A Lady's Part
*TRIGGER WARNING: Misogyny*
A woman's body does not break down as you undress it. A woman's body does not devalue as you touch it. It remains what it is: One of the most beautiful works of art in nature. A powerful symbol of resilience, strength, tenacity, and bravery. Like art, we are admired, criticized, photographed, and reviewed. But we remain as we are; never to be broken down by those who do not see the power saddled in our hips, the courage in ores in our arms, the bravery strung through our necks, the readiness swinging in our thighs, and the strength laced in our hands.
A woman's body does not break down as you undress it. A woman's body does not devalue as you touch it. It remains what it is: One of the most beautiful works of art in nature. A powerful symbol of resilience, strength, tenacity, and bravery. Like art, we are admired, criticized, photographed, and reviewed. But we remain as we are; never to be broken down by those who do not see the power saddled in our hips, the courage in ores in our arms, the bravery strung through our necks, the readiness swinging in our thighs, and the strength laced in our hands.
A woman in a bikini is no less powerful than a woman fully clothed. They are the same. They both are warriors, struggling with the everyday sexual, dismissive, ultimately hurtful comments passed at them by people who are blind to beauty. A woman in a bikini is not yours to touch. A woman in a bikini is NOT "asking for it". A woman in a bikini DOES NOT "deserve it". She is magnificent. She is proud, and she is strong. What can you say for yourself, laughing about how she must be easy, cheap, and have no self respect? What does that say about you? She is not what you say she is. You are what you say she is.
I'll repeat:
She is not what you say she is.
You are what you say she is.
(Hurts, doesn't it? Now, imagine how she feels when all those hateful comments are posted on her body confident pictures.)
Women do not post bikini pictures to please the patriarchy. Contrary to popular belief, we don't actually exist to please men, *audible gasp*, we post bikini pictures to feel empowered, and to take ownerships of our bodies that represent everything humanity should strive for: Bold and unconditional love and acceptance. We do not post them with the hopes of attracting some unknown man's attention. That kind of confidence boost comes from within, not from some faceless boy behind a screen with the kinds of intentions I do not need to elaborate on. (You get the picture.) Therefore, if that boy decides to comment something impertinent or sexual on the picture, then that is HIS VIEW of her, NOT who she really is. It speaks to him, and the type of person he is, and how he chooses to view women. More of him, and his lack of respect, are revealed in his comment compared to the revealed skin in the picture.
So, do not think you can touch her body and take away her power. You've been warned: Its force will hurt you.
Our bodies are safe havens. Do not tread where you are not welcome. Do not touch what you do not value. Do not trample on the home that nursed you, held you, and made you strong.
XO
(Side note: If you don't get the word play in the title, it's a twist on the phrase "lady parts" which hints at female genitalia... because, for some unknown reason, we are forbidden from saying their real names out loud in public. Thank you for reading.)
