That men and women are accused of wanting more from one another even when they are happily platonic friends. That no one realizes a frozen hot chocolate is just a better version of a milkshake. That we glorify ambition as much as we belittle being content with where you are in life. That the news doesn’t actually report happy occurrences as part of their regular broadcast. That weather people are wrong at least 50% of the time, and it’s considered ok. That no one can actually live off a living wage. That we demean people without higher education, but then make it unaffordable for all. That children will go to bed hungry, tonight. That we have entire parts of the United States in which people do not have accessible access to grocery store. That there are people in our country who have never had a fresh fruit or vegetable. That a man is sexy for being a stripper but women who dance are seen as “demeaning herself”. That the same women who tell me I am degrading womenkind will go to see Hollywood Men (a male strip revue) and grab at their crotches to stuff dollars down their pants. That porn - in which two or more people are paid to have actual sex with one another is legal . But consensual sex between two or more people in which at least one pays the other is not. *1 That the ten commandments said “Honor your father and mother” but didn’t add the same provision to parents to be nice to their kids. *2 That we do not treasure our loved ones more as the gifts they are to us while they are present and alive. That a government entity holds power over who is allowed to get married. That anyone minds whether someone choses to identify as he, she, they, or other. That adults have to get court mandated permission to change their names, or their identified sex on documents. That ageism, homophobia, racism, etc…are even still a thing in this day and age. That we are kinder to our terminally ill animals, than we are to our terminally ill humans. That with all the ways we have to stay connected, feelings of isolation and loneliness are on the rise. That no one has noticed that Donald Trump appears to have dementia. That anyone still asks a woman who has been raped, “But what were you wearing when he attacked you?” *3 That we still have gendered bathrooms. That when a little boy hits, pinches, hurts a little girl, we are told it’s because “he likes us” and not because he is an asshole throwing a tantrum. That most doctoral programs in this country still don’t have major nutrition learning requirements. That many doctors get an hour of training on menopause. That anyone still uses the phrase “well if you were my girl I wouldn’t allow you to…” That Isrealis referred to children as “persons under the age of 18” to distance from the fact that they imprisoned children. That anyone still believes that the Holocaust didn’t happen. That we haven’t solved world hunger or homelessness yet. That there is ANYONE who doesn’t believe in climate change. That we, American citizens, think it is okay for our government to vote against cease fires. That children should feel fear going to school. That schools have the need for metal detectors. That chocolate is not recognized as a food, a medicine, and a sincere pleasure to enjoy. That we actually pay people (senators and congressman) to do filibusters and prevent issues from being addressed. *4 That we have not had a female president yet in this country. That Americans born overseas can’t become president. *5 That all socks don’t come with a “stay up” warranty. *6 That guys send unsolicited dick pics in this day and age. That we can’t say “sex” and “naked” on social media without getting banned. That we still tell 18 year olds they need to decide a career path as though they only get one option until they die. That higher education is causing massive amounts amount of debt with little benefit in comparison to the cost. *7 That people would rather feel like crap and take lots of medicines as a result, in order to keep eating “foods” that have no actual foods in them, over simply eating yummy tasting fruits and vegetables. That the United States is number 2 in the WORLD of countries that offer the worst paid vacation benefits. And that we are the only country that has NO statutory paid leave benefit. *8 That when Americans do have a paid vacation benefit, almost 50% of them don’t use part or all of it. *9 That anyone thinks it’s okay to bully or harass someone. That people will stand around and watch someone be beat up instead of trying to intervene and help. That women are encouraged to wear thongs and g-strings, but then called “whores” for enjoying wearing such things. That any woman will tear down another woman for making choices that are right for her. That Roe vs Wade was overturned. That anyone else has a say in what I choose to do with my own body. That there are doctors who would refuse to give an abortion which would save the life of the mother, and allow both mom and fetus to die. That children are forced to carry babies to term. That no one knows what the fuck “Size small or medium or large” actually means. That anyone says to