a real compliment sounded like on a pure tongue
I almost forgot what not being afraid of walking in the dark felt like
I almost forgot what not carrying a weapon felt like

I almost forgot the absurd standards that not women,but teenagers, are held at
I almost forgot that even from a young age, our dreams are quieted by the booming voice of the patriarchy
I almost forgot that we live in a society where the general consensus is primed to believe that women will not succeed in a country led by a white man

I almost forgot to mention that I am happy to be a girl growing up to be an independent woman
I almost forgot to mention that I am black and I am more powerful than I look
I almost forgot to mention, nothing will ever hold me back


The author's comments:

I wrote this back in June after the orlando shooting.


Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 0 comments.