Being that we live in a patriarchal world, the standards that define womanhood or how a woman should behave are rooted in misogyny. A good woman is submissive, always kind, modest and soft spoken. She cleans, cooks and is basically the background to a man’s foreground.

Women who don’t fit into such confines are thus viewed as “bad” women. If you’re outspoken, independent, ambitious or fond of showing skin in your fashion choices, you’ll be viewed negatively by men and, unfortunately, other women who have internalized their misogyny. 

This is what makes combatting the patriarchy so difficult. Both men and women are active agents in the continuation of this system. 

Though the patriarchy has had numerous problematic effects on the minds of women and men, that’s not the main point of this piece. In contrast, I’m arguing that unhinged women will save us all from the violent and overbearing monster that is misogyny.

Throughout my life, I’ve occasionally heard the phrase, “Unruly women make history,” and I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment. Women who challenge the status quo are trailblazers. “Bad” women like them are actually good, and more women should recognize that.

I’ve noticed that “bad” women tend to have the same qualities. They either cuss, drink, love to go out or wear a lot of makeup. And they can be promiscuous or always have something to say. It’s crazy to think about how arbitrary some of those traits are, because how does makeup lessen a woman’s value? 

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These misogynistic standards are ludicrous to say the least, and they contradict themselves. Don’t show your skin or you risk being harassed, yet even when you’re fully clothed, you can still be sexualized. Ask hijabi women. 

If you don’t want to do something, just say no, but even that response can get you murdered. Furthermore, you can wear makeup, but not too much. Make your own money, but don’t be too independent. The list goes on. 

The fact of the matter is that even when you do everything “right,” or rather when you fit the description of a “good” woman, you’re still screwed. There will be a lifelong target on your back as long as you’re a woman. 

As a woman, there’s nothing that you can do that’d save you from the violence and degradation that come from patriarchy. If choosing to do whatever you want as a woman makes you “bad,” then so be it. 

It’s already difficult and dangerous to be a woman in this world, so why add more stress to your life by shrinking yourself or listening to what a man thinks about women? You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t, so none of these things matter. 

To my unhinged women, women who probably would’ve been burned at the stake in the 1600s and women who are fed up, enough is enough. Just because patriarchy rules the world, doesn’t mean that it also has to rule our identities too.

So, let’s blaze trails. We ride at dawn. 
Amyri Jones is a 22-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge.