Being born a Girl, what Freedom can look like

Freedom is the word I think of the most when I think of the word: girl, woman, female.

From the dawn of civilization, women have been delegated specific roles; roles that are strictly related to the running of a home and all domestic duties associated with this task. There is no aspect of this task that makes a person less worthy, however, the immeasurable amount of potential that is withheld from such a dogmatic stereotype is the one thing that lights up frustration in the hearts of not just women, but anyone who understands the value of purpose in a human life and all the potential it holds aside from domestic duties.

Diamond in the Rough

For this reason, I also think of the word diamond, diamond in rough- "Someone or something with potential or talent but lacking training or polish" In many countries, in many spheres of thought, many realms of philosophy and religion, women are without question, delegated a role from birth, one that denies her a voice within a group of men, and diminishes her potential because of the century old tradition she knows very little of, tradition that has not just become history but has found a way to be part her daily present life.

Think Cap On

For a second, let's forget about gender and all of its elemental restrictions as it relates to work and obligations, and lets think of the brain, of the spirit, the heart. Gender aside, the potential for innovation and development is endless when another point of view is considered in the room of intellectual/social/cultural involvement, development and advancement; ideas are by definition the result of an evaluation of alternatives. The inclusion of varying experiences, of different walks of life is bound to create something authentic and new. If given the real opportunity to stand as equals to men in this regard, society would be ten steps ahead. By "given the opportunity" I don't mean to say by paper, and by law, but most importantly through respectful consideration in the social aspect, and the real mental and social effort that this action alone entails.

Astrophysicist Thinks Women...

Neil DeGrasse Tyson, one of my favorite intellectuals tweeted out this thought a few days ago- "Imagine how much more advanced society would be today if women, who comprise half the world’s brain power, were socially & intellectually enfranchised from the beginning of civilization."

What if ?

There is an infinite amount of human expression through all mediums dedicated to the role and the victory that men have earned throughout history. As society has developed, intellect, science, and research have become the new barracks- the representation of our nation's advancement and strength- women have risen to the occasion and slowly but surely taken part in this conversation. Let's for a second think of this very far, maybe even innappropriate hypothetical- Had this hunger for scientific inquiry, rather than the hunger for colonization and show of force, taken precedence in the history of our world- we could argue that women would have had a different destiny throughout history. Perhaps if physical force and strength had not been the main protagonist, but rather intellectual strength, perhaps society would be completely different today. Maybe a more free, more advanced, more developed in every sense- intellectual, social, economic, cultural, etc. The point being made is whereas force may have a name and a gender, an evolutionary seal to it, intellect has no gender, no evolutionary protagonist.

Freedom is What I see

In a world where women are considered in every aspect of the word, I see Freedom. Freedom to be, Freedom to feel, Freedom of vulnerability, Freedom of expression, Freedom to dance, Freedom to jump, to cry, to run, Freedom to think, Freedom to share, Freedom without prejudice, without dogmatism, without judgement that we are less because we embody Freedom. Don't get me wrong, men too have a place in Freedom- women however, have in many ways given up this freedom to be female in order to be at the par of men, never the other way around, The term privilege is more prevalent than ever because of this reason.

Together

Both men and women are invaluable, both have purpose, both have strengths, they complement each other, and it takes the two of them to create something new, to create life. Let's create more than life together through real support and consideration of each other.

Much love,

Hefzi Molina