So, it’s that time of year where we are set to select the leader of this “free” world, a time where people can voice their political beliefs and try to sway others to believe as they believe. This post won’t do that so you can relax.  What this post will do is voice my opinion about why we as women need to have a greater voice, why we need to stand together, why we need to instill courage, bravery, strength, gumption in our daughters.  It will hopefully cause some dialogue with the men in our lives about the importance of standing up for the women in their lives.  So here we go..

I have heard time and again with this election that voting won’t make a difference, that the election is rigged and we will be stuck with whomever for the next few years.  While all those ideals may make sense to some, my concern is more about the other individuals on your ballot.  You know the judges, prosecutors, city officials, these people who are supposed to handle the day-to-day operation of where you live.  See while we are so focused on the president, we fail to look at these individuals who sometimes have longer terms and are re-elected yet do not represent what we want in our communities. These people are placed in positions time after time and do not represent the change we want or need in the places we actually live.

My biggest issue is the injustices against women by men with these light-ass sentences.  Brock Turner should not be able to bask in any type of sun.  This man ATTACKED a women while she was UNCONSCIOUS, yet can wake up this morning, take a jog, stop by Starbucks, and do whatever the flip (I’m trying not to swear), he wants too, because some elected official didn’t want to ruin the rest of his life.  What about his victim’s life, does she not get the same consideration?! Is she not valued for what her future may bring to our society?! Let’s take a look at David Wise, he drugged and raped his wife repeatedly, for an undetermined amount of time. WHAT?! So because I say “I Do” I can never say “I Don’t”, then for the judge to tell his wife, the victim, that she should offer forgiveness and not to worry about his sentencing, who put this person on the bench?! Another case Sir Young, he receives a lighter sentence because his victim had a few sexual encounters previously and appeared to be flirting with him. Are you kidding me?! Let’s be very clear, just because I flirt with a man does not mean I want to have sex with him, nor does my sexual history leave an open invitation for those who want to have sex with me. Lastly, but trust there are plenty more, Stacey Dean Rambold, who received a 31 day sentence for raping his 14-year-old student, he was responsible for helping shape her, helping her determine what she wanted to do with her future. A future cut short when she took her own life.  He was later re-sentenced to 10 years, but the damage was already done, our justice system spat in this young lady’s face.

WOMEN, we have to take a stand, we have to stand up for and with each other.  Enough is enough.  We continue to fight for rights that should be ours regardless of what is under our pants, skirts, dresses, leggings, whatever you wear to represent you.  There are countless stories about women an unequal rights and injustices, you or your sisters could be one of them. While you may not like our presidential candidate selections, don’t allow tunnel vision to stop you for reviewing all those on your ballot.  Sisters we’ve got some work to do.