As A Woman, You’re Encouraged To Be Dissatisfied
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force him to drink. Similarly, you can list down all the ways that misogyny actually hurts everyone in society, but not all will listen. Some might be dismissive and say that’s just how men are. Some might get defensive and blame you. And some might tell you that offending you was never their intention—like what Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay did regarding his inappropriate remarks toward Anne Curtis.
RELATED: What Happened to Anne Curtis Is a Sad Reminder Why We Still Need Women’s Month
“The analogy made was not intended to put malice in that particular statement. Ang gusto natin is i-point out na kadalasan, may mga statements which are taken out of context. Dapat tingnan ang kabuuan at hindi dapat nagpupunta sa konklusyon. Ayaw natin makasakit through that analogy but kung may nasaktan, humihingi tayo ng dispensa. Kay Ms. Anne Curtis rin, kung nasaktan siya sa sinabi, there was no malice intended at tayo ay humihingi ng dispensa sa kanya,” the lawmaker said.
Online, Suntay was once again criticized. Many deemed him to be lacking in proper accountability because of the words he used. Sheila Guevara-Suntay, mental health advocate and wife of the representative, also apologized to the actress, stating that “no woman should ever be spoken about that way.”
Between the two, Curtis only accepted the latter’s apology.
A Firm Boundary
In her Instagram post, Curtis shared her full stance about the matter. There was no doubt that the actress handled the situation eloquently. But more importantly, she emphasized that the issue was bigger than her, and she was right. A public servant may have started this entire, necessary conversation, yet there were people who defended Suntay. There were those who agreed that nothing he said was wrong.
Regardless of whether this controversy happened or not, misogyny persists, be it blatantly or in small, insidious ways that can be plausibly denied.
As a woman, you’re allowed and encouraged to be dissatisfied if it means you won’t become a participant in your own belittlement. For too long, casual degradation from men has been framed as praise, when it’s really not. There’s nothing remotely complimentary about being sexualized without your consent. And if all you receive after that is indifference, mockery, or a lukewarm “sorry,” then you’re within your own right to not tolerate that. Anne Curtis is more than generous to say that she will not be carrying what happened to her as a personal wound, but she’s not shrinking herself either.
So, go ahead. Be difficult and challenge the status quo. Be demanding to raise standards. Be non-compliant toward those who still find it funny to talk about women like they’re objects. Respect is never too much to ask.
Photos: MEGA ARCHIVES & ANNE CURTIS (via Instagram)
The post As A Woman, You’re Encouraged To Be Dissatisfied first appeared on MEGA.
As A Woman, You’re Encouraged To Be Dissatisfied
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