an abused child “but why didn’t you speak up?” That healthcare isn’t free and affordable to all as part of our basic rights. That ketchup is considered a “vegetable” under school lunch guidelines. *10 That people will spend their whole lives in pursuit of money, and no matter how much they have, it is never “enough”. That we would rather say things like “let’s do something soon” to random acquaintances on social media, then actually hang out with real people in real life. That people don’t use their libraries more for books, movies, magazines, and free passes. That libraries are having their funding cut. That businesses which triple their revenue, will turnaround to their employees at holiday time, and say “no bonuses this year, it’s been tough on everyone”. That people who choose war over peace are in positions of power. That bombing hospitals and schools are considered “casualties of war”. That men and women are told they can vote and serve in the military at 18 in the United States, but they are not allowed to drink legally. *11 That anyone thinks binge drinking is a good idea. At all. That holistic treatment of any disease - physical or mental - are considered fringe or alternative. That the phrase “side effect” is still used and no one notices that it is not a real thing. *12 That we say “white lies” are okay because they are done with the intention not to hurt someone’s feelings. *13 That teachers are not paid more even though they have people’s children for more waking hours than their parents after they start school. That sex education doesn’t actually teach about sex, our bodies, desires, wants, needs, or consent. And it is taught by people who have no training in sex. That the USA is building border walls to keep people out of a country whose most iconic statue literally says: “"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" That a complete stranger will still think it’s okay to grab my ass in public and say shizzle like “Well you shouldn’t look that good if you didn’t want someone to do that!” And that other men AND women will pat him on the back when he does this and applaud. *14 That we don’t treasure our elderly citizens more. That our rainforests are being systematically destroyed, and with the consent of the governments of those countries. That gender reveal parties are still a thing. That as a woman I get accused of “sleeping my way to the top”, having “mommy and daddy pay for my pretty things”, or am simply a “bitch” for living the way that makes me happy. That a man is a stud for sleeping with lots of women, but a woman is a “whore or slut” for doing the same. That any man who shows emotion is called a “pussy”. *15 That there is an “unacceptable” dress code until a celebrity does it, and then suddenly it’s “good taste and high fashion”. That people stay in relationships that make them miserable. That people cheat on others but rationalize that “at least they have stayed in the relationship” because they “wouldn’t want to hurt their partner”. *16 That people are unkind to others. In person. On social media. Behind close doors. Haven’t we evolved past this low vibe energy? That the phrase “we are made in God’s image” seems to except anyone who doesn’t look and sound identical to the people preaching such things. That priests are supposed to be celibate. Why? That anyone still believes that masturbation is harmful. That my dictionary didn’t offer “masturbation” as the correction when I accidentally spelled it “masterbation” while typing fast. *17 That “everyone’s doing it” is still used as an excuse for poor behavior. That men are made to feel ashamed for crying. That it is not more traditional for me to have the option to be “stay at home dads” and let the mom go to work. That paternity leave is not mandatory for companies to provide. That day care is not subsidized by the state so that parents can afford it. That many companies add other oil to peanut butter when peanuts have their own oil that gets released when smushed. *18 That people are more concerned with whether a tree makes a sound when it falls in the woods than taking care of the planet That 90% of the world is still on a hamster wheel of a day instead of living mindfully. And it’s considered “normal”. That anyone stays late at work for no compensation. *19 That we forget how hot water in our home is a recent privilege and not available in all countries. *20 That books are still being banned. At all. Anywhere. That we don’t support our friends who have small businesses, but we will tag corporations incessantly in our posts. That there are this many things out there we still have to work on and it is 2023. That people think I’m crazy when I say my ambition is to be “happy and healthy”. Footnotes: *1 I personally think it should all be legal. I do not understand how another entity has the right to govern what I voluntarily and consensually choose to do to make money using my body. Please note that I am saying this between adult consensual parties. Sex trafficking is evil and must be stopped. Prostitution and sex trafficking are not the same thing. *2 Why as a child