Strong Independent Women, yes/No/ Maybe {Reflections Redeemed}

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Something I once read “if you believe everything you read, don’t read”. With or against being the famous slogan out there for women to celebrate their uniqueness, some insights about this slogan is controversial, (what is not/who is not). 

So, am I going to talk from a feminist background or a feminist academic background? Well, these articles are just the reflections of the writer (c’est moi, oui). So, from paragraph to another, there might be some facts but it is again an opinionated article. (Yes, I am biased to what I write, you are not delusional). 

You can correct the facts, not my opinions. Still, you can disagree, of course. You can attack the opinion and would LOVE to get the chance and have an attack in a heated debate with you sometimes. Send me an email if interested, the invitation is always open, yet the approval is not but likely to be approved, with lots of love. 

Back to our topic, an upfront blatant note without too much introduction or warm up discussion, I am very much in the concept of strong independent women (period). 

This is a good thing, you think, as it might supposedly back the universal trend of women rights and these whatever other slogans or even this slogan. The thing is the ones actually, unfortunately, believe in this slogan or the broad concept, are not much, minority, very few. The ones who support and label themselves as such are everywhere. They are EVERYBODY & NOBODY. The slogan itself became a sarcastic statement. 

Am I talking about the Arab region, no, not specifically, I think, it applies abroad as well. Yet, it is less common to find believers in this but very likely to find advocates with messy and untidy looks/ outfits to prove so bad how they are totally strong independent whatever. So good luck and I appreciate the time and effort you advocate looking so not put together to convince the audience. I also recognize a lot of nonsense feminist work in academia and on the ground to scream they are strong independent women (let’s imagine we all are White Americans and call it “SIW”, shall we?). Yes, I think this is the typical persona and style for feminists out there along with usage of some words including patriarchy in each sentence. Usually, they are just feminist for the wrong reasons and they will abandon the feminist movement or whatever values they keep on reciting every conference for a patriarchal male fitting the marriage criteria with flowers and would you marry me label on his knee. 

Of course, SIW could have other forms including nudity and angry breasts on display as an artistic expression of whatever to defy the patriarchal mentality. But, I wonder, how do they perceive the actual intercourse? Will the angry breasts be involved to defy the seductive feminine fantasy or they will protest the act by covering them up. Personally, I think this movement has issues tackling the basic idea of why we should cover the body aside of whatever staffed sentences. Maybe it is that strength and independence emanating from the strength coming from the bra liberation act. 

SIW are there within chic sophisticated ladies hungry for power and the need to imprint their names for something screaming SEE ME. They are everywhere, the one only lady diva with a title acting as a boss for her psychological needs satisfaction. Those are always known everywhere. They are in the media all the time because craving attention is beyond control. Smart to solidify their status but totally overwhelmed in the confrontation with her opposite, if ever. This will make her look (what is the word? ) unsophisticated and pathetic. Let’s not forget the pretentious speech part about SWI with humble and modest overacting attitudes making her look even more recognizable! 

It is funny, but yes, my perception about those I really relate and consider as strong and independent corresponds to a few. The majority often repeat empty vague words but hard to spell to sound more intellectual in a pathetic way. 

The ones who believe in something regardless of its values differ from those who pretend to believe in something. Some believe in knowledge and the ability of comprehension. Others, gather what they read from resources and act like their role models. Both will be heard by everyone. But not everyone will BUY what they are SELLING. So, work on selling words or whatever (I know you DO!) 

SIW, what can be said about this? the common Egyptian way has from two to three points: 

-the ones who work to cover their financials and this almost means all of us because whether rich or poor, there are bills and lifestyle expenses. Of course, what you spend your money on differs from one person to another. This point is crucial later on, so!

-the ones who work because they want to look a certain way or acquire certain social status from their work. This represents some of us. Especially, those who might compromise something like marital status. 

-some might actually work through nepotism. Still, they kind of circulate this “I started from zero and scratch story”. Those are either famous startup founders or highly ranked officers somewhere. They really believe they face the hardships no one ever faced regardless of their background. They are true self-made business women with tragic legacy, are they?! Seriously with total conviction and persistence, they believe they are as such. (Tedx is calling out for you! HERO! But try not to mention any money transactions self-mades). Sorry, I just can’t have any sympathy or relate with the overacting performance which mimics struggles they simply do not represent. Extreme outstanding sarcasm, this is how I perceive them and I would pay to avoid these impersonations and imposter syndrome symptoms(noting that I am not rich). 

Here, in this country, there are a lot of memes and social media posts mocking the ideals of SIW. Because, why would a woman believe in this anyway if provided with sufficient and appropriate services to honor her feminine side. Well, considering myself one of those who adopt something, at least, related to this concept, I can answer questions with the same self-made startups convictions about their incomparable struggles. 

I actually interact with feminism in Egypt all the time portrayed and displayed in the most obscene ways. I see SIW in the working women in all the social classes. Some of which have to fight hard in her inhuman workplace conditions. The single moms with no families to back their “recognized weakness approved by the Egyptian”. I recognize SIW when faced by family shacking unstable social norms based on nonsense for nonsense. I recognize SIW when confronted by social ignorance and seclusion in so many cases. Patriarchy can be seen in the marginalized male roles partaking in the family but grounded in the social perception of male representation for being just males. 

I recognize SIW if, god forbid, faced with corruption cases and social classism in this country.

There are a lot of stories out there about women struggling to find their way in life to support mainly others while being ostracized. I see unfortunately also a lot of fabricated ones dying to find sympathy they fairly don’t deserve, however, no one can resist a hell of great acting talent. 

So, I, personally, don’t recognize angry breasts, no shaving trend, messy and untidy outfits, pretentious people and full of crap speeches as Somethings related to SIW. These are just byproducts of money organizations invested by whoever to support whatever. 

Maybe, later, they can include both a story and a study discussing the impact of the No bra act in women's lives.