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Tuesday, February 05, 2008

The rebel in me…

The rebel in me…

I know I promised 1st day of school news…

But I have to get this off my chest…

Four times in one day and then again twice the next, it was said in my presence that I was a (insert insulting job title here) on a project I’m working on.

The comparison would be something like this: You are the supervising Marine Biologist but somebody says you feed the fish.

Not that the title itself was really insulting…in fact, many fine people choose that title as a career path and are extremely good at their chosen vocation.

Its just that I WAS a (insert same job title referenced above)...15 years ago…and I’ve worked very hard and been blessed mightily by God in the ensuing 15 years to find a career path that requires a far different skill set.

The first time it was said it was funny…

The next time I felt a little slighted.

The third time, I realized it was being done to imply that the skills I possess could easily be handled by somebody else AND to indicate that the person saying it was too important to do the work that was asked.

There are specific tools I use in my trade.

And wanting to be diligent and to earnestly grow through the experience of my job, I’ve made learning how to use those tools efficiently and effectively a priority.

This was the first time in my entire career where a MAN used my SKILLS against me, and with a SLICK little TWIST OF THE TONGUE, implied to ANOTHER MAN that I somehow meant less than HIM.

Which, if you had any inkling of the full spectrum of this story, would make you guffaw like a horse.

I’ve been insulted before…and by MEN…for being a WOMAN and nothing more…

I’ve been ever-so-subtly discriminated against for having boobs instead of balls (pardon, me…)…
But I have never come across a male chauvinist so skilled in the rhetoric that he could actually turn my SKILLS into something demeaning.

It was art, I tell you…ART!

In the moment, and very aware that I want to be a woman of God, to act in God's will and do things that are Honoring to Him, I was silent.

But the rebel in me…

Well…

The rebel in me thought,

“What part of ‘princess’ do you not understand, you Toad-Faced, Mule-Mouthed, little Napoleon? Don’t you recognize REAL royalty when you see it? Do you actually KISS your MAMA with those venomous, backward, NEANDERTHAL lips?!?!?!?!?!?!? I’d ask you what in the WORLD you were thinking to let those thoughts leave your mouth, but it’s OBVIOUS you HAVE NO BRAIN!”

I hope my brain-to-mouth sensor never goes on the fritz...

If it ever goes out on me, I'm doomed.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You crack me up! Thank God I'm not the only crazy girl in this world...I hope you know how much I adore your transparency and ability to laugh at yourself : )

Unknown said...

Oh Felicia, I'm so sorry that happened! I feel your pain, as I suspect we have similar vocations and years of experience, and I too have faced the evil eye of discrimination. As Miss Lizzy said, I'm so proud of you for being able to laugh at yourself. Keep your head up - you do a great job at the things that REALLY matter, and YOU know it.

Mary C. said...

So can I dress him down for you? I love making men cry with a verbal assault...really, I do.
You know, even God himself did the work. He didn't farm it out, he made everything himself. (Or herself, whichever you choose). Then he made a man and gave him the simple job of hanging out and naming stuff. A no brainer, right. Sure, except that he couldn't handle it alone. God, in his infinite wisdom sent him the only thing that could do the job...a woman. She managed just fine until the snake arrived, another male you know. No one has ever questioned Satan's gender. And although the woman was swindled by the cunning snake, the man wasn't capable of making a decision by himself so he followed along.
Hey, we can think without boobs but take away the balls (excuse, please)and who knows what disasters may ensue.
Does he really have a toadface? ;)

Gina said...

Whew, I bet it felt good to get that out! The nerve of some people is unbelievable. I agree with Tara --it's good you have a good attitude about it. I'm so sorry.