I’m not going to make this too complicated for the sake of my sanity. Have you been to the grocery store lately? Or have you purchased a beauty product, shampoo, conditioner, body wash? Anything for females? You could be a guy shopping for your wife or sister, mother. Notice that the same item will be much cheaper if it’s not in bright, gender-defining colors. Or if it doesn’t say “women,” “female,” or some other word like that on it.
As women, we miss out on a lot. Some argue that we have plenty to be thankful for as well. As human beings, sure. We do. The problems are not the blessings and infinite worldly gains that Allah has given us in this world and promises us in the next. The problem is what is being taken away from us by other humans who can’t seem to stop wanting to either control others or simply make a buck off of them.
Now, go to the men’s section and pick up the same product, and it will be cheaper, the box might be in a color that hurts the eyes. That’s my personal opinion. Color means nothing. It’s just a personal choice. Although, I will admit that many times men’s items look boring and dull. Not all men are bland and color blind. They can see and appreciate a range of colors beyond black and white. Am I correct in assuming that? I’m not a guy, so I might not have all the facts. Far be it for me to ever womansplain anything.
Women’s clothes are way more expensive, and we don’t even get pockets. I got keys; I got a wallet and a phone. Sometimes I don’t want to carry a purse. Why is the world forcing me to make a choice that I don’t want to make?
What’s the bottom line? We are being robbed, and we are being taken advantage of, and we are constantly falling for it.
Capitalists are banking on our blindness to our thought process that if it’s expensive, it must be better. Why are they not pressuring men to think that way? Men’s consumer market simply works on “buy it because it will work and make your life easier.” Our consumer market works on “buy it because it’s the newest style, the latest brand the most expensive one out there. Buy it because you will be the prettiest girl at the party. Buy it because all eyes will be on you. One of a kind.”
For this one, we need to blame the outside world less and ourselves a bit more. Why are we letting this seep in? Why are we letting this be our reality? Why are we letting the seller define how we think of ourselves? Why are the brands able to so easily fools into believing who we want to be and should be? The pioneers of change and goodness. The pioneers of making a difference. It’s okay to want things. It’s okay to have something. It’s okay to want to look good and beautiful, and these are all our prerogative, man or woman.
It is, however, not okay to be puppets to the markets that make us consume without thinking of any repercussions.
To Whom It May Concern 