They look
They stare
They smile
They hiss
They laugh
They propose
They walk with an air of importance

Am I just an object to them?
Am I just a vessel for pleasure to them?
Am I meant to be submissive to them?
Am I valued at all as a human being to them?

Some say it is culture.
Some say it is religion.
Some say it is the color of my skin.
Some say it is the slant of my eyes.
Some say it is just the way it is.

Am I to just ignore it?
Am I to just accept it?
Am I to condone it?
Am I to devalue my own humanity for it?

Insh’Allah, in God I trust, in Jesus’ name
I pray

For I am not just an object.
For I am not just a vessel of pleasure.
For I am not willing to be submissive due to my gender.
For I am a woman

Who values herself
Who celebrates her beauty
Who respects herself as a human being.

-T
~April 10, 2009