It’s important that women truly make an effort to build each other up as often as possible rather than tearing each other down. Unfortunately, this is very often not the case as women’s confidence becomes plagued by others’ crudeness.
Take last weekend as an example. My mother and I were having a nice shopping day at the mall and as we were standing in line preparing to conclude our shopping extravaganza, an extremely rude woman approached and blatantly insulted me.
It may be helpful to know that I am 6’3”. I was always one of the tallest people in each year of my schooling, usually met only by guys. It was no surprise to me that yet another person decided to comment on my height. However, in this case, I had never felt so insulted as I did with this woman.
What was even more surprising and different from so many other comments from strangers was that another woman in line actually defended me and retorted back at the woman. Now, normally I just keep quiet when those types of comments are made because it is not worth saying anything. So it was nice to actually have someone stand up and say something for once.
There is no such thing as being “too tall,” despite the fact that that was exactly what the woman in line told me. I’m not so naïve as to think, however, that this is the only kind of rudeness marked by a superficial comment that exists and damages a woman’s confidence.
It should come as no surprise that women in college still face insecurities. Of course, height is not the only insecurity that women face. They are being judged on things like their weight, religion, ethnicity, who they choose to date, are getting slut-shamed and more.
When are the constant judgments going to end? Let’s be honest, it is time women stop tearing each other down. Hurtful comments are made all the time and you will not get anywhere by being one of the people making those comments.
It is time we learn that words have consequences. While we may not be able to change what we feel insecure about or change the fact that some stranger makes a rude comment, we can battle that crudeness with confidence.
It has taken me a long time to learn to feel confident with my height. Don’t you think it is time we learn to be respectful and build up each other’s confidence? No one likes to be gawked at or be made to feel inferior based on things that are out of their control or based on who they are.
Do not let anyone ever make you feel inferior. As the courageous and wise Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Ladies, it is time we build each other up. Hold your head up high. Let your light shine bright. Be you, unapologetically.