I was leaning against my office’s restroom area, when suddenly, for the first time in forever, I sensed every fabric on my pants pressed against my legs.
In quite a long duration, I began to ponder over it.
“How far we have become.”
Since the first time I began my career, I have never been in a situation where I am demanded to dress up in a certain way. Maybe my privilege contributed to this too. Yet, even so, generally, my people, woman, have options now.
To use pants, or to use skirts. In almost every urban office dressing circumstances, we have options, be it in formal settings or the informal ones.
But there was a time on this earth, when that was not the case. Centuries ago, woman literally could only lurk around if they have super tight corset captivating their upper bodies, which lower bodies must be kept with what is called as “bird cage” in Indonesia.
Fast forward to a time, decades ago, not so long from now, woman in the workforce is ONLY accepted if they have the same formula : skirt below ones’ knees, heels, and simple strings of pearls. Ah yeah, don’t forget the meticulously sprayed hair, and “enticing” yet not “misleading” lip colours and make ups.
It was not even a long time ago. My mother, our mothers, are probably still the part of the troops. Part of the ones who need to bow down to the rules.
I am not saying that the rules have completely diminished nowadays. I am fully aware how even today there are roles and functions that still play by “the same rules.” Yet, my kind, woman, can always pick: pants or skirts. Flat shoes or heels. It’s just fine with either one, long as you behave according to the circumstances.
“How far I am now given choices.”
But again, in case the message got cut halfway, people refuse to understand, I am just taking a pause to celebrate and cherish small things we have progressed in.
Because these all are NOT enough
The real fight is still a long long long long long march. Indeed, we have far become, but we are still far from what should have been instilled a long time ago
Equality, choices, options, independence
Becoming us, becoming who we truly are
February 5th, 2021
In Between my Lunchtime Hunger
#byL
Prominent Queen est. 1995 