All Females Must Know Their World!
How many more women must die before any form of change is entertained?
Inspired by: Surviving As A Woman In A “No, Not All Men” World by Eliza Wright
As a female, I was born with many responsibilities, whether I like it or not. My gender has contributed to the significant factor why men don’t have to grow up. It begins with their mothers and other female relatives taking care of them. Then as they aged, girlfriends, wives, sweethearts, side-chicks, etc., took up the sword and continued the crusade.
Most men enjoy being taken care of, and many expect it, whether it’s your responsibility or not.
Not much value is placed on women’s rights, and for changes to be implemented, society demands a fee. That fee is often the brutal rape, and or murder of someone’s mother, sister, child, daughter, wife, grandmother, aunt, niece, step-sister, granddaughter, grant-niece, cousin, god-daughter, friend, etc.
How many more women must die before any form of change is entertained?
When I was about ten years old, my mother sent my sister and me to a Roberta Flack concert with an adult male. He took us in his car. He often gives her money and other things for me, and he wasn’t the only male who does that. I knew he liked me, but my brain wasn’t developed enough to understand his motives at ten years old.
She knew nothing about him. That was a dangerous and stupid decision. I would never put my girl child in a car with any men, even if I know them.
I have said this before; I don’t consider myself beautiful, but what men see and what my mirror tells me is different. I have been sexually harassed since I was a child. In those days, they didn’t have a name for it. They do now.
Gaining wisdom and understanding from other women’s actions, choices, and decisions and how they lived their lives, plus what I have read over the years, I studied my world. I had an impatient life, so I had few choices or time.
Getting too much attention, having men following me, clocking and stalking me, I learn what and where to avoid. Knowing other females who were raped or battery, as we call it in Jamaica, I avoid men.
I know that I have a right to live my life my way, but life tells me that everything, good and bad, comes with a price. I don’t mind paying; it’s how much or what I will have to pay that worries me.
Life also shows me the value of common sense and that it only costs me if it’s not used.
Knowing your world gives you the power to make smart, sensible, safe, and wise decisions.
In my culture, if a man gives a woman anything, whether he is in a relationship with her or not, he wants something back. Sex is what he thinks he is entitled to because she took his money or gifts. I know a lot of women who got raped because of that. Songs were written about it; Shabba Ranks, a Jamaica DJ, sang, “if a man wants it, him hav fi pay don pan it.”
It means that when a man gives a woman something, and she takes it, she has sold a part of her to him. The song below diverts the real meaning of his words, but men interpret it one way. If you take his gifts, you owe him a gift in return. And sex is the only gift he wants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_P_AszwFtk
This kind of thinking is dangerous and contributes to many rapes in my country.
This young lady continues to accept rides in his car, even after refusing his advances. He eventually raped and killed her.
https://mckoysnews.com/portmore-mechanic-charged-with-the-murder-of-20-year-old-khanice-jackson/
My policy is, ‘I don’t take his money or anything he is offering me. I don’t go into his car or his house, and I don’t want him touching me.’ I avoid bars and clubs, especially at night. I don’t dress a certain way.
I am living my life in fear; you say.
If common sense is going to save me from any traumatic episodes, I will take it. I encourage my children, know your world. Study your world, learn from everyone you know, and read about. Learn from the choices, actions, and decisions they make.
Until that point, our families, society, and the world had lulled us into giving a false sense of security.” Eliza Wright
My family, society, and my world never lied to me. My innocence, perception, and lack of understanding did. Having an impatient life forces me to learn fast. I knew early on that my world was cruel and unforgiving, and to survive, I must be both. I can’t, so I create my own and live in it, my way.
Women must teach their daughters to study their world. Study the actions, choices, and decisions of the people in it, especially the ones around you you communicate with daily. Study your surroundings, take note and be aware of things that happen and concern or connect to you and others you know — being aware can be a life-saving tactic.
Being a female means, I will be a victim. I have a choice not to be!
Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it. Please enjoy more from some superb writers on this platform.
https://mediumauthor.com/@thisisanneliselords
https://mediumauthor.com/podcast
medium.com/illumination/interview-with-annelise-lords-421238e49b9f