Dear Men

Dear Men,

I want to clear something up. I am a die hard feminist, proud to identify that way, and tend to bring women's rights or gender/sex equality into conversations apropos of nothing. I believe strongly that women are being held back, held down, and coddled. So yeah, I'm in this whole "feminism" thing for women.

But I'm also in it for you.

If you want to drive a huge truck, watch football every weekend, and live the stereotypical straight Man's paradise... Knock yourself out. Really, I wish you all happiness.

But if you want to work with children, cook elaborate meals, volunteer on the PTA, or even wear make up? I support that too. I don't like that women are held back from leadership positions, and I am  equally saddened by the response men get if they choose to work in a pre-school or interior design.

I don't think you have to be a gay man (or a woman) to appreciate physical beauty, lovely fragrances, or comfort. Actually, why does anyone think that? That is just weird.

It offensive to all of us that the media portrays women as domestic goddesses and men has hapless fools. It should be disgusting to all of us that a working mother is asked regularly about her family and childcare situation, and a working father almost never is.

So bring on the dolls, the trucks, the sports, the mud, the nail polish, the scented lotion.

Let's just share, ok?

And bring on feminism.

Let's share that too.

Love, Blythe


Written as part of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop