Rant: But isn't it sad that it's always a shock to people that you as a woman can be both pretty AND smart, or pretty AND successful... and you can read their expressions when they figure it out, and it always looks like they're trying to comprehend advanced Physics or Math Theory: "Oh, so... you're young AND pretty AND smart AND educated AND have a good Job? Wait... aren't you supposed to be gold digging or something??"
Ugh! We have a long way to go. The Media insists on only focusing on the feminine aesthetic, our worth only comes from our looks; but Women are NOT one dimensional, people! I can be a good model who enjoys feeling pretty and pampered AND work hard and not only hold down a 'professional' job but excel at it (thankyouverymuch).
Being a women in America means that you are told that you have to look a certain way, dress a certain way, be perfect looking all the time. It means that your other attributes don't matter. So you're smart? Hide it. Men are intimidated by smart Women so dumb yourself down, and don't take 'Honors' classes in school, because then you'll not only be intimidating but nerdy as well- and being a nerd is almost as bad as being ugly- avoid it!
BE YOU. BREAK STEREOTYPES. LIVE YOUR LIFE YOUR WAY. DON'T LET THEM TELL YOU WHO OR WHAT TO BE. FREE YOUR MIND. THINK FOR YOURSELF.
I've always been proud of the fact that I'm multi-dimensional. Always. I've always had several plates spinning and lots of projects going on because I am many things, and I am good at many things. I'm a woman, and this encompasses many things, not just one. As the song says, "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover, I'm a child, I'm a mother, I'm a sinner, I'm a saint" I'm all of these things and more, and I need to be able to express myself as ALL of these things and have them be accepted as 'normal,' not just one or two. Jumping from 'vamp' or 'model' into 'working professional' and 'committed partner' shouldn't come as a surprising feat to everyone around me.
I have more to offer than just my looks, and I fight everyday to make sure that I am improving all aspects of myself: not only my health and looks but also my intellect, my professionalism, my spiritualism- growth is my main goal in life. Who I am as a person is more important than what I look like. It's time the world started to understand that, and the Media starts perpetuating the idea that we are people, just like men, and our whole self is important, not just our bodies. Idolize who someone is, not what they look like. We're worth more than that.
