If She Weren’t My Daughter

You’re a woman and just based on that
you’re seen as inferior
you’re assumed to be weaker.
Just like with race
you have to fight for your place in a society
that denies women equality.
Men are often excused for being rude.
Women are accused of having an attitude.
Men are forgiven when they do wrong.
Women are wrong for being strong.
There are differences between men and women
that does not justify unfair systems.
If men are the strong, fast and smart
Why are they the ones getting a head-start?
Some women believe it too as they hold men on a pedestal.
They give men a pass.
Overlook what they say and do.
Always finding an excuse.
They are the wives, daughters and sisters of these men
Who know what they’re about and stay silent.
Some men do what they can to keep themselves at the top.
They are known to support their Old Boy’s Club.
When they extend a hand – It’s not for helping up
But for shoving women down or out.
It’s a wonder how they haven’t learned to do better.
They are not motivated for equal and together.
And that is not from the men alone.
It is a concept that many condone.
Disparities between men and women are obvious today.
On personal levels and on the National stage.
For the Benghazi attack, the Secretary of State was drilled
But she never cracked as she came through ten investigations
Six of which were Republican examinations.
She was questioned for 11 hours
Then again for about eight.
And who can forget what happened with her lost and exposed emails.
But through it all, there was no serious or legal consequence.
Just a war against a woman at taxpayers’ expense.
Secretary Clinton was successfully scapegoated.
Without clearly knowing their reasons, against her, people voted.
Negate her experience, accomplishments, and years as a public servant.
Only for a woman, would such achievements
serve against her as deterrents.
Attacks were deliberate and strategized.
Republicans understood how to weaponize gender
so that someone with no experience, showing much disrespect –
Once you’re a man, no matter, you can still become President.
Secretary Clinton got blamed for her husband’s mistakes.
People held his wrong doing against her during her political race.
Women sat with Trump against Clinton during the debate.
Women for Trump joined to “Lock her up”
Which they said with such scorn and hate.
Clinton stated half of Trump supporters could go in a “basket of deplorables”.
And that was enough to make her so undesirable.
But for the man, he still stands.
Despite all his misgivings, he escaped impeachment.
He’s selfish and inept –
Yet many still accept, wanting him to stay,
As his unpatriotic and authoritarian ways are downplayed.
You men with mothers, sisters, female friends and daughters.
You try to shield them from any kind of slaughter.
Is it out of respect and dignity for women?
Or is it from instinct so like your property, you vie to protect them?
In truth, if they are removed from under your roof, stripped of your name and friendship too,
Would they all be the same at which you can aim?
For you, will they then be fair game?
If one of your women became the target of a man –
Will you grant him impunity as for yourself you demand?
And would you ask her to accept what he did –
Tell her she should remain silent?
Should one of your women become victim or prey –
It would be a dismay.
But it shouldn’t be hard to see, there would be similarities
Between you and the man who accosted her.
He’d be your reflection when you look in the mirror.
You both feel empowered to mistreat women for which you feel no shame.
And when they objected neither or you listened,
With a sense of entitlement you both came.
Just like the man chosen for President – Isn’t that what he said?
“If I weren’t … her father” –We all know what he meant.
Just one of many vile comments
That many choose to ignore, accept or consent.
That’s what boys have been learning.
What they’ve been seeing and hearing.
What our girls observe and internalize
As they develop and form their minds.
Some girls rise and know how to fend
While others become victims, suffering in silence.
One in three girls are sexually abused before they become adults.
It’s a travesty and a tragedy that should sicken anyone with a pulse.
It’s amazing that women can feel so powerless –
They carry new minds and personalities under their chest.
To have and to hold; to teach and mold.
It is women who bear the next generation –
yet we don’t treat them well.
Then wonder what the hell is happening.
But a society is only as good as the people in it.
If people are broken how can we expect different?If we continue to let men be predators and expect women to stay prey.
Why are we surprised when societies’ mental health goes down the drain?
We’re creating our own Hunger Games.
It’s not for others to judge and find fault when a woman stands with a man.
There is a personal circumstance.
But with that stance, she should know
What message goes,
Not only for him but for those who are witness.
And that even silence can be seen as a green light to continue that
behavior of his.
So she should make clear the message she sends when she chooses to
stand next to him.
If you’re a woman and you complain about the injustices you experience along the way
No, you’re not the sole blame.
But often women are there raising these men.
Reinforcing and supporting their behaviors too.
So look at yourself and see how you contribute.
How you enable men to do what they do.