Being A Woman In A “Man’s” World

I have dithered around for a month and haven’t posted this. I am conflicted about it because I fear it will be misinterpreted. I think it needs to be said because it’s truth, so I suppose I’ll have to let this rise or fall on its own merit. So here goes…

I have seen a lot of criticism about the Super Bowl Halftime show. I really can’t comment about the performance, because I didn’t watch it; however, as a female member of society and being a big mouth to boot, I feel this absolutely must be said. The two ladies who performed have been called all kinds of names and vilified on social media, yet I didn’t see one word about a society in which women are demeaned and marginalized. The problem isn’t the performance. That’s merely a symptom of a much more serious disease. The problem is with our corrupt societal programming of women. I, for one, am sick of being told I have to act, think, talk, walk and move a certain way in order to be sexy, smart, strong, independent, worthy, or feminine. It’s ridiculous, and I’m quite angry about it, actually.

Such restrictions have never been placed on men. There. I said it, everything we old ladies were thinking all along. Why do we allow ourselves to be treated that way? I am far too old to be sexualized, but I have a 17 year old granddaughter, and I want the world to be a better place for her. I want women to feel they can achieve their dreams without reaching some sort of glass ceiling. I want young ladies, fresh faced and dewy eyed right out of college, to know they do not have to conform to the pressure to perform. I want my granddaughter to know she can use her brain instead of her booty to succeed, and be honestly rewarded for her efforts. I am fearful this will never happen as long as we continue to blame women for reacting to the roles that were forced upon us from the time we could toddle and hold a sippy cup.

We women have more opportunities in this upcoming decade than we have ever seen before in my lifetime. Yet, people still continue to get upset when women react to hundreds of years of misogyny. In reality, we are merely reacting to roles thrust upon us by a male dominated society. Roles we are chaffing under. Roles we were never meant to play. We ladies act on a flimsy stage with cheap costumes and underpaid actors. If I’m gonna play a false role, I should at least be well compensated for it.

This definitely took an unintended direction, and one that may anger some. But ask yourself these questions…if this makes you angry or offended, are you reacting with real righteous anger, godly anger because what I’ve said is untrue? Or are you reacting because that’s what you think you’re supposed to feel? Are you reacting because you’ve been told all your life that women are inferior and weak? Are you reacting because you’ve been sexualized or abused by society? What is your motive? Think for yourself and don’t spout something just because you’ve heard it all your life.

Who wrote women were to be viewed as objects of lust, inferior creatures to be mocked, or pushed around? Where did we learn these behaviors? I refuse to be compared with Delilah or Eve, both seductresses who made mistakes of gargantuan proportions, but at the heart of their deception beat the heart of a male. The serpent who hissed into Eve’s ear was masculine and so were the men who convinced Delilah to deceive Sampson. And unfortunately, the church has often branded all us women with that same branding iron. I refuse to wear that brand any longer. We are not cattle.

We have made progress, thanks to the efforts of many who have worked on behalf of women’s rights. But even with all the progress we’ve made, we still point our self-righteous fingers in the wrong direction. Yes, of course we women are subject to sinful behavior. We are human. But, ladies, please, I beg you to no longer allow yourself to be objectified and put down just because of your gender. We women are no more inherently sinful than our male counterparts. The Bible teaches us that all have sinned. ALL! Not one gender more or less than the other. So if you’re a male and you’ve made it this far in reading, congratulations. You are one of the open minded ones who can help bring about real change in the world. Everyone take a moment to stop and evaluate your behavior. Guys, are you objectifying women or are you encouraging them to emerge from the prison of the chrysalis of inferiority? Ladies, are you behaving in ways that perpetuate societal programming, or are you saying, “No More!” Loudly. God sees us as valuable and precious, not as property to be bought and sold to the highest bidder. If we follow His example, we change the world, one life at a time. Let’s try.

The ladies who performed the halftime show did no more or no less than their male counterpart did last year. Where was the outrage then? Oh, I see…not the same thing, you say? It is EXACTLY the same thing. For century upon century women have been portrayed as conniving seductresses, bent on destroying, manipulating, and deceiving mankind with our wicked ways. Excuse me while I adjust my whip and boots, and grab a shot of whiskey. See how ridiculous that sounds? And unfortunately, the church has done its share of perpetuating that myth and demonizing women simply because of their own lack of faith and misinterpretation of the Bible. If God hated women as much as some male church leaders seem to think He does, why on earth would any woman want to serve Him? They paint God in the image of themselves, instead of transforming themselves into His glorious one.

I realize this is a bit of a rant, and I apologize for that. On second thought, no, I do not. It’s time for us church ladies to get “woke.” I’m not sure what “woke” is, but if it’s like “wake up” then I’m happy to say I’m “woke.” Please read this in the spirit of love in which it was intended. It’s not my intention to do male bashing. I am a fan of men. I am not, however, a fan of perpetuating the deception that women are somehow inferior and objects to be manipulated and subdued. Never will I submit to that. And you shouldn’t either, ladies. So the next time we want to pick up a rock to throw at a fellow female, let’s ask ourselves “why.”

God bless! Maranatha!