a Poke is just a Joke

He makes a strange, vulgar gesture. She feels uncomfortable but says nothing. Why does she allow him to treat her this way?

Men are strange. They give none of their attentions out for free. There is always expectation. And I ask, how can we really be feminists if we allow them to treat us this way? How can we say we want and deserve respect when we do not demand it as we should? And generally speaking, why do we crave male attention when it is so costly? Have we really come very far?

And they say it is a joke, that it is said in jest. And do you know what I say? I say that most truth is said in jest. The system hides it behind their mask of farce, but the system is not as opaque as it would like itself to be. In every truth but social truth, it is really an attempt to control us, as if they are the feudal lords of the world and we their serfs. And sadly enough, in some sick and self-destructive way, we want it.

No, we don't. We may want attention, but not that kind of attention. Not that perversity. Not to feel like that. Not to be taunted. Not to be fondled. Not to be raped.

But whatever we want, and no matter how many times we shout it in their ear, they will never relinquish their power, our power.

Because then the can not joke. They can not call us bitches or hos. They can not try and get us to suck their dicks, even when we show no interest. They can not put our little girls in pretty pink dresses and reprimand us when we curse and throw us in a wedding dress and down the aisle.

But wouldn't it be nice if they gave us what is rightfully ours.

The world.

-10/12/05-