AaronTheRocker

Rocky Balboa I read.

Respect.

Strange how that is. Someone you don't know, someone totally random, someone who just pops up is the one person who can change your life.
Remarkable.

Oh how true this is.
To take away life that is made in oneself is to not only reject their life, but a part of your's also.

The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it.
- Frederick Buechner

This is beautiful. To look at times of the past and reflect on them whether good or bad, it is a good way to learn and grow along with connecting with family.
I especially love the last line. It definitely fits in with the idea that it isn't where or when something happens, it's who it's with that matter's most. Reminds me of a little quote by someone whom I forgot the name of, but,
"Live for the nights you can't remember with the friends you'll never forget."

I agree with the premises of the idea of 'stop having women be sexualized objects', fully agree on that. They are people. Living beings that have emotions, thoughts, reasons and a life of their own just like everyone else.

Though there are two concepts that I understand what you are getting at, yet I feel they are misrepresented or misunderstood (unless I'm reading it wrong), but the idea of women's sports getting paid less, usually that is based on ratings and skill-set as seen most dominantly between the NBA and WNBA.
For the 'patriarchy' idea. Well, I mean, was it really the 'patriarchy' that made or contributed to the way it is? Personally, I don't think so. I believe cultural values that have passed overtime has resulted in such things to happen like such cause and effect relations. Once abortion was legalized along with the idea of divorce being 'okay', rates of rape and sexual assault, unprotected sex and of course, abortion rose to higher levels than they were before such things were acceptable.

Patriarchy isn't just about men, but how society is worked as a whole with everyone. Same with Matriarchy and all other forms. There can never be true dominance until one group crumbles to the ground and it can't be true dominance if there are separate roles as to which each side possesses that can't be put on the same scale.
Patriarchy isn't the same as cultural values (in terms of separating the two concepts because most people seem to jumble them into the same idea). Patriarchy is based on set of mostly (keyword: mostly) characterful beliefs that are actually expected of all sides to co-exist in peace and well being for all by teaching from The Bible whereas cultural values is the idea what is deemed 'acceptable' and what 'isn't' from society itself.

Can the two overlap? Of course. How do we value which side is in the wrong or right? Who really knows?

Sorry I wrote an essay, but I just wanted to put my two cents in on this topic because I find this pretty intriguing and have been in discussions about this before with many people.

I appreciate it when boldness like this comes to terms with reality. Gives a moment for us to actually think and reflect on what we do and why.

As a man, this was hard for me to read. The thought that men think of women as sex-objects, lesser and weak just perplexes my mind. It doesn't make any sense. Everyone should treat everyone with respect and dignity whatever status may be given especially women because my belief/value is that men were created to protect and help women as the idea of Adam giving Eve his rib. I feel horrified for you that you believe and think that this is just how men are towards women. You writing this is one step closer to not only help yourself overcome this, but also for others out there that may feel or experience the same. Because the only way to overcome an obstacle is to make yourself stronger. Last to end with, know that there are men & women out there fighting the good fight for all people.

This just fits so well. The structure and flow is nice and clean along with progression of the story.

I was thinking at first, "oh, it's losing a friend." Well it wasn't losing a friend in the way I thought of it.

This hit me hard, not just emotionally, but also in a connection. I've lost a friend from suicide and ever since then, I've been different and just wondering "what we didn't have" after.

Great poem and thank you for giving me a connection, a way to have my thoughts and feelings expressed even when this is in your words and I'm just reading it.