Explorers

…you are welcome here!

1901 Photograph: The Orion Nebula (apod)

Kitty Tsui

A common theme I see amongst young feminists, who are starting to understand the depths of male violence against girls and women, is a feeling of such hopelessness that it concentrates into a feeling of bodily inferiority; a feeling of being weaker, being rapeable, being impregnatable. And sometimes even, in turn, hating oneself and ones female body.

I want every woman out there to know that the physical ability to commit violence upon another person is not a superior trait, despite what generations of men would like you to believe.

Men give violence and brute strength value. So let's talk about where we should be giving value to the female body.

First, the reason men are on average stronger than women is also their downfall. Testosterone is a hormone that gives the ability to build muscle and maintain little fat. To simplify how it works, it burns hard and fast to build. This means that it burns hard and fast through the body as well. Mens bodies breakdown quicker- hearts fail, muscles degenerate, etc. They die younger than women.

Essentially, female bodies are more flexible and have a better endurance. This is because our bodies and systems are built for longevity - not power. Mens bodies are built for power and quick burn.

Our uteruses (and other hormonal regulatory systems in our bodies!) love us dearly. Our bodies regulate hormones, limit testosterone, and ensure we don't burn out quick. We experience menopause and men don't. We've been taught this is a bad thing.. But our bodies slow down and stop the hormones that would burn us out, and mens bodies don't. Menopause elevates our lifespan and quality of life.

In fact, this reproductive/regulatory system is so important, we have fat deposits that protect these organs. This allows us to be healthier for longer, too!!

It also helps a ton that we have a boosted immune system, much better than our male peers. On top of that, we have higher pain tolerances! We are better equipped to fight off things that ail us, and persevere through things that would bring us harm.

So we know women live longer, and in better health - but why is that? Is it just testosterone? Is it just to get pregnant? No! Our bodies don't exist to sustain a baby (though they can, and the fact that all life on earth exists because of women is an astoundingly powerful truth) they exist to sustain us - because we were and are community leaders, healers, caretakers, providers - we are immensely valuable.

Why, evolutionarily, are we this way? Because older women bring more value to communities than older men. Look up the Grandmother Hypothesis in evolution studies; it says menopause evolved because it allows women to live longer, because women (specifically grandmothers!) are key to community survival and kin relationships. Older women are key to our species survival; not just for the lifes they may or may not create, but for the relationships, the community, the reasons we live.

Some other miscellaneous thoughts...Sexually, we are the sex that has an organ made entirely for pleasure. We are the sex capable of multiple orgasms, and stronger. That's worth some thought.

So how do men play into all of this? Men are a genetic mutation of us that exist to provide sperm, if we'd like. Men who had more testosterone became stronger than men with less (therefore better at hunting, building shelter), making them more desirable mates, meaning that the next generation of men was stronger as well. And there they placed the value in strength. Which translated to the value of violence.

So the next time you find yourself valuing the capacity for violence, instead look to value the capacity for creation.

Womanhood is made vulnerable by males who choose violence. And that's why our work as feminists is so important. But I promise you - your body was not designed to receive conflict, but to outlast it. You were designed to build something better.

Take Me To Space - series by Manzi Jackson

Habit shifts - List

- practical actions that can be taken to fight internalized misogyny

#1 - Stop shaving

#2 - Switch to the woman-made alternative

#3 - Sensible shoes

#4 - Embrace your period

#5 - Burn the bra

#6 - Let your inner “old spinster” shine

#7 - Look at your body

#8 - We are women

#9 - Praise the mustache

#10 - Food is not the enemy

#11 - Dump him

#12 - You too can kill god

#13 - No is a full sentence

#14 - Live make-up free

#15 - Be loud

#16 - Touch yourself

#17 - Do you need a partner?

#18 - Trim your nails

#19 - Name it.

#20 - Cultivate your strength.

Note that this list is permanently evolving, so you can check it periodically here to see the updates.

Body Neutrality for Females with Dysphoria:

Are you dysphoric? Are you sick of body positivity? Are you female? Here are some affirmations that you can try out to counteract your negative internal monologue.

Whenever you think a negative/dysphoric thought, tell yourself one of these affirmations. If it feels corny or dumb, that’s a good sign. It means you’re challenging your brain’s self-hatred. You are redirecting your brain and challenging your usual thought patterns.

General body:

My body allows me to perform the tasks I need to survive

My body is worthy of respect

This form is the product of years of human evolution

Uterus:

Thank you uterus, for providing structural integrity and support to my bladder, bowel, pelvic bones and organs

Period:

Cramps are temporary

Periods are a natural, normal biological function

Ovaries:

Thank you ovaries, for helping me regulate hormones and stay healthy

Feel free to add any that you come up with!

ibuprofen is the only real feminist ally

20.12.29

The last full moon of the decade.

Milla Jovovich as Joan of Arc in The Messenger