Moon River...and All My Sisters and Me

Call me "old fashioned" but I still think that kindness is more attractive than a pretty face. I know, ridiculous. Absurd. The audacity! But yes, it's true. I can't get this atrocious idea out of my head.

I mean last time I checked only self absorbed, loose, snobby, and gossipy biotches mattered these days. Somebody help me here. Why can't I get with the Twenty First Century?

But seriously. Whatever happened to class?  Now don't get me wrong. The olden days were a hot mess, and I have absolutely no interest in sitting in the back of the bus while "them white folks" sit in their self claimed thrones. I have no interest in being a docile housewife or a sex symbol. Please I'm an African-American Feminist who knows the difference between hell and a well progressed America. (I use the term well progressed very loosley) However I think there were some good qualities and characteristics of this time that have been long forgotten.

A small price to pay for freedom and justice, of course.

Because Lord knows women aren't objectified, made into sex symbols, and exploited anymore. And God forbid blacks would ever have to experience a thing like racism again. One just doesn't see these sorts of things nowadays. America's moved on.

But can someone explain to me why in God's name women thinks it's okay to call another woman a "slut" or a "whore" or even a "bitch"? It completely baffles me. At least in the olden days women said it without saying it, and only men were assholes enough to actually say it.

But would someone also explain to me why in the heckedy heck women think it's okay to go out in revealing tops, short skirts, or for the love of God share nudes? I'm not judging, it's your body do what you please. But also remember that that's in a sense a reflection of every woman's body. When you promote your sex you're promoting all of our sex. When you let a man call you his "hoe," or pinch your butt, or look at those revealing pictures of you, you're basically telling him it's okay to continuing to act like that and to treat other women like that as well.

Of course men aren't off the hook and they need to understand that not all women are the same and to respect boundaries and all of that. But some men (a lot I hate to say, but not all) don't understand about limits and respect. Which is a reflection of our society's low respect for women, and lack of positive examples for men.

Sure. Shrug your shoulder over all this. What am I saying that nobody is saying? Well my friend, when I see a difference then I'll shut up.

But aside from my overly feminist points of views I have other complaints. In fact, many others.

Why do women hate each other? Why can't we all just get along? Why can't we bring each other up instead of tear each other down? Why can't we for once in our freaking lives not spread that rumor you heard from so-and-so who heard it from such-and-such? Why am I the most guilty and flawed in all these categories? Why do I look at that girl in my English class and think "bitch" when I haven't shared two words with her in my life. Why did I tell my best friend that story I heard from my other friend who heard it from her other friend? Why do I see someone kissing (and I mean kissing) their boyfriend in the hallway and think, "Wow, save it for the bedroom?" Why when I hear that someone might be pregnant do I think, (and maybe tell that best friend of mine) "No good rotten Whore of Babylon"?

On the outside I'm a nice person, (people can delve their own opinions on that one) but in the inside I'm every single Disney villainess and villain combined. I want to see that girl fall on her face when she steps up to audition for the school musical. I'm sure she feels the same. I'm secretly pleased when I see that perfect girl, who I saw talking to the boy I've been crushing on for three days, get a not so subtle zit on her forehead. Even if the guy doesn't know I exist, she's still the spawn of Satan.

Long story short, I'm a phony. I call myself of feminist, but I silently (as in, in my mind) slutbash, sabotage, and judge every girl at every opportunity I get. It's human nature I guess. I wish I were perfect. But I'm not. Neither is anyone though.

Well...maybe Ellen.

I say all this, to say this: be kind to one another. Think what you want, but verbally uplift each other. Love each other. Despise each other secretly, but outwardly love each other. Take this advice and you might go places in life.

Or...

Be happy with yourself. Be kind and uplift yourself. Love yourself. Value yourself. Maybe then the "loving thine [most unadulterated loathsome] enemy" might come easier. I don't know. I'll let you know when I try it.

This post was supposed to be about Audrey Hepburn...

Here's a quote by her, "I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls."

Here's another one, "The most important thing is to enjoy your life, to be happy, it's all that matters."

Here's another, "For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

I could post many more beautiful quotes like this, but you have a search engine, so go find your own.

This woman is a symbol in which women nowadays should aspire to be like and better. Just because a guy says an actress is hot, just because a model wears a size 32 D cup and you're a size 32 A, just because she wears minimal clothing and makes music videos, just because--whatever--does not mean you should strive to be like that individual. Kudos to them for being brilliant at whatever, but don't let their icon status make you feel in anyway inferior or less brilliant.

Marilyn Monroe once said, "We are all of us stars, and we all deserve to twinkle."

So just remember that.

And remember that for that girl you were about to call "fat" or a "whore"...or a "fat whore." Whether it be behind her back, to her face, or in your head.

And remember what true beauty really is, because you certainly won't find it in a teen magazine. Not to sound sappy but...you know what? Figure it out yourself. That's actually what I was going to say. Look within yourself, deep in your heart, and you will either see the fairest Disney princess of the land...or Gollum. You'll probably find Gollum, and when you do know that that's a pure reflection on what you look like to the world when you degrade a fellow sister.

With that, adieu.