Showing posts with label sexism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sexism. Show all posts

Sunday, 3 April 2016

Because you're still objectifying me

I am a woman of 168 centimeters in height, and approximently 70 kilos. I have a round face, small jaw, crooked teeth, bad hearing, glasses and hearing aids. I have got a lot of scars and bruises, on the inside and outside.

I have arthritis in my left collarbone, and the sole of my left foot is afflicted with another illness. I've been told my kind of arthritic disease could affect my other joints, causing loss of function. My spine could get affected. I am constantly tired.

I've always been an independent person. I moved away from my childhood hometown the week I graduated from high school, in 2003. I was 19. I got my drivers licence that same week.

I studied for four years in a university, got a magister degree in political science 2007 when I was 23. I then packed my bags and moved 1600 kilometers to the south. I left my whole family and all my friends and started a new life.

I got a job in a government agency at 24, and I've been working for seven years within a very complex system in a position that's kind of tough. I am being told I am an exceptional administrator. I own an apartment. I have two cats. I am turning 32 years old this year, and am thinking about starting an pension savings account. But the pension agency thinks I don't need to yet. I'm thinking of joining a car pool company.

I am a capable, independent woman who knows her own mind. I have opinions on all kinds of matters. My parents call me for advice on all sorts of things, I sometimes feel like I am taking care of them, instead of the other way around. I almost never ask anyone for help, I always try to do things on my own. I like it that way.

Suffice to say, I'm an adult.

Personalitywise, I am a down-to-earth, pragmatical person. I like the quiet life. I don't care for late night parties, make up and I hate skirts and dresses. I am probably one of the least glamorous person you'll ever meet. I'm not really concerned with my appearance and most of the time I'm direct and to-the-point.

I have ambitions.

In my spare time I run an association with some friends, that I started in 2012. I'm currently chairing my second con in Skåne, while simulaniously working on another committée in Uppsala. I'm travelling a lot, Japan, Barcelona, Finland, England, Scotland, Gran Canaria. I'd like to go to the US, and to Scotland, again. I like castles and being out in the nature.

My goal in life is to read as many books as I can, watch great movies and shows, hang out with my friends and have great convention adventures. I'm not in a relationship, and I don't like to date. I love my life and am happy alone.

Why am I telling you this?

Because, all my experiences in life tell me that most guys never seem to care about what kind of person I am.

I am constantly being told I look pretty. I am being told I should be flattered. I am being catcalled. I am being told I should smile more. I am being told I too will meet a nice guy some day. I am being told I would look good in a flowery dress that billows around me. I am being told by strangers that "I have that certain something".

If I meet a guy and am nice to him, he will in most cases take this as encouragement to pursue a relationship (because why else would one want to spend time with me?).

Because, as long as you think I am beautiful, I am worthy of your attention.

Being judged by your looks is degrading. Being an object instead of a person makes one feel slightly unimportant in this world.

And I am important.

Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Sexism inom nördvärlden

Det snackas mycket just nu om kvinnoförtryck, sexism och sånt. I generella termer är vi alla överens om att det är fel. Året är 2013 och vi är nördar, vi bär detta med stolthet och tycker vi är väldigt upplysta och fria från fördomar. Vi bryr oss inte om vem du ligger med. Vi bryr oss inte om hur du ser ut. Men än idag, om du är kvinna, så kommer du få kommentarer om ditt utseende. Oftast komplimanger förstås, och då är det ju ganska ok (förutom att det inte är det - jag vill inte bli bedömt utifrån mitt utseende). Och ibland även förolämpningar. Dessa är ofta fördolda i ett leende eller ett skämt för att ta udden av det. Men det känns.

Varför ska det vara ok att kommentera kvinnors kroppar, eller övrigt utseende? Går vi runt och snackar om mäns kroppar? Jag finner tanken skrattretande, det skulle ju vara sexistiskt!! Lika skrattretande borde det vara att kommentera kvinnokroppen.

Nu är detta ju inte sant för alla manliga nördar, men jag har träffat en hel del snubbar som har lite svårt för det här med att respektera kvinnor som individer. Min kompis Frida skulle nog ha en hel del mer att berätta om kvinnosynen inom gamerkulturen. Vilket för mig till ett annat problem, den förutfattade meningen att bara män kan vara nördar på riktigt. Det är direkt pinsamt, och alla ni som tror det - kolla på denna video. Don't be a dick.

Sen finns det tyvärr också en hel del kvinnor som är lika kvinnoförtryckande, och detta är förstås lika illa som när män är det.

Jag föreslår en pakt - här och nu. Jag vill be alla, killar som tjejer, nördar som ickenördar - ser ni någon som ni tycker blir illa behandlad? Speak up. Låt det inte glida förbi. Låt det inte accepteras.

I have spoken!