moxielicious

It is amazing how in my household, the culture and, therefore the way my parents treat my every decision, defines the boundaries of what I do by my gender, my sex, the simple fact that I have a vagina. This birth canal through which new life is brought into the world is this beautiful gift but our world makes it my ugliest curse. Whether it’s forcing me to wear bleached cotton in me, stereotyping my mood during my menstruation, my ability to execute physical labor, ability to do math or hard science, my interests in sports and other activities…everything I am and can be is diluted to the stereotype related to the possessing a birth canal.

When in high school, students were asked to describe themselves in 3 words. We were told most will define themselves by GENDER or SEX first, then race, then religion. I always chose creative, intelligent, ambitious. Because those are my most important traits. My sex, my gender, my birth canal is not the first trait that defines me. Why should it be the first trait that defines anyone? An individual defines their self expression through a spectrum of masculinity and femininity. And in this manner, I change in cycles of this balance of the two. Whatever I feel, I do.

I am not defined by this one organ. Do you want to be defined by one organ? What of the heart? What of clogged arteries? What of asymmetrical ears and eyes?Should I be defined by a medical pathology? Or a disability? It’s merely one piece to the whole you. And what you use everyday to be the best you, that, that should define you the most. What is femininity and masculinity when I have personality, talent and swag?