I think the burden is simply difference, and the struggle is to define oneself and that difference in a way that is empowering. But where that difference shows up? Isn't necessarily the same for different people, so perhaps for one woman it's her boobs, for another being a mother, for another it's not being one, etc.

enh. Rereading this, it feels a bit oversimplified and vapid, but maybe you get my meaning.

I'm pretty sure about my humanity, but there are plenty of people in the world I wouldn't trust on the subject.

Yeah, I thought about it more and you're right. In many ways we're lucky that we can assume that for the most part our humanity is recognized.

In many ways we're lucky that we can assume that for the most part our humanity is recognized.

Maybe compared to women elsewhere, but I do question whether my humanity is recognized when a)someone can decide they don't want to do their fucking job and give me my prescribed medicine. b) men seem feel they are entitled to my body because they don't drive a motorcycle and manage to be polite or c) it seems perfectly rational to outlaw a method for me to keep my body healthy.

Things like that kinda make me feel like my humanity is in question.

So we're like Mutants then.

To me, my Wo-Men!

I refuse to wear yellow spandex. IJS.

I think I get what you're saying, DJ. The idea that influential decision makers have rated your reproductive system second-grade.

Hey, you're the redhead. You get the green mini-skirt and yellow go-go boots.

I don't feel a burden to prove my humanity, at least not in the context that was used in the article. I'm pretty confident that everyone in my personal and professional circles accepts that as part of my definition. However, do I think I have to prove that I am an equally intelligent human because I am a woman? Oh hell yes. Every single day.

I was lulled into a false sense of acceptance in Grad school thinking at that level of academia, people are above such influences. Then I sat in on a meeting where my advisor trumpeted the achievements (which were impressive) of one of his former students, and then said, "now guess what she looks like?" Wha-huh? He implied that it should be a shock that she was stunningly attractive. I felt like I had been slapped in the face. Do I not try and achieve so much so that I will still be seen as beautiful? Do I try and appear as plainly as possible so that my achievements are viewed with greater weight? If I only had a HAMMER I wouldn't have to worry about such things.

Granted I say this realizing that I am allowed to wear a tank top to the store if I choose or shorts to walk around the block. My humanity as a woman is more firmly established than many women. Maybe I'm complaining when I should be grateful for my first world level problems. I don't know.

That, and that a whole lot of people, including people who have the same bits, have no problem with it.

You get the green mini-skirt and yellow go-go boots.

Oh dear.

I wonder if Christian Louboutin makes anything in yellow...

Maybe I'm complaining when I should be grateful for my first world level problems. I don't know.

No. I refuse to be grateful that we're only discriminated against professionally, socially, and sexually, and you know, not stoned to death.