In 1999, Christina Aguilera emerged as an iconic rival to Britney Spears. At the time, pop was considered a largely girlie thing. And the songs from that era demonstrate the groupthink I'm referring to.... Aguilera, she did a song called ‘What Girls Wants/What Girls Needs’, which was an automatic hit. I was 7 years old, and I'm not ashamed to confess that I was a regular follower not only of that song but of the American artist. I used to do my hair like her, I danced like her in her videos, I wanted to be her....
Less than a month ago, without looking for it or wanting it, I got on a public transport bus to go to the office, and that day I had forgotten my headphones at home.... I thought ‘oh boy, today is going to be a heavy/complicated morning’. Both on my right side (I was sitting on the left side, the one facing the aisle of the bus) and behind the seat where I was sitting as well as in front, there were girls who in 1999 were most probably the same age as I was. And all this context is important because? Well, there it was, blaring the hit song I mentioned.
I saw smiles from all these women. I think we all understood, without uttering a word, without knowing each other. The situation we were all in, I am convinced, was different. Some with their children in their hands, others looking out the window of the public transport, others (perhaps) thinking about some pending debt that always generates stress, or simply enjoying the journey and the unusualness of the moment (like me, who was also on my way to work). That's how a bunch of women, with no direct connection, shared a binding experience, which makes us more fraternal and empathetic.
We need more of that kind of action. I could never tell you, dear friend, what a girl wants/needs. But I can assure you from my pavement, that in my life the most important thing will always be linked to being useful, worthy and trying to be good for others; for you. I like to think that a world is possible where it would not be unusual to be friends with women you have not known for most of your life. If we don't confront, question and shatter the old myths of the past that have instilled that we are ‘envious’ or ‘unfriendly’, no one will. It's up to us, always.
My belief is that if we take a really good look at what girls, girls, women do, we'll see that everything would be simpler if we supported each other more often. Honestly, we have more in common than we have against. So, maybe we should do each other a favour and do each other well. I don't know if we all love pop or Christina Aguilera, but there's no doubt in my mind how much we'd all love to have more support than we do; especially from each other. A friend with ease and not prejudice; that's what girls really want and desire.
