The boys all know that they have nothing to fear: Patriarchal
values washed down with a beer.
I'm standing in the doorway confused and ashamed wondering
why I ever came here. I've been told I look at isolated
incidents and frown, but I just see isolated people
who can't meet eye to eye without their pupils dilated
or one of them holding the other one down.
I wish that I could turn and walk away,
but it's not just here, I see these people everyday.
I need to make amends and I need to know how deep these
sexist attitudes have been ingrained in me.
She says the phrase 'he or she' makes her mad,
I can see what she means. Growing up an afterthought
can't be good for self esteem.
I said "you challenged me and I'm glad the prison of
language has bars that we can see.
" She says "Your averted eyes tell me more than all
the things you said before.
" I'm up against nineteen years of script and stifled
tears and I can't make a difference today,
but I can feel a river of hope and it's running down my face.