Just a little R E S P E C T

Today I met with a great friend of mine for lunch. We meet occasionally to update each other on what is going on in our lives – usually with regards to our careers. My friend “J” is my mentor. She is an energetic, authentic, compassionate, independent, and wise woman. Although our ages are on either side of a twenty-some-odd year gap, we connect in a way that feels like we are sisters. Sisters walking a well-worn path that women before us have walked. J is farther ahead on the path – giving me frequent tips to make my journey more efficient. I am always eternally grateful for our visits.

I have a deep interest in women’s issues. I am committed to raising my daughter to realize her capabilities, embrace her strengths, and proclaim them to the world. Yet the world is not always so gracious at opening its arms. The inequalities that continue to run rampant in our world – and inequalities between men and women are just a glimpse – create an overwhelming sense of rebellion in me. If I never went through a rebellious stage before, it finds itself boldly surfacing now, in these circumstances.

When a woman holds the exact same job title and description as a man yet earns 30% less income only because she lacks a penis - this doesn’t sit well with me. When a boy in my classroom refuses to wipe out the microwave during class job time because it’s a “girl’s job” – it causes an eyebrow to raise in disbelief. When a woman bears a child and chooses to stay home - -or not – yet is expected to be in charge of all things home related because she “has time” I cringe at the ignorance. When my sister yayas chat with me over coffee or wine and share stories about what their “other” half said to them in anger, I cry with them but feel the rage inside start to boil.

What is this inequality? Where do these ingrained man-thoughts originate? Why is not the same respect for strangers afforded to the women they love? How have we let our world become so male-dominated? How have we allowed such complacency?

This is the path that I walk. I am grateful that it is well worn because many wise and dedicated women created this path out of the rough. However, my fear is that our complacency is distracting us from continuing to move forward and the path may become overgrown.

I love my husband, my dad, and other men too. I’m not a feminazi. I am an egalitarian who yearns for women to be respected.