How Did Women’s History Month Take Such A Drastic Turn This Year?
We need to do more for all women, everywhere.
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A week into Women’s History Month 2021 and things quickly took a turn for the worst. Monday was International Women’s Day, Tuesday was the hounding of Meghan Markle in the media after that Oprah interview, Wednesday a police officer was arrested on the suspicion of murdering a young woman - all of that in a matter of days. And it didn’t end there. On Tuesday March 16th, a 21-year-old American terrorist went to three massage parlours in Georgia and killed eight people, six of whom were Asian women. This isn’t how Women’s History Month is supposed to go, this isn’t how treatment of women is supposed to go any time of the year, least of all during a month where we’re supposed to be celebrating and championing women and all of our contributions to society. What’s gone so horribly wrong?
Usually, March is that especially sweet time of year when we celebrate the heroic women in our lives, those we know personally and hold close, and those who we admire and respect from afar. Women have made an incalculable positive impact in the world, and all of the battles we’ve had to face over the generations has been no mean feat. We’re pretty incredible human beings. But this past month has shown us even though we may think we’ve come quite far, we’ve still got a hell of a long way to go. I frequently wonder, what would my great-great grandmother make of a woman’s place in the world right now? Would she be grateful for where we're currently at, or cursing because she feels not enough has changed? This month has made me increasingly aware of my ever-present vulnerability, and all of the dangers we women continue to encounter on a regular basis.
As a little girl, I was taught to remain vigilant. From a young age women are warned about all of the different ways we can encounter danger, whether that’s walking home alone after a night out, or being warned against wearing clothing too provocative incase it looks like ‘we’re asking for it’. We hold our keys between our fingers ready for an attack. We do all of the right things, but worst-case scenarios continue to linger in our peripheral. We can't escape them.
Why should we, as women, have to modify our behaviour in order to avoid violence at the hands of a man? Why does it seem as if our lives, and our safety, is less important than our male counterparts? Misogyny is deeply entrenched in society, and is one of the reasons why women are still encountering the same issues experienced decades ago. Sexism and patriarchal violence are embedded into the framework of our existence. The institutions that are supposed to protect us, continue to fail us. As with the Sarah Everard case, the institution that is in place to safeguard women like Sarah, inflicted the very violence they’re supposed to prevent. Yet the government's response to this act of violence by the police was to give the police more power. Do you see the problem here?
We’re far from living in a feminist state of bliss that recognises and appreciates women as equals. We need to do more for women, all women, everywhere. Women of colour, transwomen, women with disabilities, and non-binary women often find themselves without support and community, even though they often experience the worst of what the world has to offer. We need to tackle misogyny at its root and get to the cause of this societal imbalance. Instead of fixating on a woman’s safety as if she was to blame, let’s shift the narrative and concentrate on the real problem - violence towards women by the hands of men.
Community support, solidarity with victims, and justice should be given to survivors of gender based discrimination and crimes. Let’s spend every day of the year (not one measly month) supporting women, loving women, championing women of all colours, shapes and sizes. Uplift the voices of the marginalised and underrepresented, and make sure to check yourself and your privilege so we can move one step closer to a freer world where women can live on a more equal playing field.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter to see more of what I’m up to, and I’ll see you same time same place next week!
Catch you soon,
J’Nae
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING:
- Brain a bit foggy? Things no longer making sense? Well you’re not alone. This article by The Atlantic explores what exactly the pandemic has done to our brains.
WHAT I’VE BEEN WATCHING:
- Murder Among the Mormons is an interesting 3 part documentary with themes of murder (obviously), religion, fame and fortune, and major fraud.
WHAT I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO:
- My favourite YouTube account to play background music from, Lofi Girl (who’s handle has recently changed), frequently update their videos with really good new beats.
WHAT’S CAUGHT MY EYE:
- Good news channels are something we need a lot more of, especially as life is so bleak lately. I recently started following the @goodnews_movement on Instagram after I saw Gigi Hadid reshare one of their posts. I love to visit their account to see all of the goodness that still happens in the world.
ON MY BLOG:
- I wouldn’t be surprised if a spring wardrobe refresh is at the bottom of your to-do list right now, but this post on my blog dives into how to revamp your wardrobe and get you in the mood for what’s hopefully some brighter days ahead!
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