Up With the Uterus

A few years ago, I saw a post on Facebook that equated the University of Texas Longhorn with the shape of a female uterus. 

I understood that they were trying to associate my least favorite team's mascot with something, oh, I don't know... feminine... and therefore weak. I understand the University of Oklahoma's distaste for the awful Longhorn and its subsequent choice of team colors, but I took offense. If anything, the female uterus should be a sign of strength. To quote the GREAT Betty White "Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding." (At least that quote is credited to her. Upon my fact checking, the quote could not be completely credited to her, but that is why I am adding this sentence.)


All kidding aside, if it weren't for the uterus or vagina, this world wouldn't be populated. Instead of seeing it as feeble, why shouldn't it be a symbol of strength and capability? Why is it not? Because our society still, unfortunately, subscribes to some unsaid rule that women are the fragile and delicate gender. In my opinion, its shameful and I am ashamed of any Oklahoma fan who used the above comparison to make the Texas  Longhorns look bad.

After seeing all of the posts recently knocking Michelle Obama's DNC speech, I got the same feeling. If you are going to poke holes in her speech, do it with facts and intelligence. DO NOT, however, knock her because she is a woman. Don't chastise the President for admitting he seeks her advice or "hides" behind her rhetoric. She is strong, beautiful, smart, and outspoken, so I am proud the President seeks her feedback. He is not weak because he has female advisers and equating females with weakness and stupidity is something I COMPLETELY take offense to. 

Even President Bush, Junior admitted to taking frequent advice from his wife, Laura. And why not? She has her college degree in education and held positions as both a teacher and librarian. Michelle Obama has even more impressive credentials. She is a magnet high school graduate and attended Princeton where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts. Then, she earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law. 

And don't get me started on people knocking Hillary Clinton. So what if she is a bitch? I have been called a bitch more times than I can count. And most of the time it's not because I was actually being cruel. The majority of the times I have been called a bitch (or worse) is when I have been standing up for myself or for something or someone I believe in. Admittedly, sometimes the label was deserved. But Hillary Clinton has taken a LOT of flack simply because she is brazen and has an arsenal of chutzpah. Oh yes, and let's not forget a brain in her head. And where did that get her? She's the United States Secretary of State. Not a bad gig if you ask me. 

To that end, my boyfriend, Jeff, is one of the smartest and most level-headed people I know. And for some odd reason, he seeks my advice almost daily. Why is that? Because I am not weak, feeble, stupid or incapable. I am a strong, outspoken, smart woman and my voice will not be stifled or suppressed. And perhaps I am being piddly about a college football mascot comparison. But if we continue to look over and disregard that kind of mentality, it will continue to exist, grow, and cultivate. And I can't stand by and let women be viewed like that any longer. It's 2012 not 1812 and I'll be damned if we're allowed to take even one baby step backwards.