Excuse My Feminism | By Chrystal Omany | A Poem

Excuse me, but
That’s me trying to be polite, isn’t it?
If not, I’m rude, I’m a mean girl
And you don’t want anything to do with me.
Excuse me, but
Would you be okay with me wearing this tonight?
Because society now makes decisions on MY wardrobe, and whether my flattering jeans are slutty or not.
Excuse me, but
Could you buy these shoes for me?
Because apparently making more money than a man is a taboo, unheard of,
And, “emasculating”.
Excuse me, but
Could I have a salad?
Because God forbid I don’t have a figure you desire,
Something you look for in a girl.
Excuse me, but
No.
In fact, excuse you and society,
And screw society’s excuses.
What I fail to understand is how
Simple-minded basic people can be,
And how basic simple-minded people are.
Excuse me, but
Why can’t women be to men what
Geese are to gander, what
Michelle is to Obama, what
Kagame is to Rwanda?
Excuse me, but
Why am I known for playing like a girl, and not
Flying like a butterfly, stinging like a bee?
What if I’m just as good as Muhammed Ali?
What if you criticizing my capability is what stops me?
Excuse me, but
Why am I not “wife material” if
I don’t cook, and clean, and do this, and do that…
Excuse me, but
Why is standing up for what I believe in so fought against?
Why is being the next Malala so looked down on,
And suddenly,
Looked up to, but only if it’s being looked up online.
Excuse me, but
Enough with the excuses.
Could we
Fight for and not against?
Be more aware and not pretend
That these issues do not concern you,
Do not concern me,
Do not concern us?
Can we not act like it is not a common occurrence
For your Mom,
For your Mom’s mom,
For your Mom’s daughter,
For your daughter,
For your sister,
For her daughter,
For you?
Oh, but please do excuse my inquisitive mind.
I bet you weren’t expecting all these questions as I am but a young female,
And most of those aren’t educated like men are, right?
Well then, excuse me.

********

Image in post is by Boris Thaser via Flickr.

About the Author:

Chrystal Omany is an aspiring 15-year-old spoken word artist with a passion for writing. She lives in Kigali, Rwanda, and is currently a student at Green Hills Academy.