Thoughts On Women And Social Media.
Just a little observation from my Instagram.
I wanted to share an observation that I made as of recently in regards to social media, most especially my Instagram account, which has frustrated me.
As I scroll through my posts, I began comparing number of likes, and which posts of mine received the most likes/and or comments. I noticed that the photos which have received the most “attention”, tend to be photos of me. So I had to ask myself…why is it that a photo of me dressed up receives more likes than a video clip of me singing? Or an illustration that I made? Or something that I felt was thought provoking? Are my physical features my defining feature, and not my intelligence or creativity? It’s 2017, and yet that is what we STILL choose to praise in a woman? It may be just a “like”, but I’ve come to believe that actions speak VOLUMES.
When I post those photos, the thoughts I generally have are “I’m kinda proud of this outfit that I put together lol because the way I dress happens to be one of the ways in which I like to express myself”. My intention is not for me to gain X amount of likes/comments. Of course it feels good to receive compliments, but it disheartens me to think that one would rather just see a picture of me, than my art, or the art of others that I choose to share, as an attempt to uplift/inspire people.
I love being a woman, but at times…it just feels so damn hard. This weighs me down because I know that I am not the only woman who has to deal with these hindrances, day in and day out. Maybe I am naïve, but my hope is that one day, it will be the other way around. One day, our intelligence, our creative potential, our brilliant ideas, and our nurturing ways, are what will be celebrated first…and our aesthetics second. Until then, I will continue to focus on becoming the strongest version of myself, and encourage my sisters to do the same. So that we can handle every obstacle that will come our way - today, tomorrow, and the years to come.
*BYRA OUT- MIC DROP 🎤*
Thank you so much for reading this article. You can connect with me on Instagram and follow my journey.
