What did I think it was like to be a woman? The one to bear the child, the one who catered to the family, the caregiver, the lover, the teacher, and the one who brought success upon herself.

What I didn’t know was that society had something else in mind; what I didn’t know was that the definition of woman, to my reality, was the inferior, the private sphere, the weak, and the crippled.

Oh, what I didn’t know only set me further from the truth and when it struck I knew that there had to be a way to show my people I could pave a way. I could make a success story all my own and still be seen as superior.

And as an African American woman I dare someone shoot me down after all my ancestors have fought, there is no way, NO WAY I will be stopped.

How dare you look at the color of my skin and tell me what power I don’t have. Better yet, you judge me as a woman and misunderstand my masculine gestures.

Why can’t this still be feminine? Why is it that when I want to become demanding, I become him again?

So it’s the way that I talk,

the way I present myself,

it’s the way I become ME

Funny to say that you don’t care because I believe you are still are envious of all three.

So now I ask what makes me woman?

My curves? My shape? What do you enjoy most?

I know the first thought isn’t intellect or my UGA degree that I boast.

Most men just look for the legs, and something to lay with in bed. The women in the magazines with lingerie barely hanging.

Not exploitation you say

But when a mother wants to breast feed,

“How dare you not put that away?!”

But what good is a man who isn’t dominant?

The strong muscles that hold me tight,

Oh what I would do for a night.

No need to worry about what holds true to the difference, because man will be man and women will be another check off their wish list.

Right?

You see, man wants to take charge

Show that he’s masculine and resilient to violence

But when it comes to the rights of a woman,

he becomes silenced.

Interesting.

You see this is the expression of self.

And what I pledge is a life of enlightenment and freedom to be who I choose. Let all of the stigmas vanish and live freely.

My beauty lies within my hands. My physicality is my own. My walk is my own. My talk is my own. I am ME.

Every woman should know her worth and not feel objectified. This is a statement to all who have ever felt inferior. Look in the mirror girl. You are invincible.

Here are a few affirming words to say:

I have overcome.

I am exceptional. I am beautiful. I am a defiant.

I AM WOMAN.