Inspired by the Vice Presidential debate, with the presidential debate still fresh in my mind.
I’ve been told what to wear, where to sit, when to speak, what to say, for my entire life
Been told I was wrong so many times that when I get a compliment at work
I don’t know how to react
Been second guessed about nearly every major decision I’ve ever made
Been made to feel small when I tried to stand proud and tall
Been asked to do more and more and more, it was never enough
When I made a step forward, a man tried to push me back or jump ahead of me
Been leered at, jeered at, mansplained
And I’m still here.
My brain still works,
I can walk, talk, and vote
I can sing and dance and run circles around whoever I want to
Leering, jeering, talking over me, and putting me down
Add fuel to my fire
Give me a reason to exist
No bully is going to keep me down
Sticks and stones can break my bones
Names can break my heart
But nothing can break my spirit for long
No one has the right to tell me how to think, what to think, and how God will judge me.
Stop with the hypocrisy, the bullying, and the idea that you are superior.
Bullying doesn’t make it so.
Talking over me won’t make it so.
Ignoring my requests to let me speak won’t make it so
Twisting my words and interpreting them through your tunnel vision lens won’t make it so
So stop your leering, jeering, and bullying
And get out of my way.
I have somewhere I need to go
And things I need to do
For myself, for my children, for my community, for my country.
