In the beginning of 2017, when everyone was appalled by the pussy-grabber, the USA rallied their women. They marched. Together. For recognition. For equality. For strength. For unity. All over the fucking nation and, well, the world.
I had a class. An important class that spanned the whole weekend, Sat-Sun, 9-5, already paid for, non-refundable, one-time deal, shit I really wanted to learn. I didn't get to march with the girls.
So I made this.
The words are comprised of all the protest signs from all the footage of all the women's marches that I could find online after I finished class. This was my way of participating. Sometimes I wish I would have skipped class to be there, but I know there will always be opportunities to show up.
For others.
For myself.
I have more shit I need to say.
Please read it.
I was born in 1980. I grew up with boomer parents, who, in spite of the progressive influence of the sixties, still clung to the era of sexism. Women shouldn't, women can't. It was especially strong in my mother, who was the most present and influential during my childhood. Neither my mother nor I wanted to believe it, but the doctrine had, literally, been beaten into her as a child. She could not separate herself from the belief that women were inferior to men. As a result, I grew up stifled by an imposed perception of weakness.
It took decades to overcome.
It took decades to embrace my womanhood, my sex, my capabilities, my strength. It took fucking forever-- so long that I find myself, now, grieving the time lost-- to finally and fully be able to celebrate that I was born with a uterus and a vagina (and tits!) and recognize that these physical traits do not make me a hysterical weakling but, in fact, make me resilient and powerful and nurturing and kind.
It also took me decades to recognize and accept my own androgyny. The gender-skirting/flirting component of my soul that make me me. But as androgynish as I may feel, that in no way compromises the absolute pride I feel in being female. In being a woman.
It's my body, and I will love and nurture it as I see fit. I will make art, run, go to the gym, eat cupcakes, eat lettuce, dance, skate, sing, love, adventure in this body. I will menstruate and I will choose whether or not to give birth with this body. I will fuck who I want with this body, and say NO to whomever I want and have it be HEARD, LOUD AND CLEAR.
I will be respected in this body.
I will respect myself in this body.
My body. My choice. For fucking always, down to the organ donor sticker on my drivers license.
Whew.
Ok so ANYWAY so you can buy an NFT of this piece if you want.
Stupid cheap but that's because I want it in your home. It comes with a rainbow unlockable because supporting LGBTQ+ is also important. Their body, their choice. But also because rainbows are for everyone.
And, FYI, men, and male-identified, it's also YOUR body and YOUR choice. You have the right to laugh and to cry in your body. The right to be fit or fat or anything in between. The right to wear slacks and suits or dresses and makeup or cowboy hats and leather or all or none of the above all at once. You have the right to say no to that vasectomy! And the right to get one so you don't have to be the absent father. These are our bodies! Let's enjoy them in the ways that make us the most happy and hurt nobody. And if your friends don't like it, fuck 'em. There are plenty of other people out there who will love you for who you are. And if you don't believe me, just visit Portland in summertime.
Oh! One more thing. Just because we're being NSFW-y with the art and I'm on the tangent of don't-tell-me-how-to-be-female, here's another sketch I made just days after the first piece to further reinforce my rights over my own reproductive system. I'm big into hockey, hence the theme. If you don't know what the crease reference is beyond the crinkle between a woman's legs, you can click here for enlightenment.
It's not an NFT but it can be if you want one.
Okidoke, think I'm all done here. Thanks for reading.
CrowTube Channel
Crowstagram
NFT Crowroom
A percentage of this post's rewards goes back to support the community.
All the stuff (pictures, words, etc.) I put in this post and any of my other posts is mine (especially my reproductive organs) and can't be used by anyone else unless I say it's ok.