Anatomy

I am tired of testicles.

Yes, you read that right.

I am tired of reading that what it takes to show strength, be a leader, or stand up for one’s beliefs is credited to one piece of anatomy that generally belongs to men. (Or assigned male at birth.)

Let’s just be blunt. To some people, it’s all about “balls”.

Can we just stop with this please?

Other figurative expressions are inclusive. We all know what it means if someone is described as having brains, or heart, or what my mother called intestinal fortitude: guts. Anyone alive can have those qualities.

But when you attach strength, leadership, even bravery to testcles you are saying they are specifically male qualities. One has to access or appropriate maleness to have them.

No, no, no.

It’s 2018 people; let’s lay the “balls” defense down and move on. Every time you say it you perpetuate the falsehood that some of the most essential and admirable traits a human being can possess are the birthright of one sex alone. And that just ain’t so.

So stop propping up the Patriarchy with this old saw.

This tweet from @ohnoshetwitnt challenges the prevailing stereotype:

Nancy Pelosi proves that you don’t need balls to stand up to a tyrant, you need a spine.

Ooh. A spine. I left that off my list. Anyone can have one of those, too.

Speaking of spines, I noted this announcement from County Executive Calvin Ball in his call for nominees for the Howard County Commission for Women’s Hall Of Fame, 2019:

Howard County women are the backbone of our community. It is time to nominate a Howard County woman who has made a difference in the lives of others through their leadership, professional achievements, and/or community service. 

Do me a favor. Don’t nominate someone because you think she’s got—

Well, you know.

Celebration in the Woods Advent Calendar: 

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=11dfaa56f70578e204b73fee207a6441