Today was the first day that I was able to talk to my daughter about the half time show.
Before everyone starts getting offended…let me say this. There is not ONE woman (besides Tina Turner who had amazing legs 😱) that would not wish to be able to move and dance and be in incredible shape like the two women that danced last night. They were the same age and older than I…and they put me to shame in exercise and beauty and talent. There is NOT one person that can’t sit there and say WOW about that.
However, I sat there in confusion. I am a woman…and I hear we as women protest that we don’t want to be seen as objects…but yet…I believe that is what was displayed…I know there are many that disagree…but I would say there are many that agree with me. That being said…we should support women…and each other. That statement is very true….we should. However, I’m not sure a pole and clothing that made most men in the room I was in uncomfortable, is what I would call “family friendly” entertainment for a football game. I don’t really care that they spoke in a foreign language…that they brought other cultures to the table…I’m perfectly fine with that…but when I think of strong women…..I don’t see the image that was put in front of me.
I see a woman that left an abusive relationship and her beautiful home and brand new nursery with her nine month old to start a better life for her baby boy.
I see a woman who endured her unfaithful husbands funeral and paid for it while the women there he had an affair with came through the line like they had a right to be there.
I see a woman who took the roses off her husbands grave and threw them in the ditch that were left on the tombstone she paid for…by women who played a part in destroying her marriage.
I see a woman who worked three jobs so she could pay all her bills and debts and take care of her son.
I see a woman who didn’t believe the mean lies people told about her.
I see a woman who kept going when everyone else told her to quit…it was too hard.
I see a woman who admits her mistakes and tries to be a better person. She does things that are uncomfortable because she knows it was what she was born to do. She is the one where the buck stops…and she fixes it. She is the one…without applause…no trophies….just the fight within her to NOT give up.
We see these strong women as they fight cancer. They fight infertility. They deal with depression. They care for special needs children. They care for spouses who are ill. They have children who they have lost, some they have buried…others they struggle with addiction. They fight abuse and find the strength to leave it. They go without so their babies can have more. They go without sleep and food, they work when they are sick…they care for their children through exhaustion. They run marathons and get degrees…they save lives….and come up with cures. They beautify homes and make everything in the world beautiful. They make memories and take pictures…they love unconditionally and fight tirelessly….those are the strong women…and that is what I tell my daughter….she can reach for the stars…she can create her destiny…but it is her character, her brains, her spirit, her heart…that I’m interested in…
I hear lots of women defending the display that was forced upon us. I’ve heard your arguments. I have even heard women say that all of us are hypocrites because our daughters wear clothes like that at their dance recitals. May I just say….not ONE dance recital did my daughter dance in where there were stripper poles. Not ONE dance recital did she display her crotch for the whole world to see…nor was she taught by her teachers to move her body in the way that was being displayed….perhaps other studios do that…but not one that I’ve ever attended. I don’t wear bikinis….if you do that’s your business…I don’t…because I’ve had kids…and even when I did look good in them I didn’t wear them because I felt like I was walking around in my bra and underwear. That’s just me…not judging anyone. My daughter also feels uncomfortable and she wears a one piece. She also wears a one pice on her swim team as well. I also am tired of people with the argument of that I did’nt have to watch it….here’s the thing….My Chiefs….well we are from MISSOURI, not KANSAS and a lot of my extended family was watching it with me….because we haven’t been in the Super Bowl….in my ENTIRE life….so yes, we were watching it…and then a lot of us got snacks…and more of us just sat there with our mouths wide open trying to understand WHY this was being shown. Since it was my first time watching the Super Bowl in its entirety….I wasn’t sure what to expect…but hopefully never that again…. So, I ask that those of you telling me to get over it…will just remember that I’m not going to…I will always stand up for my daughter and myself as a woman…and that display was not helpful to women…
Go make the world a better place…
Go for your biggest dream…and work hard to achieve it.
The Reluctant Red Nose 