Respect the folk

Women in folklore are in constant competition with one another. Whether it be for the favor of a prince or for the title of the fairest of them all, women are always fighting for that top spot. All the reasons we compete with one another are completely unimportant and meaningless. We should not be tearing down one another, rather we should be building each other up.

My dear friend Cinderella was a victim of this crime against women. Her stepsisters and stepmother took complete advantage of her by practically treating her as their slave. And why did they do this? Because they didn't want her to have more than they did. Plus, she waswas, and still is, much prettier than they are. 

Jealousy drove these women to act uncivil towards Cinderella. Cinderella did not ever talk back or disrespect her stepfamily. Until she went to the ball, she had never disobeyed orders because ladies always do as they are told. That is more of an issue that I have with men more than I have with women. Men have molded women into obedient beings who have very little say in their affairs, however, that is a topic for another day. But women should not ever have to be jealous of anyone. Jealousy only leads to hurt and I'm sure women are done feeling hurt. Man's oppression of women is enough for us to endure. We do not need to make the pain any worse for our fellow women. If we let jealousy get the best of us, then men will always be our superior and never our equal.

As women, it is our duty to treat eachother with respect and dignity. We do not have to like eachother, but we need to show men that we have more worth than what they give us. If we are constantly bickering or being catty, then men will never be able to see us in a new light. They will always see us as lowly animals that they can control arms train. So instead of getting jealous or mean, be respectful and treat one another as you would like to be treated by all people. Be a better woman by building women up rather than pushing them down.

It's Our Day

Finally. It's our day. It's Interrealm Women's Day!

Women of all realms are celebrated rather than degraded like most every day. Today women in all realms are voicing their opinions while also uplifting the women around them.

In the folk realm where I preside, us women threw a ball to celebrate each other. It was the largest event that us women had ever put together. We had the best food brought in along with the finest wines that this land has to offer. Women from every story joined us tonight and it was absolutely exciting. We shared plenty of laughs coupled with several tears. We shared stories, both happy and sad, that allowed us a group to become more united in our cause. It was a great event and we are all awaiting for the next years' ball.

Men were invited as well as women. However, very few showed up. The ones that did were often dragged by their wives or mothers. It was a pitiful showing for the men of our realm. Even my own husband refused to come. Apparently he is too much of a man to enjoy the company of hundreds of beautiful and strong women. Instead of joining his wife, my husband went hunting with other men whose wives also failed to persuade them to attend the ball. And afterward, they drank spirits in my barn, or should I say my husbands barn since I cannot own property. Needless to say, I was not very happy with the men in my realm.

And that is the problem.

Men.

They do not care. They refuse to support their wives if it causes them to lose any sort of power. By attending our event, men lost their manliness apparently. If you look at the men who came to the party, they would be deemed "ladies' men" considering the sheer amount of women that were surrounding them. If a man were manly, one would think that they would like to be a part of our party. But I guess men in this realm are not able to step outside of their manly comfort zones in fear of being degraded by others. Sounds familiar. Except women don't have to do anything, which they are expected to do anyways, in order for others(men) to degrade them.

In the muggle realm, Hermione Granger has been heading a campaign for the United Nations. It is named He for She. This wizard is inciting men and boys to join in on the conversation about gender equality in their realm. In her speech to the UN, Hermione argues that the battle cannot be fought when only half of the population is listening to the movement. As any fine lady would do, Hermione formally invited men and boys to join the cause. Thus far, Hermione's actions have garnered The official support from 245,000 men from all over the muggle realm. Though this number is small in comparison to the amount of men in the muggle realm, it is a start to gain the support from the gender who have historically kept women inferior. Hermione is doing a great job in the muggle world, if only we had as much support from the men in our realm.

As women in the folk realm, we must continue our pursuit for equality such that Hermione is doing in the muggle realm. Talking to our husbands, sons, and fathers is the first place to start. If the do not wish to listen, then maybe you do not wish to stay. That will make them think again.

Happy Inter Realm Women's Day to all women in all realms!

The Objective as an Object

In folklore, us women are just objects. We have no real purpose other than to fulfill men's wishes. Some of us are lucky enough to be educated. Generally, its just the well off women, such as myself. Other women would say that we are lucky to be in a position where we are allowed to learn rather than work. 

However, education just allows us to understand that women as a whole are treated unequally by men. I don't know if it is true with women in the lower classes, but in my class, women have very little freedom to do as they truly please.

Men like to think that they know best for us because they are superior. I dont think that they even know how to think. If they did, then maybe they would think that women are more complex and require attention and at the same time they require freedom. Simple is how we are often described, but that is because we are being described by men. Men are simple; they want women, land, riches, and power. Most men work to obtain those goals and usually get at least a woman. And they only "get" us because our daddies make us go. Women want more than marriage; they want life. Life that is more than the shallow sentiments of the women before us who created roles that men are insistently confining our souls in.

As a women who sees her worth in society, I want to evolve the way that women in folk culture are perceived. We are more than the dresses we don and the children we bear for the men we didn't choose. We have thoughts, feelings, and yearnings that are not addressed. We need to take a stand against this male-centric society.