am I told to forgive my parents and make amends, but they are not held accountable for their actions? Victim shaming much? *3 I am not referring to asking in order to gather evidence. I am referring to the stupidity of anyone who asks that to try and justify an attack on another human. *4 Think about this one people. We are actually paying our politicians to NOT do work. There is something really wrong with this situation. *5 As though you had any control over where your mom was when she popped you out. *6 Does anyone else get pissy when socks slide down? Anyone? Bueller? *7 As of 2023, student loan debt in the USA has reached 1.77 TRILLION. (I feel like Dr. Evil writing this.) Is no one else concerned? https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-statistics *8 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/04/the-10-countries-with-the-least-paid-vacationthe-us-is-no-2.html *9 https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/10/more-than-4-in-10-u-s-workers-dont-take-all-their-paid-time-off *10 Hello, did no one ever pay attention in second grade science fairs to the guy who explained that it was a fruit? Not to mention that ketchup is a processed sugary product with no nutritional value and very little resemblance to the tomato other than its color. Fun fact, in 1893 the Supreme Court designated fruit as a vegetable - despite the fact that it’s classified as a fruit scientifically - because of it’s culinary uses in a court case where some guy was trying to avoid a higher tax. Is it any wonder that Roe vs Wade was overturned considering the idiocracy of the decision making rationale the court employs on fruits and vegetables? *11 Yes you can die and make decisions, but heaven forbid you touch an alcoholic beverage. *12 There is no such thing as a “side effect” it is ALL effects of a medicine. Period. Address them as such. *13 I call BS. White lies are people’s ways to try and not deal with a situation by taking away someone else’s right to know the truth about something. *14 I reserve the right to knee him in the balls with my stiletto and respond “well you shouldn’t take actions like that if you can’t handle the consequences”. *15 First of all, I applaud any man who is STRONG enough to show emotion. And secondly, when did pussys become a symbol for weakness? When a man can push something the size of a watermelon, out of something the size of a walnut, he is welcome to criticize. *16 No, all you’ve done is taken away their right to choose whether they want to be with you, you miserable lying sod. And this goes for all genders…not okay. *17 (It literally said “no guesses found”. I would guess that whoever created the spellcheck program therefore is sexually repressed.) *18 (Actually I know why. It makes it cheaper for the companies to produce which increases their profits and decreases our healthy product.) *19 (No one puts on an obituary “They stayed late at work”) *20 It wasn’t until the 1940s that plumbing building codes changed to allow for hot water as a standard issue. And in many countries, it still isn’t accessible to all citizens. Have something to say? Feel free to comment below. Want to support Tink's writings? Click the Cashapp link here to become a patron of her work!
1 Comment
CATHERINE
12/27/2023 04:16:13 pm
I love this entire post and agree with most of your beautifully stated points! (And I loved the hilarious and informative footnotes.) On the issue of paternity leave, this is something I have worked on a bit in my professional life. It is actually ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATION to provide maternity leave but not paternity leave UNLESS the maternity leave is tied entirely to the period of debilitation caused by childbirth (in which case there is a rational basis to treat the mother differently than the father). Both the EEOC and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)(the relevant agency in the state where I live) have said so. There may be court cases as well. That said, your point stands because a LOT of employers are not following the law. When I tried to get my old law firm to amend the employee handbook to provide equal paternity leave, everyone looked at me like I had three heads (and this was after the MCAD had issued its ruling AND the people I was talking to were lawyers who should have respected the ruling). Granted that was 10+ years ago, but I suspect the situation on the ground is the same. Failing to grant equal parental leave to both sexes harms both men and women - first, by depriving men of an equal bonding opportunity with their new babies, and second, by basically forcing the woman to take on the primary childcare role because her husband can't get the same amount of leave. Makes me crazy!
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AuthorTink, world traveler, positivity muse, and adult entertainer, has also freelance written for a number of companies as their ghostwriter. Now talking directly to YOU on this platform, she is also writing two books at her community's request. Archives
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