Who Runs the World?

Girls! This is by far one of my favorite Beyonce songs.  The upbeat rhythm coupled with the powerful words, coerces even the most timid of souls to jump up and rock to the beat.  The top female entertainer of this generation always gives us music to dance to and heart wrenching ballads to belt out.  Love her or hate her, you can't deny her talent and the way she motivates others.  Throughout her music and career in general, she continues to propel this one message:  FEMALE EMPOWERMENT....and I love it. 

In a world where women are pitted against each other, it's refreshing to have many musical reminders that we should support one another, rather than plot and scheme to bring others down.  Since the beginning of time, women were bred to 'one-up' one another and do whatever it takes to be the 'queen-bee'.  Whether it's through rigging a contest so that you win by embarrassing another female, or going as low as taking her man (karma), our world celebrates the demise of the essence of sisterhood.  The very strength that we could use to build each other up is the very one we use to hold each other down.  I'm not speaking to every woman, but if we're honest with ourselves, you can name several off the top of your head who is exactly what this blog entry is talking about.

When I was in college, I joined a modeling organization.   The business of modeling can be very cut-throat, but we were a family that all had the same purpose.  Our main goal aside from our semester shows was service and we frequently gave our time to different organizations.  As I spent time with my new family, I grew close to several people and we truly became inseparable.  One of my close friends had a friend (we'll call her Stacy), who I spoke to and was cordial to, but was never really friends with.  I didn't have any ill-will toward her and thought she was a nice girl, but never really divulged my personal business to.  Well, months later, I heard that a certain woman (obviously Stacy) was spreading rumors about me and a young man I was dating.  The rumor was along the lines of him only dating me because of my looks and not really caring about me, etc.  The rumor was a little less diplomatic than I just stated, but I'm sure you get the drift. 

Initially I was mad.  Then I became hurt.  After some thought and some venting with friends, I decided to let it go.  What initially bothered me about it was the fact that I had never said or even thought anything negative about this young woman, but here she was talking about me.  I chalked it up to several things: low self-esteem, an obvious lack of happiness somewhere, and the virus that a lot of women unfortunately have that causes them to hate other women unnecessarily. 

That's just one personal example, but I have many more and I'm sure if we had a microphone and asked other women to share their experiences, the line would wrap around the world.  It's so sad that women in general roll their eyes at each other, whisper behind each other's backs, and deliberately sabotage one another.  If you don't like someone, actually have a legetimate reason/situation that causes you to feel that way.  That is more understandable, but hating for no reason, is so sad and a direct reflection of the sadness and inferiority that lies within you.  I for one, practice the rule of upliftment.  There's enough room at the top for us all as we will never serve the very same purpose.  In empowering others genuinely, you truly uplift yourself. 

Ladies...SISTERHOOD IS THE NEW BLACK. We can do so much more together than we can apart.  If you find yourself to be one of these women that "hate", work on your own issues.  Heal your own wounds and be an example not only for future generations, but for the existing generations of women.  Live. Laugh. Love. EMPOWER. 



Until next time...keep the forward movement...