Summary

The web content is a reflective poem that acknowledges the unrecognized labor and struggles of women, while also celebrating their resilience and contributions on International Women's Day.

Abstract

The poem titled "Just Another Day" delves into the multifaceted roles women play in society, from celebrating their day to advocating for change and managing daily responsibilities. It highlights the irony that on a day meant to honor them, women continue to bear the brunt of unpaid labor and societal expectations. The piece underscores the emotional, physical, and activist work that women undertake, often without recognition or reciprocation. It also touches on the systemic issues that women face, such as violence, lack of bodily autonomy, and an unsupportive justice system. The poem serves as a call to acknowledge the tireless efforts of women and the passion that drives their activism, which is not just a women's issue but a human one.

Opinions

The author expresses a sense of disappointment that International Women's Day, while a celebration, also underscores the additional emotional and activist work women are expected to perform without adequate recognition.
There is a critical view of society's entitlement to women's labor, including the emotional support and caretaking roles they are often relegated to.
The poem conveys frustration towards the societal structures and individuals who benefit from the status quo and have the power to effect change but choose not to.
It points out the injustice faced by women, particularly in the context of sexual violence and the legal system, which often fails to support survivors.
The author emphasizes the resilience of women who continue to fight for their rights and the rights of others, despite the emotional toll and personal sacrifices involved.
There is a sense of protectiveness towards women who are expected to do more with less support and recognition, and a call to appreciate and support their efforts.
The poem suggests that the passion driving women's activism is born out of necessity, as it is crucial for their voices and issues to be heard and addressed.
It criticizes the notion that women's activism is merely a passion rather than recognized as essential work that benefits society as a whole.
The author expresses gratitude to the readers and invites them to engage with the content by leaving comments and supporting the work financially.

Just Another Day

A poem

I’m thinking of today.

Of what it should or

could be.

Call me ungrateful,

but what it is

is disappointing.

Women are celebrating

and wishing each other a happy day.

They are taking pictures

creating art,

sharing with us.

They are

advocating

writing

working

educating

spreading awareness

reading the words of other brilliant women

talking about other brilliant women

to people who may or may not know

who they are talking about

as they do every day.

Women are doing that

and on top of this

they are living their lives

and dealing with their regular responsibilities

which often include

their careers

cleaning up after others

feeding others

checking in with loved ones

making sure that everyone within their vicinity is emotionally stable

and possibly getting around to what they want to do.

Women are doing this extra work

on their day

which is ironic

but not surprising.

We are blessed to have women

but we treat them like we’re entitled to their labor.

We, as in both men and women, do this.

Some still don’t consider all of this to be work.

Work is productivity

and earning

and profits

and numbers.

Maybe they think this is just frivolous social media activism

maybe they consider this passion.

But let’s not forget the cultures that require

activism to be a passion in the first place.

it’s a passion because

it has to be

or women and marginalized communities would be easily forgotten.

But all of this remains a woman’s passion,

a woman’s work

and a woman’s issue, right?

It’s women holding this world together

and cleaning up after you

who kicked them while they were down

and begging for mercy.

This is international women’s day.

A day that allows us to celebrate our gender

and our power that doesn’t always feel powerful.

Yet, we celebrate

as forgotten and abused women around the world

weep

and can’t breathe

and can barely carry the weight of what’s on their backs

but always do it anyways

and can’t sleep

without a gun under their pillow

and can’t rest

until their children and husband are in bed

and tomorrow’s lunches are made.

and they can’t play or create

or watch a television show

without feeling guilty

that they’re not

devoting more of their energy

and compassion and time

to something or someone that may never reciprocate

the amount of love given to them

because they don’t have to.

It’s another day that 999 of 1000 male perpetrators walk free

while the survivors are stuck with a life sentence of reminders and fears.

It’s another day that a survivor says she’s afraid to report her rapist

because the system and the culture are unfriendly and unsafe

and he may retaliate, and nobody can protect her from that.

It’s another day an attorney makes money

by proudly and arrogantly advertising his defense of the guilty

and shaming women

into a corner

and he doesn’t lose an ounce of sleep.

Just another day a woman cries over a positive pregnancy test

and realizes she will now have to fight even harder for control over her own body.

Just another day that there are complicit members of these systems,

men and often women,

who benefit from the status quo

and have the power to change it

but simply

don’t

because they don’t have to.

It takes extra work.

It takes passion.

The passion that comes naturally to women

because it has to

like they're stuck with it.

We don’t deserve these women

who do this work

who expect the bare minimum in return

and receive far less than that.

Show me a man who wished us a happy international women’s day.

Do they know it’s today?

They don’t have to know.

They don’t have to read this poem.

They don’t have to be aware of any of the statistics I’ve accidentally memorized.

They’ll say I’m angry

when they haven’t even heard my voice

or seen my face

or read my story

or felt my pain

or the heartache all women feel when we read the daily news

knowing our names could be in there tomorrow.

I’m not angry

I’m not complaining

I’m protective

of the women who will continue to do more and more

and more

tomorrow

through to the next

international women’s day

celebration.

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