Thin Line Between Boss and Bitch

In the first lines of Kelis’ 2006 Hit song “Bossy” she states;

You don't have to love me
You don't even have to like me
But you will respect me
You know why?
‘Cuz I'm a boss!

Granted these are just the lyrics to Kelis’s song but to many women in our society and in my industry this is their reality.

We are no longer living in the stone age when a man brings home the bacon and the woman cooks it, in today’s society I can go out buy the farm to have all the bacon my heart desires rather than pay someone to cook it for me. This is what our female ancestors have fought for, so we should be able to live in and absorb all the fruits of their labor. The problem with that is when we walk into a board meeting or when we are aggressive about the way we want our careers to go or something as simple as demanding your child’s teacher actually follows the curriculum we get labeled as a bitch! So why is it that in 2010 we still have to walk that thin line between bold and bitch?

There are many double standards in life between men and women; the most obvious in the entertainment and fashion industry is being too strong and assertive. Why is it that a man could give an emotional speech and everyone listens to what he says but if the roles are switched and the woman does the same she is described as a bitch and domineering? Don’t believe me look at society’s examples, Hillary Clinton was called a bitch and made fun of for acting like a man with some articles entitled“ Hillary Clinton is the right man for the job.” One of Reality television’s favorite villains is another example of the double standards in our society, Omarosa. She was most noted for her stint on the hit television show “The Apprentice” where she was labeled the bitch instead of the hero for speaking up and taking charge of situations.

Ladies is it our fault that society hasn’t changed? Do we allow them to continue to label us something as demining as the dictionary’s description of a female dog? Should we change who we are or should we fight even harder? I say no matter what we do there will always be something said whether it was I’m a bitch for being an aggressive, strong woman or I’m an angry black woman because I don’t smile enough to make people feel comfortable. If that wasn’t a problem then it would be something else and I say that to explain Be Proud and Be as Bold as you can. I walk that fine line everyday and I hope that more women respectfully, will stand up because that’s the only way change will happen. Conquer all obstacles in your path and don’t be afraid to be who you are, take hold of your career, your surroundings and your life!