Maybe these girls don’t even know how to read. Maybe these girls don’t fully understand. But this article is for that girl. The girl who’s just going into second grade. The girl who still colors in coloring books.The girl who’s still sleeping with a blankie. This is for your daughters, nieces, and little sisters. This is for your younger cousin, your granddaughter, and that girl you babysit.
Please read this message to them, and if that seems too cheesy then make something up as your own. But this is what she needs to hear.
Dear girls, I say it when I mean it, no matter how cliche it is, but you are too precious for this world. You’ll hear this from a lot of girls but you won’t hear it much from society. You are vulnerable in this world, but don’t get me wrong, you are very strong. But, right now, at this age, people will try to tell you things different from the truth.
Do you see those makeup posters all over the mall? Those are just advertisements. They’ll point out the pimples on your face just to sell their product, even though pimples are completely normal. They’ll make you feel like you NEED their makeup just so you buy it. Yes, makeup is fun and most times useful. But, you don’t need it. You look beautiful with makeup on, yes, you do. But, what’s underneath is just as beautiful. You can’t have things and people like that ruin your self confidence.
Do you know that saying “boys will be boys”? Yeah, let me tell you why people say that. How old are you? Seven? Eight? Nine, ten? Do you know of any boys who bully you? You know, like the ones who pull your hair, call you names, make fun of the dress you’re wearing? You’ll be told that those boys like you, just because they’re being mean. Yep, in the eyes of the elders the mean comments those boys are saying means he has a crush on you. I’m not gonna lie and say they don’t, but no boy should ever treat you that way; no matter if they like you are not. This is when you learn to stand up for yourself and demand respect. Sure, they’ll probably laugh, or continue to be mean, but if they don’t learn now that a woman should be treated with respect they’ll never learn. If you’re at recess and you just can’t take it anymore with the boys who are throwing snowballs at you, or stealing your hat, or mocking you then get up and say something. It’s never not okay to stand up for yourself. Just don’t go throwing punches, okay?
“You run like a girl.” “You throw like a girl.” “You fight like a girl.” Yes. Yes, you do. You do all those things like a girl. Because, guess what, this is going to sound crazy, you are a girl. Don’t take those sentences that end with “like a girl” as an insult, take it as a compliment. Because, a girl is what you are. Being a girl doesn’t define you, it’s only part of you.
Do you get people who tell you you’re too bossy? ‘Cause, you’re not. You’re assertive. That’s just a big word for being confident. Do you know how successful women become successful? By being assertive; or in the eyes of the oblivious, “bossy”. How about those people who tell you you’re annoying? Maybe you’re just excited. I get excited all the time. I read a lot of books and watch a lot of TV shows, which makes me excited over things that people wouldn’t necessarily be excited over. I get told that I’m annoying all the time. But does that stop me from being excited? No. Not in a million years would I ever stop gushing over Spiderman (he’s my favorite superhero).
Have you ever heard a boy say “no girls allowed”? Me, too. As a fellow female I still don’t understand what they’re hiding from us girls. But, I’ll tell you this. Whatever they’re saying or doing that you aren’t allowed to do with them isn’t even worth the rejection you feel. I’ve overheard a conversation between boys and all they ever do is argue. Over a girl, a video game, a baseball card. It doesn’t really matter. They still argue. And, to be totally and utterly honest, it’s kind of irritating to hear them argue all the time. So, I wouldn’t even bother.
Lastly, be who you want to be, not what others tell you to be. I don’t know what’s passed the stars, I’m not an astrologist, but shoot there. Shoot beyond the stars. Be a painter, a writer, a singer, a doctor, a politician. And, be good at it, work hard for what you want to achieve. Stand your ground.
You girls are the future, literally. We leave this broken world in your precious hands. But, you better think again if you believe we aren’t trying as hard as you to make this earth a better place for everyone.
You are loved. You are beautiful. You are strong.
Sincerely, Raquel.
留言