Den des Chasseurs

Hear Me Roar

NOT A PART OF THE STORY, JUST SOMETHING I NEEDED OFF MY CHEST. PLEASE READ ANYWAY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE FEMALE

Hear Me Roar

I've tried so hard to tell the world about how I see things. They assume a fourteen year old girl doesn't understand the severity of the world's situation. So now I'm writing this. I walked in my city's women's march today, and I teared up a little. I was one of a few that attended who were under the age of eighteen there.

I was there because I am a NASTY woman. I was there because women don't receive equal pay for equal work. I was there because my mother is afraid for me to walk to 7/11 alone because someone might grab me by the pussy. I was there because I'm bi-sexual, and many people find that disgusting. I was there because many people don't support planned parenthood. I was there because if someone did grab me by the pussy, I should have the right to an abortion.

I was there because I'm a nasty woman. I was there because women's rights are human rights. Because I have a period. Because these problems are going to be left for my generation to deal with very, very soon. Because climate change is a real issue. Because racism is growing quickly. Because public education is important. Because I want to make a difference now before the problems can get worse in the future.

Because these issues aren't small, they're "yuge". And they're only getting worse! But I've gotten off track. I went to that march today because I want you to hear us roar, scream, yell,, holler, screech, hiss, growl, swear, howl, call, croon, spit, and snarl. Listen closely. We are just as human, so why should we have to fight so goddamn hard for the same rights?

And I was there today because people are calling certain religions are all terrorists. That muslims need to be tagged, like wild dogs, some might say bitches. Well guess what, this bitch? Yeah, she fights back. And doesn't this whole religion thing remind anyone of a war the entire war fought in a few years back due to a psychopath who wanted to wipe out the Jews? But how should I know? I'm just a nasty woman.

And I shouldn't look a man in the eye, wear that new dress, or dance a certain way, because that somehow conveys I want to be used by a man. If I do wind up falling for a woman, I shouldn't have to be married to put my name on the birth certificate, or have parental rights to a child I helped raise.

I shouldn't stay quiet because I'm young. I'm young, not naive. I KNOW what's happening in my world, and goddamnit, most of it shouldn't be! I shouldn't have to worry about these things yet. I should be focused on that algebra test, or the new guy (who's super cute). Or maybe I should focus on those things, ignore what I've written about so far?

But the question is how long can I? How long can I sit here, wondering about that test, before I look up and realize we've travelled back in time. To the times where women stayed silent and respectful of men, and had no say in what was done to them. Could it progress far enough where my potential husband could sell my potential daughter for money legally?

Sure, call me crazy. But it's happened before, why not again? Could I look up and realize I am all but a slave in name to the wills of men? Could I wake up and someone decides whether or not I'm pretty enough to be grabbed by the pussy? Unless I'm bleeding out of my "you know where". It's like referring to my vagina like the wizarding world refers to Voldemort (oh yeah I said his name). Because I'm already a nasty woman, and something I have to no control over just makes me nastier.

Speaking of bleeding, I've recently learned that tampons, pads, and midol are all still taxed, but viagra isn't. And as I heard today; "Is your erection really more important than the bloodstains on my favorite pair of jeans?" To everyone thinking I'm just a kid who has no clue as to what I'm talking about, I don't really give a shit.

You've read this far, haven't you? Have you thought about any of it? I bet you have. Because none of this is a hoax. It's fact. Go ahead, look it up. But trust me, this 'young, naive' little girl is going to roar at you the whole time you're doing it.

And somehow, someway, sometime, I'm going to get people to listen. Hear. Me. Roar.

~MPF

1-21-2017