Susan B. Anthony. Spice Girls. And, now, Beyonce. As women, we have endured such hardships throughout history. We lacked the right to vote or drive. We lacked the right to own property. We lacked the right to divorce our husbands. Basically, we lacked the right to an opinion. We have used Women’s Rights, Girl Power, and birth control to gain our independence and strive for equality. And, guess what? After ALL these years, we still haven’t reached true equality. We make less money than men. We hold less governmental positions than men. According to our society, we are the lesser sex. We barely run our neighborhoods. So, why is Beyonce saying that we RUN THE WORLD?!
My readers know my fondness of Beyonce. Her and I have spent countless hours together as she [tries] to teach me choreography. And, she usually consumes my Itunes when I’m tirelessly cleaning on Saturday mornings. I am not a fanatic. I am a fan. (Get it right.) I have to give it to her. The girl (and her team/staff) is smart. Very smart. However, I do not agree with all that she blows through the airways because sometimes she is doing nothing more than blowing smoke.
I believe in equal rights. I believe in women’s suffrage. I believe in women being able to have a voice since we are mainly the ones raising the proceeding generations of men and women. We play a substantial role in the world regardless if we are recognized or not. But, we are not all it takes. (I know that my fellow sisters are going to want to hang me for this. Oh, well.)
I am reminded of a song by one of my favorite singers, Jill Scott. The song is entitled “The Fact Is (I Need You).” And, it goes a little somethin’ like this:
I could buy my own groceries baby
Get my hair tight, my nails right
I can floss my own bling bling
Write the words to the songs I sing
I can even raise the child we'll make
Make sure he's loved and knows what God gave us
I can teach him how to walk and stand
But he needs you to help him be a man
We need you
So hard to say
We need you
Some things don't change
Seriously. I couldn’t say it any better. I am capable of doing so many things without the help of a man. I have done so many things without the help of a man. However, I know from studying God’s purpose of the family; men are necessary. It’s symmetry. It makes sense.
So, even though I love Beyonce’s dance moves to "Run The World" (because it would be great exercise), I have no desire to actually “run the world.” I recognize my strength, my tenacity, and my wisdom. But, I also recognize the same characteristics in my male counterpart. And, I need his help. Just as he needs me. Despite cultural stereotypes, women are not the more intelligent sex. We make dumb decisions just like men (and usually our dumb decisions are over men.) Men are not all dogs. Women cheat, steal, and are money-hungry (i.e. gold-diggers). And, there are not enough Big Mamas in the world to teach the next generation of boys how to become men. Big Daddy is needed too.
I understand where Beyonce is trying to go with this song. I’m just not going with her. Why provide another song to widen the wedge between men and women? Why do we have to be foes? Why does it have to be one or the other “running the world”? Why?! What ever happened to that missing “I” in “team”?
One day, I plan to get married. And, I might even have children. When they look at their parents, I want them to see a union. Not two forces trying to “run” the household without considering each other. My marriage will not be a continual battle because it won’t last like that. I plan to go into my marriage thinking of my husband before I think of myself. And, he will do the same. As the Bible says, two people will become one flesh. How crazy would I look if was punching myself in the face? That is exactly what it would look like if I were battling with the man I share one flesh with.
So, thanks for the song Bey! But, I’m going to have to pass this time. I’m sure all the permanently independent, don’t-need-a-man, won’t-ever-get-a-man, always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride women would LOVE this song though!!
Brie
