Equal Voices And Equal Strength For Your Daughters

Teach her that equality isn’t just a fleeting trend,  

That fairness and justice should never bend.  

If anger in men is seen as control,  

Then let her fury be part of her soul.

Ambition in women is a force to admire,  

Not just in men to fuel their fire.  

Let her loudness echo and let her voice be heard,  

Not silenced by norms but lifted by words.

If stubbornness in men is a sign of resolve,  

In women too, let it evolve.  

Coldness as a shield and not a flaw to deny,  

In both genders it’s a strength and not a reason to cry.

Ruthlessness in pursuit, let it be shared,  

For both can be fierce and both can be dared.  

For if you see fault in her traits alone,  

It’s not her character but your bias shown.

Teach her to break the chains of disdain,  

That true equality is for all to gain.

-aubs

08-09-24

In my poem, I drew inspiration from the powerful quote in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book, *"Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions."* The quote says, "Teach her that if you criticize X in women but do not criticize X in men, then you do not have a problem with X, you have a problem with women." I related this message to my own thoughts on how society often holds double standards when it comes to traits like anger, ambition, loudness, stubbornness, coldness, and ruthlessness.

In this poem, I wanted to challenge those double standards, emphasizing that these traits should be seen as strengths in women just as they are in men. By addressing these biases, I hope to encourage a more balanced view of gender, where girls are taught to embrace their emotions and qualities without fear of criticism or being labeled unfairly. The poem is a call to action for equality, urging us all to recognize and nurture the strength within every individual, regardless of gender.