'man up' they tell me
like an old record stuck on repeat
I always wondered why they were so fixated on men
I was too inspired by the women of my world
to ever listen to their views
'man up' they say,
but what do they mean?
Do they mean go fast?
As if women can't run
Caster Semenya laughs at your words
As she wins races in record times
Do they mean be strong?
As if woman aren't as strong as the mountains
able to weather even the fiercest storms
Do they mean seek adventure?
As if no woman has ever dared to explore
Amelia Earhart can't hear you over the engines of her airplane
The sky is waiting for her, every day a new adventure
Do they mean be brave?
As if women aren't as brave as lionesses
if you doubt me, watch a mother protecting her child
Do they mean rule?
As if a queen is nothing without her king
Cleopatra has no time for your attitude
She has a kingdom to command
Do they mean be tough?
As if women have never endured hardship
one day in the life of any woman will prove that statement wrong
Do they mean venture to new heights?
As if a woman has to always be grounded
Sally Ride and Mae C. Jemison can't hear you from space
If you look up, they're waving from their shuttle
Do they mean be bold?
As if women have never stood up for themselves
the suffragettes are turning in their graves
Do they mean succeed?
As if no woman could ever achieve as much as a man
Oprah Winfrey proves otherwise
You'd be lucky to be half as famous
'man up' they say
But I don't listen, instead I dream
of the day I have a daughter of my own
'woman up' I'll tell her
'just like the women who came before you did'
And I won't mean be tough, or bold, or strong
I'll mean change the world
