Women who weren’t married. Who knew herbal remedies and minor medical knowledge. Who were outspoken and had opinions and stood their ground. Who may have been a bit different. Who chose to instead do something more than tend home and hearth. Who could read and write.
They don’t do that now; it’s more insidious than that. It’s slowly taking away rights to reproductive health. It’s manipulation and gaslighting. It’s stalking, catcalling, getting aggressive when told, “No.” It’s getting assaulted, then not being believed, being blamed (what were YOU wearing? Why were YOU alone?), the assaulter getting a slap on the wrist. It’s the pay inequality. It’s being defined by getting married and having children, instead of being defined by your successes and who you are. It’s having to fight for rights that should be unalienable, the ones white men take for granted. It’s being questioned, having to prove yourself in the workplace. It’s being told it’s your weight, it's anxiety, it’s stress when you try to get a diagnosis, when you’re asking for the same care that men get without question.
It’s being a woman. Still being burned, but metaphorically.
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