Obligatory Feminist Post
This morning I got my butt out of bed way too early for a Saturday and got ready, wrapped up my apparently sprained ankle per the doctor’s orders, donned my warm hooded sweatshirt, and got out the door. In the car, Karin called to tell me that she wasn’t feeling very well and had to beg off running this morning. “No problem!” I cheerfully replied. I was already on my way, and even though she hoped to be able to make it later in the day, that didn’t work as conveniently into my day so I would just go on as planned.
I got to the park at 7 a.m. and it was still dark. There was one other car in the parking lot. And I was afraid to get out of my car. I was afraid to go running by myself because the sun wasn’t up yet. That other lone car made me nervous. So I turned around and came home. And I have to tell you, I am pissed off about that. Not about the running because I will work the run in later today, hopefully with Karin, even though it’s not as easy to do when the baby is already awake. I am mad about the fact that, because I am female, I have to worry about my safety at times and in situations when a man wouldn’t have to give it a second thought. No man ever crossed a dark parking lot and worried about who was lurking the shadows, fumbling for his keys so he could get into his car and lock the doors quickly. No man ever thought to check the backseat of his car before getting inside. No man was ever afraid to run in the dark because he wasn’t sure if some crazy killer/rapist was hiding in the woods around the park. I know this is a common complaint and there is nothing to be done about it. It’s just the world we live in. Better safe than sorry, and all that. But sometimes things are just so unfair that you want to lay down and throw a kicking, screaming fit about them. Today I’m not enjoying being a girl. Today being a girl feels like one more thing I have to find a solution to. Maybe that solution is an ankle holster for when I jog.*
*I’m really just kidding there. I will never own a gun. But sometimes it seems like a good idea.
Filed under Soapbox |4 Responses to “Obligatory Feminist Post”
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Just as a side note, I check my 6 when I walk through a parking lot, or down a dark street. And I check the back seat when I get in.
(OH, and not saying it’s equal levels of fear/attention, just pointing out that you say “no man ever ____”)
Jake - I’m obviously ignorant…what does it mean to check your 6?
Donna - I hope you get your run in today. It’s a beautiful day to be outdoors. And yes, I’ll agree that there are times when being a girl sucks. Are there any school tracks or other more open areas that are open to the public that early?
so no guns. what about knives? i learned to throw knives for this very reason. also, it makes you look like a badass.