Let women live their lives!
When I use the term “Ho,” I use it in a very millennial sense. The modern woman has thought it necessary to reclaim the word and use it in a more empowering sense. So these days, being a “Ho” can range from being sexually free and not being in a committed relationship in order to enjoy the physical pleasures of the opposite sex, to being physically experimental with your long-term partner, or even actually having sex in exchange for goods, etc. The term has been stretched so loosely that it’s actually lost some of its general meaning and now requires context for one to understand how it’s being used. See uses like, “I’m about to be a ‘Ho’ for my man” as a commonly used example.
If you’re mentally or literally rolling your eyes at this rant, you can thank someone on my Facebook page, who thought it would be funny to post a meme captioned, “You know society is doomed when women look forward to being hoes for the summer.” This person is a known troll, so I wouldn’t expect anything less from him; therefore, I didn’t engage him. But there seems to be a high volume of men on my page telling women what they should and shouldn’t do with their bodies – many of which are known cocksmen. I’m quite tired of hearing what I should and shouldn't be doing with my body from men who couldn't handle it even if I gave it up.
Many of these men will benefit sexually from a woman being open with her body and turn around to condemn her for not being “wife material.” First of all, Sir, you’re a known cheater and a liar; why am I aspiring to be “wifed” up by you? Why should I saddle myself with a man-child and take on the duties your mother has so happily relinquished? This is a very common trope among males, especially those of the Caribbean variety. They want women who cook, clean, take care of themselves and a household. But, ask a man to be faithful, and the list of them who will actually take you seriously is so small it could probably be used as a cheat sheet for an exam.
A woman’s body seems to be policed from the moment she is born all the way to the day she dies. Let me take you through the life of a woman: I am born. If I am a girl, I am protected from the advances of the opposite sex until I am of an age to leave my parents’ home. I am told to cover up – this is so that creepy men don’t find me too tantalizing and perhaps think it right to prey on me. “Your chest is too big.” “Your skirt is too tight; change it before someone sees you.” I become a woman. From the moment my ovaries are deemed “ripe” (thanks for the inspirational word, Morgan Freeman) everyone begins to wonder when I will settle down with a man and bear children. This is presumably so that I will have company in my older years. Yes…ok. Let’s stop there, because it only gets more depressing as my sex appeal dies and I am reduced to a huge joke about hot flashes.
Now, when I confront men about these blatantly sexist remarks, I get responses like: “Oh, no, not you.” And other gibberish excuses like, “You’re a respectable woman, so this doesn’t apply to you.” This is a whole load of Trumpery that I don’t need to hear. I can be offended for reason that the same type of men will disrespect the women around me for making the mistake to sleep with a loud-mouth like you. Keep your opinions to yourself, raise your daughters to be nuns and hope they don’t find out the dirty things you’ve done to their mothers. Not all men are garbage, but a lot of you could afford not to judge a woman for being like you. How about this; if you’re not part of the general populous of male scum, this isn’t for you. But you know who you are, and we want you to shut up.
To the women, I say, “Go out and be a Ho.” Women are at the most powerful we have ever been. Our earning power has increased tremendously. Go make that MONEY and don’t let needing a man’s opinion keep you from deciding how you’ll live. Let life teach you; but don’t spend forever messing up. Make mistakes, learn and pass on what you’ve learned to future generations. Learn, grow and create a healthy society for the women to come. Help them live safe and sexually open lives and don’t let ignorant men stop them.
Signed,
Women who know and like themselves
