Our country doesn’t like women.

That’s hard to say. It’s even harder to live through. Thank God I don’t have any daughters to raise in this country.

Our country doesn’t like women.

In some states, a woman can’t make decisions about her own reproduction without facing legal consequences or death. Let’s not even talk about supporting her once she has children. That would be taking it too far. (Abortion is illegal in fourteen states with seven additional states placing extremely strict rules around it.) Our country doesn’t like women.

More women have entered the workforce in recent years, but now there are efforts to return women to their “rightful” place…the home. Equal pay hasn’t even become a normal practice in most places.

Our country doesn’t like women.

In 1920 and then more fully in 1965 all women were given the right to vote. Now there are efforts to take that right away. They say that a woman should be fine being represented by her husband’s opinions and political choices.

Who knows what that means for women who never marry.

Our country doesn’t like women.

Many women have attempted to become the president of our country. Most don’t even make it out of the primaries. They are consistently told they are unqualified, too emotional, not capable, and not good enough. Even when they have proven otherwise time and time again. And even when the men they are up against embody some of those exact concerns.

Our country doesn’t like women.

Often our vocabulary even puts women down.

“You throw like a girl,” “drama queen” and “hysterical” are just a few examples. There are plenty to discuss.

Our country doesn’t like women.

Unfortunately, some of the women in our country contribute to this. Women have been pitted against each other for centuries. Ridiculous body expectations keep women in conflict with each other. Modesty has been inseparably connected to clothing and women are often the most harsh “modesty police.” (Although men are not excused from this behavior.) Far too many women shame other women for their sexuality and, possibly worst of all, our society often blames the victim when she is physically assaulted.

Our country doesn’t like women.

When any woman brings up her discomfort with the situation of our country, there will be plenty of people ready to shut them down and drown them out. We wouldn’t want to stir the pot, right honey?

Our country doesn’t like women.

Our country has always struggled to figure out what to do with rapists. Now we elect them to the highest position of authority in the land. Twice.

Our. Country. Doesn’t. Like. Women.

When will enough be enough? How much longer do we have to live through this hell?

Anne Pimentel
Draper