Mission Statement (Addressing Womanhood in 2018)
Hello, folks.
I thought I would take the time and post this mission statement that was created for the Round Table Discussion on Womanhood in 2018 (recorded, but not saved...my bad). I've been planning on a discussion amongst other women, concerning the issue of mistreating women, verbally and physically, especially due to trending events in relation to the topic. This has been planned for nearly two months. Professor Anna C. Harris-Parker and Krystal Valentine both agreed to participate before hand. We had an additional voice by the name of Dionne Stapleton who was suppose to join, but due to unexpected circumstances, her opportunity was shortened. I'm wishing to have her included on the next one, so her absence wasn't created in vain.
Things went well. I learned so much from these two ladies. I was very blessed and honored to hear their perspectives on various topics concerning the concept of womanhood. The discussion itself lasted a little over 90 minutes. I was thrilled to finally sit down with them and pick their brains on femininity, receiving different experiences. Unfortunately, my computer didn't process the file. I was very "disappointed, but not discouraged." I became more intrigued. This conversation apparently has to be held on a much bigger scale. Maybe we needed to include a few more people, or many more. Time will tell. Until that opportunity occurs, here's what I used to set up the discussion so that all would understand the intent behind the exchanging of dialogue:
We as men cannot speak for women, despite our attempts through novels,
films, and playwrights. We can’t speak for their choice of style, parenting skills,
educational advancements or cooperate experiences.
Despite intentions, good or bad, when magnifying the value of women,
we have no right to narrate their stories, express their fears, and illustrate their dreams
without their point of view.
I hope this mission statement in itself helps alter our perspectives,
fellas, when it comes to interacting with our women.
We can't change how they react to what we say and do,
but we can consider their perspectives
as well as how we interact with them and each other.
Our tolerance for mistreatment
has gotten so high that we've elected a president
who doesn't mind practicing it. None of us
are short of flaws, but that doesn't mean
we have to continue giving them life,
continuously bringing them into constant usage.
Let's continue to educate ourselves
on what it takes to be mindful in the presence
of our other half. I love you all greatly. Love each other
and most importantly, love yourself.
Allow God to work through you
so that through you, others can see Him.
I thought I would take the time and post this mission statement that was created for the Round Table Discussion on Womanhood in 2018 (recorded, but not saved...my bad). I've been planning on a discussion amongst other women, concerning the issue of mistreating women, verbally and physically, especially due to trending events in relation to the topic. This has been planned for nearly two months. Professor Anna C. Harris-Parker and Krystal Valentine both agreed to participate before hand. We had an additional voice by the name of Dionne Stapleton who was suppose to join, but due to unexpected circumstances, her opportunity was shortened. I'm wishing to have her included on the next one, so her absence wasn't created in vain.
Things went well. I learned so much from these two ladies. I was very blessed and honored to hear their perspectives on various topics concerning the concept of womanhood. The discussion itself lasted a little over 90 minutes. I was thrilled to finally sit down with them and pick their brains on femininity, receiving different experiences. Unfortunately, my computer didn't process the file. I was very "disappointed, but not discouraged." I became more intrigued. This conversation apparently has to be held on a much bigger scale. Maybe we needed to include a few more people, or many more. Time will tell. Until that opportunity occurs, here's what I used to set up the discussion so that all would understand the intent behind the exchanging of dialogue:
When concerning the issue of harassing women,
physically and verbally, or the idea of just being a woman,
many may ask, why now? I contest that question with, why not?
Maybe this is what it took for things to get serious.
Think of Colin Kaepernick. Maybe it took his kneeling
to remind us of what we should be standing for.
Maybe it took Jesse Williams to remind us of how comfortable we’ve gotten
with the injustice in our communities, especially concerning African Americans.
Go back further and recall Emmett Till. Maybe it took the mutilation of his body
to catapult the Civil Rights movement. Well, maybe it took the women of Hollywood
to reiterate the threat they face every day simply by being.
Some may argue that many have waited too late to confront their accused
or allow things of the past to resurface in general. Many may argue that women
have allowed such misogyny to continue for so long that they see no reason
to stop it from continuing to marinate in the organic flow they call success.
It is because of such silence that women are assumed to have access to everything
free of opposition like most men. It is because of silence that pornography
is viewed objectively, being a means to profit money and nothing else.
It is because of silence that conversations between coworkers disregard
the blatant sexism expressed in crude humor and gossip.
It’s time we become considerate. It’s time that we do more than hear their concerns,
but gain understanding.
We as men cannot speak for women, despite our attempts through novels,
films, and playwrights. We can’t speak for their choice of style, parenting skills,
educational advancements or cooperate experiences.
Despite intentions, good or bad, when magnifying the value of women,
we have no right to narrate their stories, express their fears, and illustrate their dreams
without their point of view.
I hope this mission statement in itself helps alter our perspectives,
fellas, when it comes to interacting with our women.
We can't change how they react to what we say and do,
but we can consider their perspectives
as well as how we interact with them and each other.
Our tolerance for mistreatment
has gotten so high that we've elected a president
who doesn't mind practicing it. None of us
are short of flaws, but that doesn't mean
we have to continue giving them life,
continuously bringing them into constant usage.
Let's continue to educate ourselves
on what it takes to be mindful in the presence
of our other half. I love you all greatly. Love each other
and most importantly, love yourself.
Allow God to work through you
so that through you, others can see Him.
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