Recently I had the great misfortune of watching the movie ‘The Mist’ with my mum. The plot was ridiculous, the actors were okay but unconvincing and the ending was just as bizarre. However, what I found most intriguing was that it was based off a Stephen King novel. You know, the guy responsible for ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and other absurd titles. (I’ve never actually read any of his works but judging off ‘The Mist’ I am not too eager to start). Anywho, the recent watching of said movie compelled me to explore more about Mr King so I engaged in some wider reading and research (by ‘research’ I mean speed- reading his Wikipedia page) and in doing so stumbled across some wise words, his ‘formula’ for learning to write well – “Read and write four to six hours a day. If you cannot find the time for that, you can’t expect to become a good writer.” It then goes on to explain how King aims to write 1000- 2000 words a day about who knows what.
Now, ever since the beginning of high school and probably in late primary I knew I wanted to become some sort of writer. My English teachers liked my essays and a few said that I had potential to become one but I guess I’ve become complacent what with high school being completed and my time being free. Also, after reading those words of advice from King I became afraid that I wasn’t really going to make it as one (I mean, 4 to 6 hours a day?!). But as time drags on and the days feel shorter I feel as though I have to start somewhere, right? And I do have a few things to say – and dammit, I’m going to write them.
When i think of the words ‘missed opportunity’ a few things come to mind. It may be as trivial as missing the opportunity to say hello to a stranger and start a friendship, maybe missing an opportunity for a job when you missed the interview, realising too late that you set your alarm for 7pm, not 7am.
These examples are all prime candidates for truly defining what those 2 words mean to most people. But for me, lets go back into history…
There are names that transcend time, legacies that remain protected and discoveries that have been made that prove invaluable to modern society.
Albert Einstein and his theory of relativity.
Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution.
Georges Lemaitre and his big bang theory.
Stephen Hawking and his theory of… everything.
All of these proposals have proved to be a great asset to the evolution of modern scientific theories and discoveries, expanding our knowledge of… us.
However, there is one thing consistent with most revolutionary scientific theories. If i were to list all the individuals responsible for significant advances in human history, one pronoun will dominate its counterpart.
He. His.
You don’t need to remind me that times have changed and opportunities for women to excel is at an all time high. I am grateful and i appreciate that we live in an era so advanced and sensitive to equality.
However, going back to the time when women were viewed as objects and servants, as trophies for their husbands where obedience was desired and domestic violence was a legal right.
How many women were deprived of the opportunity to excel in any field, to contribute to major developments, to leave behind a legacy greater than their offspring? How many women were publicly shamed, humiliated or brutalised when protesting injustices, demanding recognition of basic human rights? One need only to research the injustices suffered by the suffragettes when campaigning.
Women were shunned they were working mothers. Women were shunned when they were not mothers. Women were shunned when they were not obedient, shunned when expressing free thought, expressing knowledge, expressing wisdom.
Women were shunned.
So, when i think of missed opportunity, i think of the scientists that couldn’t experiment, the artists who couldn’t paint, the spokespeople who couldn’t speak and the people who couldn’t be. I think of the women who stood in the background, waiting and watching.
Perhaps that is why it angers me when people oppose the campaign for equality because ‘times have changed,’ stating that people shouldn’t complain because others have had it so much worse. And i do agree to an extent- many opportunities are readily graspable for people of all genders and abilities –
But there are still discrepancies with body image, wage gaps, domestic violence and rape culture that still resonate in today’s society, holding those back who’d rather excel.
So when campaigning for equality, think not only of today’s problems, think of the women who fought for where we are today and provide a voice for those who missed their opportunity.
“I am not free while any women is unfree, even when her shackles are very different to my own.” ~ Audre Lorde
no pattern followed 