What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet
-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Is the above true? A questionable hypothesis: a rose exemplifies everything feminine. It's pink and red, it's soft to the touch, but it's also thorny enough to take caution.
I've decided to test Shakespeare's idea out. As a girl, known to all as 'Rosie' for the first thirteen years of my life, I experienced an identity crisis upon entering the big, bad world of high school. As a 'tomboy' throughout my early education, the name of Rosie didn't quite fit. Alas, neither did my true birth name of Charlotte. It was still a little too pretty, too classic for a rough-around-the-edges teenage girl. I settled upon a variation of Charlotte: Charlie.
In this decision, I set myself up for a lot of confusion, namely people thinking I'm less feminine. I've dealt with the masculine nicknames - Charles, Chaz, and more - all designed to make me feel inferior for daring to make 'girly' a name parents everywhere give their baby boys, all dressed in blue.
It might not help that I've chosen to spend most of my high school experience focused on questionably the most patriarchal academic activity known to education: policy debate. I'm one of few girls on my team - the rest of been driven out by debate's difficult and it's rampant sexism. An issue to be examined for a later date, but one that's affected me greatly.
So what does this narrative get me? Another rant about feminism to contribute to the blogosphere? I'd argue a two things that will set me apart.
First, age. I was born at the end of the millennium, in an era where sexism has supposedly decreased. For the first time, as a high school senior, I will have to out-compete more girls than boys to achieve that coveted college acceptance letter. Supposedly, I've lived in the best age for women yet which gives me a different perspective from older peers. I can examine feminism and women's issue from a modern perspective, because it's all I've ever known. It also ensures that I'm more critical of the status quo - because I want more for myself.
Second, ambition. I've achieved leadership within my school and community. When I look at career paths, I see myself climbing the ranks of a traditional male-dominated field: foreign policy. Will this be possible? What challenges will I face - and will they be related to my ovaries?
I'm young, I'm idealistic, and I have hope for my future and the future of women struggling everywhere. Until I can make a difference, I'll be posting here about women who are.
Expect analysis of the most powerful woman in the world, the mother of Germany, Angela Merkel. From an American perspective - when will we get our first female president? Will Hillary Clinton run? And why do people judge her by her colorful pantsuits?
I'll also discuss the barriers women face worldwide. While the last century has made a lot of progress, there are still daily global stories of domestic abuse, of child marriage, of women lacking education. How can these stories be changed? On a personal level - can debate be changed? Can a girl named Charlie ever be taken seriously? I'm a debater - I love to question things, and provide answers. Stay tuned as I chronicle my challenges, and attempt to solve them.
Cia♀,
Charlie
