Amber’s Womanifesto
Microsoft, Webster, the MLA handbook
do not dictate
my ever evolving woman-centered language.
My time is too valuable to waste learning another lie
while I am continuously re-educating myself and unlearning HIStory.
The truth I knew naturally as a child was:
- That Indians/Native Americans were remarkable and cowboys were last grab.
- That it was strange my uncle could go outside shirtless but my 4-year-old body was shameful.
- That the only thing my pale skin meant to me was being slathered in sticky sunscreen at the beach because my shade of skin is more vulnerable to a monster called cancer.
Ms. Muscio taught me:
Success is being a loser in the environment and a winner in the world.
I am answerable for my actions- brainwashed or not.
Herstory is the inheritance that we live every day.
Ms. Difranco was right:
All I really own is me.
And no matter what I accumulate I still only possess myself, unless I sacrifice me to the media.
This environment was just someone’s idea. It could just as well be mine. Therefore I won’t rent it my time. I won’t sell it my brain.
Alix Olson recharged my joy:
Now I consciously live life through me so I won’t hide behind a daughter.
By finally giving Fairy tales a happy- damsel- who- dares- ending.
By teaching me that simple minds like to simplify gender, sexuality, and race.
I believe:
To become one results in one less individual.
To reproduce or not to reproduce is our question- And the answer should be our answer.
To educate is pro-life and MERCY, not progeny, is my MISSION.
That true feminism:
Is Unity between Women of every shade, every language, every class.
Is for the good of man.
Stems from the consequences of horrific HIStory.
Is Universal.
Is Justice (which beats chivalry every time).
Is seeing an Old Woman is seeing a Sage who holds hands with beauty on one side and dignity on the other while everyone else doesn’t see her at all.
Is Self-esteem.
We have a right to know Herstory so HIStory may impose on us, but never injure us.
We know innately that art is functional and necessary.
We know engineering atomic bombs is superfluous, frivolous, and the height of stupidity.
We know that the absence of war because of mutually assured destruction is not peace.
Every day every one of US
Must ignite the light
That reveals the dark lies and
Douche the brush of misogynist systems with feminist fuel
Letting the flame of freedom devour our grandmothers’ pain and
Let the earth heal, hands on the plow (not trigger) so we can start new.
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