Hear Me Out: Olivia

Hello!

It’s been a while, forgive me. 

A lot has happened and I cannot wait to share it with you.

So, for those who know me, you would and should know that I am a feminist. And just so we’re on the same page, Feminist: A person who supports the belief that women should have the same opportunities and rights as men. Any idea different from this is not what feminism is about.

Okay.

It’s been two months at home now because of the Corona Virus, I hope you’re social distancing, washing your hands and being cautious. (Really, I hope you are). In this lockdown, a lot of things have happened. I have gone through a lot of phases and observed a lot of things, and I am going to talk about one of those observations.

My Cousin, her children and I live together during this period. If you follow me you must have seen them one way or another. Lol. What I observed put questions on stereotypes for me. Lmao. You know that crap about women being natural caregivers, more attentive, and all that stuff? Well...that may not have been crap after all. Hear me out.

I had been away from Olivia and Noah (not real names), for a while and I was enamored by their growth. Olivia is an amazing girl. Her energy is unbelievable, she would jump over the couch, climb anything and flip, literally flip her way through the house, what some would term ‘rough’. The caution would be, you are a girl! Be calm! I would interject, that was not a reason, I’m not going to allow dulling anyone’s character to fit a mold.

Olivia would always come over to me or anyone around and ask “are you okay?’’ “Does it hurt?”  Defend her brother who is older than her by the way; be quick to tell if he was hurt and just make sure everyone around her was comfortable. He on the other hand would throw her under the bus at the slightest chance. She even tells Noah “you need to listen”, “you need to be patient”.

I would stand amazed, where did she learn to care for others in this way? Why was her brother indifferent? Olivia is 2 years and five months old. I don’t remember her brother being caring at that age. She shares her food with others; Noah on the other hand doesn’t flipping care if you’re starving.

I honestly and humbly came to the conclusion that she was born that way. That some women really are born caring, very forgiving, cautious, and aware of others and how they feel, and would bend over to make sure others are comfortable.

The other argument would be that she learns it from what she sees around her, representation if you will. Olivia is 2 years and five months old; she has not been exposed to that kind of influence, external or internal. Her mum is a kind, no-nonsense individual and so is her grandma, and I have not seen one of them, break back the way this little girl does for those around her.

In the end, it’s not all women.

Your views on women maybe true, but it’s not all women.

Don’t project your expectation on those you come across.

I don't know what she's going to be like, 10, 15, 25 years from now.

Olivia is that girl with so much energy for herself, and still is, the girl who cares for you the most without having to be ‘refined’, and ‘molded’ to be a caregiver.


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