A Post About the "F" Word

(Disclaimer: This is a long post!)


Have you ever seen those "I need feminism" posts? I know I've seen my fair share of people holding a sign with the words "I need feminism because (fill in the blank)".  I typically enjoy those posts, considering I myself am a feminist.  However, I never thought I would make one of those posts. Mainly because people think I'm crazy or radical when I tell them that I am a feminist (silly, right?).  Yet here I am with my own "I need feminism" post!

Today, I went to church with my family and had gotten to talk to a mentor and friend.  It was a very pleasant morning. As I was driving to church I noticed my gas light turned on and had made a mental note to get gas on the way home from church.  So I went to the Kroger gas station to fill my car up (gotta get those Kroger points!)

I walked up to the cashier lady to purchase said gas.  As I am standing there digging for money in my wallet a man around 45-50 years old walks up behind me.  I didn't pay him much attention until he said, "Good Lord, you make me think maybe I should start going to church!" followed by howling laughter.  (Seriously, he said that to me.  How gross!)

My heart rate immediately shot up and I could hardly pay the cashier.  What does one do in that situation?  What I wanted to say was "Yeah, you should be in church you sick pervert" or "What in the world makes you think you can speak to me in such a way?!"
But I didn't.  I felt as if I couldn't.  I was afraid if I said either of those things I would cause a scene (and that's unlady like) or I would get cursed out and called crude names.
So instead I hastily made my way to my car and sat there with the door closed until my car was filled.  

Unfortuantely, this is not the first time something like this has happened.  I've been disrespected like this other times. And I know I'm not the only one who has suffered through this.

It is situations like this that make me scared to go to gas stations alone.  It is situations like this that make me beg my boyfriend to come into Walgreens with me.  It is situations like this that make me nervous to grocery shop by myself.

I need feminism because of situations like this. 

 No one deserves to be treated in such a way! To all the men out there, please respect us ladies.  We are not here for you to say trashy things to.  We aren't here for your viewing pleasure.  We are people with feelings just like you.  To all the ladies out there, stay strong and help out your fellow gals. Stand up for one another!

Let's all just learn to respect one another, people! Remember to be kind and mindful!