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Why hello there journal, how have you been? ... right, you don't talk ... It just occurred to me that I'm basically talking to myself in these journal posts, but addressing it to a journal just makes me feel less crazy.
I've decided not to talk about music this time, otherwise I'm worried this would turn into some kind of annoying music journal thing, and I don't want that.
Something that I've been thinking a lot about lately is aaaallll this talk about feminism and anti-feminism, and here's the thing: yes it's important to understand exactly what feminism means (equality in opportunities for men and women and accepting the differences between them) but I am so sick of seeing 10 Facebook posts about it everyday, and it's gotten to the point that every article and "inspirational picture with a quote" becomes completely ineffective and I can't help but roll my eyes at it.
I know this has become a huge deal because of the guy who went nuts because one too many girls turned him down, but the reaction has been so overwhelming and repetitive that I don't think it will have a positive effect.
The main problem is that women are extremely objectified in everything we see on TV, in magazines/newspapers, commercials, and so on and there's no way that that's not going to have an effect on how men view women, and how women view themselves. OF COURSE there are loads of good guys out there who know better than to trust the media, but the fact that there are some who applauded this man for "putting women in there place" is absolutely terrifying, to the point that I never want guys to even flirt with me ever again.
*sigh*
It used to be that being murdered by a guy I rejected wasn't at the top of my list of worries, but last year I was in a rough situation with a guy who liked me and not only did I not like him but he made me feel uncomfortable even when we just talked as friends. It just makes me think that he could have been the one to pull a gun on me.
He's out of my life now, but just thinking about the whole situation still sends shivers down my spine.
This post is getting long but there's one more thing that should be said: I know that even the thought of being rejected by a girl you like is horrifying, and honestly most girls know that being turned down is really really hard; but if you're ever thinking "okay, she rejected me now she's gotta pay for it" ask yourself how she felt when she said no. Chances are she didn't go laugh about it with her friends, she probably went to tell her friends what happened and ask if she did the right thing, if she came across as mean and so on.
My point is it's hard from both sides, so neither have the right to force the other into anything, although that's the case in pretty much any situation.
I could go on but I think I've said enough for now, this was my first really serious journal post, and hopefully it will be my last.

I hope there was something interesting and original in this post, but I'm done now.

Imani signing off.