Women Don’t Support Other Women - It’s Just #LipService
“Now, you may be wondering, “Uju, why are you being such a hater? Isn’t any support, good support?” ”
Women don’t support other women. It’s just lip service. A topic. A theory. A reality.
It’s true! Name a woman you consciously supported this week. Take a second and really think about a woman whom you went out of your way for this month. Not a close friend, not a sister, not your mother- just a woman. It can be with anything!
Purchasing a ticket to a women-led screenplay
Buying, reading, and sharing a book penned by a female author
Reposting an article that you genuinely enjoyed, written by a contributor that happens to be a woman
Patronizing a business that is owned by a woman
Attending an event thrown by a woman
Donating to a foundation owned by women and/ or SUPPORTS women
Hiring women
Creating spaces for women
Celebrating a woman for her accomplishments
Financially investing in a sister’s venture
I could drag on and on, and in turn, drag you. (But that’s not my point.) (It kind of is.)
What have YOU done to consciously support other women? That is the question that I am begging right now because I want you to think long and hard about the role you are playing in modern day feminism.
YAS, I love the big uproar that occurs with Galentine’s Day, IWD, and Women’s History month these days. HOWEVER, where is that same energy the other 364 days of the year and 11 months surrounding March? *eye emoji* Supporting women isn’t an action that you just so happen to stumble upon when it’s convenient for you. Supporting women should not occur when it’s an opportune time for a photo opp. on the ‘gram. Supporting women does not occur when it’s that time of year for an obligatory post to ensure your followers that you truly are a socially conscious sister.
I am coming to your house right now because this is a topic, subject, and concern that I am so heatedly passionate about, and have been for as long as I can breathe. It hurts my heart to see women who jump on the nasty gal train when it’s convenient, and at the forefront of media.
Now, you may be wondering, “Uju, why are you being such a hater? Isn’t any support, good support?” Theoretically, ladies and gentlemen, yes. But, in this instance, no. Now, I don’t speak for all feminists when I say this, but through years of research and experience, I can say that an army of warriors is a lot stronger than a room of flippant enthusiasts. SO, how can we turn these flippant enthusiasts into warriors who want to join (me) in taking over the world by day, and fighting the patriarchy by night?
Character is often defined as what you do when no one is watching. It’s not an easy fight, by any means, and some days you just don’t have the energy, and you only want to focus on your own concerns. I, for one, am moved by the impact I have on those around me, and the barriers I break for those after me. At the end of the day, it’s not about me. It never has been. It’s about US.
A women-led film performing well at the box office makes room for another aspiring screenwriter to focus her dreams in university. A business owned by a woman that thrives against all odds, can build an economy, and inspire investors. A penny here, a minute here, a shared post there- it adds up to an outcome larger than we can even imagine. And I am speaking from firsthand experience.
Reference the list above. And, if you feel like I personally dragged you… copy and paste this list to your notes. You can even add it to your calendar, and/or make it a challenge to do a handful of items each month, until they’re accomplished. Soon it will become habit, and soon enough I will see you on the front lines of the good fight.