The Female System
By Hillary Soto
“Girl Power”
A phrase written on shirts, hats, and stickers.
Ironic. Isn’t it? Because we can’t even seem to stick together.
We tear each other down.
For what?
We want to be better than each other.
For what?
For validation?
For satisfaction?
It’ll leave you empty if that’s what you’re seeking for.
Whatever it is it’s not worth it.
How can you bring a sister down over a boyfriend?
My mom always told me to never fight with a girl over a boy.
“He’s just a boy.”
“There are many other men in this world, why fight over one?”
Many girls don’t understand this.
One of my favorite songs by Lana Del Rey says “This is what makes us girls, we don’t stick together ‘cause we put love first. Something that we’d die for, it’s our curse”
She’s right.
Females care more about their love life than doing their friends right.
But who’s going to be there when that boy breaks your fragile heart?
That’s right, your girls.
Look at guys and how they get along
It keeps me thinking, where did females go wrong?
For us, success is measured by which female is doing better
Why can’t just simply succeed together?
Be happy for each other
Congratulate each other
Because we all come from gorgeous, strong, mothers.
Instead of talking behind her back,
Communicate if there’s an issue and be direct.
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.”
Females should take that to the heart because we are shady from the start.
No matter how much you dislike a female, they have something good in them
Don’t point out the bad to make them feel bad
Don’t make other girls feel insecure because you don’t feel good about yourself
Uplift them instead, you have no idea what’s going on in their heads.
Girls, no matter who you are, or where you come from, you are a female.
A strong, independent, beautiful female.
We all have different sets of talents, skills and traits.
We also have similar things that we can relate.
So why do we make each other feel so displaced?
We have the power to do anything if we stick together
Look at these males, they’re on top of the world, they can do anything they want because they stick together.
We can do anything a male can do if we work hard enough together.
A president, you can be one.
A boss, you can be one.
Getting along, we can achieve that.
Girls are always being put down by society
So why should us, females, keep it going?
Support.
Support each other’s opinions
Support each other’s styles
Support each other’s choices
We call each other names, but don’t you realize?
We all get called the same.
Instead of the hate, we should treat each other with respect
Because who will respect us back if we don’t?
Respect starts with us.
Women are marginalized in society
which means we’ll have to work hard to accomplish equality.
But how will we accomplish something so great, when all we are doing is introducing more hate?
Ladies, think of your actions
And think of your sisters
Because only with truth, kindness and care
We can revive the female system.
I have seen many school fights between both boys and girls, but I have noticed one big difference: when boys are done fighting, they make up; when girls fight, they forever have this silent feud. I think that both parties fight for foolish reasons, but I find that girls (in my experience) fought more often about boys. It is such a shame that we talk behind each other’s back but will turn around and tell that girl that you love being their friend. If we all work hard, as one, then we can do so much more. Women’s rights did not come from quietly sitting around. Powerful women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton shared efforts to make history. We want to continue to make history, not fight over pointless things.
Hilary!!!! Yassss girl! You did that. I love this poem so much. You spoke so many truths about how our society works. Isn’t it ironic the fact that in a time where some of our leaders are most progressive, we are also experiencing major setbacks in regards to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, among many other things? I think it’s a very interesting dichotomy, but maybe I’m biased as a young woman aspiring to go into politics? Who knows… I relate to the line that reads “Females care more about their love life than doing their friends right,” because in many of my friendships, I’ve seen this happen first hand. Why is it that many times, male recognition is what fulfills so many girls but they can’t seem to be filled with the loves that their friends extend to them?
I just really love this poem. It was so thought provoking to me and for that, I thank you for sharing your work.