I love to read. And I feel the need to keep up with what’s going on in the world. So, I often read news articles, whether in print, in magazines, or online. I’m reading and learning and informing myself, so it’s a great thing, right?

Well, ultimately, yes, it’s a good thing. But sometimes it feels awful. Because the news isn’t always pleasant. Sometimes it depresses me or angers me or makes me cry. It causes me to question and doubt humanity. Sometimes it makes me wish for some kind of Armageddon to purge the earth of a majority of this evil, selfish race known as man. Yes, I said it. And it’s a horrible thing to say. I know. I feel guilty every time I think it. I doubt I’m alone in that.

Most recently, the news has been filled with stories of hate and violence towards women. It all started when I read the story of the girls kidnapped in Nigeria by the extremist group Boko Haram. The name of this group translates to “Western education is a sin.” They have attacked schools and churches, have murdered and kidnapped and terrorized. In this case, they took over 200 school girls and have threatened to sell them into slavery. Slowly, the incident has garnered worldwide attention and angered many. But it hasn’t gain enough attention or action or angered as many as it should. We should all be angry about this. Angry that this group so little values the lives of these girls. Angry that these girls should be denied an education, or punished because they wish to learn. Angry because so many stand by and do nothing.

Then I read about a woman sentenced to die because she married a Christian man, became pregnant with his child, and refused to recant her Christian faith. Again, it’s a matter of extremism.

Then there is the case of the woman stoned to death by members of her own family because she married a man against her family’s wishes. An “honor killing” they say. There is no honor in that.

Then there is the sickening story of the teenage girls who were gang raped and killed in India. Their bodies were found hanging from a tree.

And there is the heartbreaking story of the misogynist who went on a killing rampage. That took place here, on American soil, in my own home state. But in a way, that too is a case of extremism. Not religious, but still extremist. He was extreme in his twisted, hateful view of women. He didn’t see women for who they were, as human individuals. No, all he could see was what he wanted of them. He was blinded by his own selfishness, pride, and chauvinistic views. And innocent people suffered and died because of it.

All this hurt me, angered me, and affected me. As it should. As a female, I can’t help but wonder at the backward views and gender inequality that still exist in this world. I can’t help but cry out for the women and girls of this world who suffer at the hands of those who them as second rate citizens, as slaves, as property. I can’t help but question those who believe women should not be seen or heard or allowed to learn and lead. And I can’t help but wonder why so many of us still sit by while this stuff happens.

I know we have it good here in America. Women have a lot more rights and opportunities than in other countries. But that doesn’t mean misogyny and sexism don’t exist. They do. It isn’t always obvious or extreme. But it’s there. And it isn’t just men with these attitudes. It’s other women, too. I can’t be too critical, either. I understand that we’ve all grown up with ideas of the roles men and and women should play. We think women should want to have children and cook and keep house and be docile. We think men should work and pay the bills and protect. 

Just recently there was a campaign to rid the word “bossy” from the vernacular. Female executives lamented the use of the word to describe women who were in positions of power while males of the same disposition were labeled as “confident leaders.” Some may say it’s not a big deal and it’s just women being sensitive. But there it is again, the biases that sneak into our mindset and color our attitudes.

I’m not a femi-nazi. I’m not saying women should be worshipped as supreme beings. I don’t deny that sexist attitudes can go the other way. They do. I’m only saying that women and men should be respected and treated equally. We are all different and should be judged as individuals, as humans. We should all be allowed an education and equal employment opportunities. We should all be allowed to pave our own life paths. We should not be forced to take any road at gunpoint, whether the weapon be physical or mental or emotional. We should all have the chance to learn, to read, to explore, and to fulfill our potential as human beings. We all deserve love and respect. We shouldn’t be forced to fit any stereotypes, generalities, or traditionally taught ideals. We shouldn’t box each other in based on gender.

In fact, we shouldn’t box each other in at all. Not based on race, or creed, or religion, or anything. I challenge us all to rethink our ideas of what it means to male or female, Christian or Catholic or Muslim or Atheist, American or British or Russian, Democrat or Republican or Socialist.

I also challenge us all to put an end to the rape and torture and abuse and subjugation of women and girls around the world. I challenge us to stop standing by, to say something, and do something. I challenge us to stand up to the likes of Boko Haram. I challenge us to educate and empower the daughters of this world. We can only move forward as a race together, side by side, not with some walking behind with their heads bowed.