This morning, on the show, there were TWO stories we covered that were offensive to some people.  Not our listeners, but internet people.  The first one was about a jewelry billboard advertising diamonds that read, “Sometimes, it’s okay to throw rocks at girls.”  Obviously, they are talking about GIVING women jewelry, not actually throwing rocks.  The second one was, one of the actresses on the Big Bang Theory is offended by the word GIRL to describe grown women.  To me, that’s not offensive either.  I call other women girls all the time and they are not offended, I’m pretty certain.

Sometimes, it makes me question if there is anything that DOES offend me and, I admit, I’m pretty easy going by nature, but yes indeed, there are a few regarding my gender.  There are plenty more, but, more generalized than these, in no particular order:

• Women verbally attacking other women.  Shouldn’t we be supportive of each other?
• I am told to be quiet, by anyone, especially a man, I’ll admit.  That one REALLY sets me off.  I have a voice and if you don’t want to listen to me, that’s fine, except, I’m going to find someone who will.
• Being excluded from business events, meetings, lunches, etc., just because I’m a woman.  It happens in business.  If you’re a woman in a man’s world, you’ve seen it.
• Making less money than my male counterparts for doing the exact same job AND taking on 3x as much work just to prove that you are at the very LEAST equal.  (In some cases, BETTER than the “men in charge.”)

I am not vocal, usually, about any of this because I have been raised to FIND A WAY despite the challenges that I might face.  If I see a roadblock, I don’t stand there and cry about it, I’ve always found a way around it.  If I don’t, it’s no one’s fault but my own.

Another reason I’m not vocal about it is because the best way to illustrate that you are just as good, if not better than my male counterparts is to PROVE it.  Holler and scream all you want, but if you don’t show it with your actions, it’s really hard for men to back you up.

I yam what I yam.  A Popeye line, who I admired growing up.  Olive Oyl was weak and whiny.  Not a character I admired.  I was much more of an Angie Dickenson fan.

Sarah