Because I have so many deeply held opinions about gender equality, I feel a lot of pressure to live up to certain ideals. I am supposed to be a good feminist who is having it all, doing it all. Really, though, I'm a woman in her thirties struggling to accept herself and her credit score. For so long I told myself I was not this woman-utterly human and flawed. I worked overtime to be anything but this woman, and it was exhausting and unsustainable and even harder than simply embracing who I am.
In her book "Bad Feminist," Roxane Gay expresses the struggle many women face in adhering to societal ideals of feminism. She feels significant pressure to embody perfect feminist values while juggling various life challenges. This expectation of being a "good feminist" who can manage everything creates a sense of inadequacy when she finds herself grappling with personal flaws like her credit score and self-acceptance.
Gay reflects on the exhausting effort she has made to distance herself from her imperfections, acknowledging that this pursuit has been unsustainable. Instead of striving to meet these ideals, she ultimately finds that embracing her true self—flawed and human—is a much more attainable and honest approach to feminism. Her insights highlight the importance of recognizing the complexity of women's experiences beyond societal expectations.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
