Objectified

A Poem by Kupendwa

A spoken word poem. 12/17/2012

Rap songs, television, social networks, pornography,

Media always seems to connect a woman’s worth with her body.

Our culture would like us to believe that girls exist

To make boys confident in their masculinity.

According to our broken society,

Females are just objects with which man can devour

In his sick and twisted fantasies.

You’re told that you are just a play piece

In some perverted creature’s phantasmagoric wonderland.

Nothing more than an image for a debauched man

To indulge in selfish desires with his filthy hand

Unless you have a busty chest,

Can shake your booty, or move your body smoothly,

You’re completely worthless.

S**t. W***e. B***h.

Such words have been deemed acceptable

To call girls on a regular basis

And apparently if you’re joking

It’s not only accepted but also humorous

“You are too skinny.

You’re too fat.

You’re too short, too tall,

Not pretty enough, not sexy enough,

Your hair is too rough,

Too much acne and not enough make up,

Your eyelashes aren’t long enough.”

No matter how hard you try,

Somebody will find a way to tear you down

Until you cry.

They will find a way to make sure you know

That you are simply not good enough.

But it’s not just the media that treats ladies like they’re beneath man’s feet.

Even the church will turn you into nothing.

They conceal their objectification underneath a façade of purification,

All the while only bringing condemnation.

Put on some clothes or you’re going to go to hell.

Usually it’s not that direct.

But what the heck,

That’s what they’re saying.

Jesus’ love is obviously not what they’re portraying.

“Modest is hottest.”

I have heard that phrase hundreds of times before.

In fact, I used to say it.

But then I realized by saying it

I’m using the same approach as everyone else.

When I said it, I turned women into objects.

Maybe it was a more pleasant object, but nevertheless, an object, a piece of flesh.

They say that it’s better for you to wear a one piece and ditch the bikini.

And that you shouldn’t wear shorts above your knees.

They say by wearing extra clothes you’re just doing your duty

And helping a brother out.

But they have this expectation that it’s your obligation

to overcome their perversion for them.

Don’t get me wrong,

I love when a girl is genuinely sweet enough

To go out of her way just to keep my lustful thoughts at bay.

And I’m not saying women should run around naked either.

I appreciate a girl who wears clothing

I’m just saying the only reason a girl should cover up

Is because she has self-respect.

It isn’t her job to combat man’s wicked thoughts.

Instead of dealing with their problem,

These Christian boys decide to point fingers and say that women are to blame.

“If only she would put on more clothes I wouldn’t watch porn or masturbate.”

That is such a lie!
If men successfully got women to wear clothes that covered every bit of skin,

They would still find ways to imagine.

She does not need to put on more clothing so that you will stop masturbating.

Men need to take responsibility and stop objectifying.

When women speak this truth,

The guys say they don’t understand

Because they’re not a man.

But I am of your species.

I’ve had the same thoughts, same dreams, same fantasies.

I understand!

I have to fight lust everyday.

I have to use every ounce of strength

To turn my eyes away from that computer screen.

I know what it’s like to be a dude.

I’m one of you.

I was the boy who hid behind a mask

And tried to say it wasn’t my fault.

But we have to open our eyes and see that we are at fault.

It is not her fault that she is told day after day

That unless she reveals skin,

She will never be loved by him.

What is wrong with our society?!

Do we actually think that it’s okay to treat women like this?

You are not a piece of meat

For this animal called man to hunt during his daily heat!

You are a human being!

You are special and unique.

You are all one of kind.

You are not an object.

You are not the dirty words they call you.

You’re mothers, daughters, sisters, and lovers.

You are not a sex image.

You are a princess.

You deserve so much more than you have been given.

If you took everything this world had to offer and multiplied it by five thousand,

You would still be worth more than what we have to offer.

Every single woman on this earth is lovely, and not in a lustful way.

© 2013 Kupendwa

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Reviews

Lily Victoria

This says it all! I very much appreciate everything that's said here. If every girl were to hear this...wow..there would be such a broadened perspective for everyone. We shouldn't be objectified and most people don't realize that they do that everyday. Great Job!