W. A. R.

“When she talks, I hear the revolution

In her kiss, I taste the revolution

Rebel girl, rebel girl,”

—Bikini Kill, from the single Rebel Girl (1993)

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    As a society that is slowly plundering to the depths of a polarized psychosis, we are soon entering the gates of brawny fascism. Most mimic those before us, the ones who curled and conjure a sense of disconnect with what is truly right for every individual. If you've ever played the infamous commanding game of Simon Says, it's clear to see a resemblance of doing what you're told, or conforming, even when the command is merely vague or deceptive in it's actuality of impact; you agonizingly nod your head in a confused agreeance without knowing the sealed fate of the terms and conditions. And because of this unknown compliance, there is a majority of us, who are individualized and protected by the armor of our autonomy, who feel a detrimental erasure and adamant violation towards what is fair. 

    Simon says, "No more determining our rights." 

    What should be obvious is the actual definition of a natural right, which seemingly is being expunged from official documents by the regime of politics. RIGHTS are defined as, "the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled to," (Merriam-Webster 2019). I kindly ask you to note that this definition utilizes the word, "one" in means to generalize the ideology of rights being for everyone and not defined or given to a specific group of people. This lingering divide is nothing but a mental war that infiltrates the close-minded lens that people choose to see through. A looking glass should not show only the peripheral vision but the entire picture. Misogyny is an internal warfare.

    Rights, in the context of the autonomy of our freedoms, are described to be a noun. Going back to the basics of a kindergarten education, a noun is: a person, place, thing, or idea. Rights are given the form of existence and presence; it's not a description but a widely used belief among the globe. Every revolution has been built up on the pedestal of fire that is carried towards a singular change: independence; however, the hammering of oppressive nails into a sealed coffin of limitations isn't going to stop a blaze in path. 

    And contrary to a somewhat popular belief, John Locke wasn't just theorizing the liberties of an individual. Given that he didn't speak about the inclusion of women, natural rights is the foundation that should be applicable to every human being; our existence shouldn't be a burden towards you because we can exemplify the same raw talents while dealing with more. I can balance all of these spinning plates and still drive to follow my passions whilst you aim to give excuse for the deep-rooted laziness that has been accepted and excused until that rag of sopping disappointment runs dry. And it's running dry now. In the words of Radiohead's song Present Tense (2016), "I am doing...No harm." Yet the repercussions of a mere existence crashes down upon us. 

    Me. Your mother. Your sister. Your doctors. Your educators. Our business is no one but ours, so why are you constantly arguing with a brick wall that your argument has some tangible validity, in a place where liberty should never even be contradicted? 

    YOU have the right to be a mime, to fight something completely invisible and internal within yourself, but don't reprimand me for MY choice to do as I please.   

Works Cited

            Merriam-Webster. (2019). Definition of right. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right Accessed Mar 27. 2025

            Radiohead. "Present Tense." A Moon Shaped Pool,        2016. https://open.spotify.com/track/7KHQtpLpoIV3Wfu22YQT8y 

            Accessed Mar 27. 2025.