It's Not Because I'm a Girl

My father told me a few hours ago that someone he knows recently made a comment about how girls don't belong on the football field. He expressed his disappointment in this person and his sexism. And even though hours have passed, I can't seem to stop thinking about that comment. As a girl, I've encountered my fair share of sexism over the course of my life. But the fact that sexism is still around boggles my mind.

It's 2018 and women are somehow still fighting the same fight that they've been fighting for decades. They still have to fight for equality, equal pay in some cases and feminist principles. And no, feminism does not mean that women think they are superior to men. It means that women want equality within the sexes. It's no secret that men tend to have it easier in life and that women have to fight twice as hard to earn half the respect of their male counterparts. And you know what? It's just wrong. Plain and simple. That is not to say that everyone thinks this way. But the fact that there still are people that do and there are still extra hurdles that women have to jump through is still a large and unnecessary problem.

I played football for over ten years of my life. Being a football player was a core part of my identity. And guess what? I was pretty darn good. I could throw a ball just as good, if not better, than every boy also out there on that field. So when I hear people say that girls shouldn't be involved in football, I take it very personally. People knew that I was good and as a result, a lot of people respected me for it. But that doesn't mean that everyone did and that I wasn't subject to their sexist opinions and comments.

But here's the thing. I know that there are boys out there that are better athletes than me. I know that there are boys out there that are smarter than me. I know that there are boys out there that are more talented than me. But here's the kicker: It's not because they're boys. Maybe it's because they studied harder than I did. Maybe it's because they worked harder than I did. Maybe it's because they have a natural ability that I don't have. Whatever the case may be, no boy has ever been better than me at anything simply because he's a boy. And I resent the idea that that would be the case.

On the other hand, I've also met boys that I'm smarter than. I've met boys that aren't as athletic as me. I've met boys that aren't as talented as me. And do you know why I was better than them at those things? Because of all of the same answers that I listed above. Because I did the work. Because I worked harder. Because I studied. Because I was born with my own set of natural talents. All of the successes that I've had in my life were not achieved despite the fact that I was a girl. My gender is absolutely irrelevant and people need to stop acting like a person's gender is the end-all of labels and expectations. It's not. If I believed that, I never would've fallen in love with football and I never would've believed that I was just as capable of doing anything that boys can. That belief would've held me back in life and I never would've been able to see myself for what I truly am.

I have NEVER in my life heard ANYONE say that a boy can't do something "because he's a boy". But do you know how many times I've heard people say that I can't do something because I'm a girl? Countless. And it's sickening. What is the main difference between boys and girls? A single body part. Why should my self-worth, my abilities, my brain, my athleticism or anything else in my life be defined by a single, solitary body part? Why are my abilities questioned because of my gender but boys aren't? It's unfair and quite frankly, it's getting old. Scratch that. It is old.

It's 2018 and it's time for the people who still think antiquated, sexist thoughts to get with the times already. Girls are just as valuable as boys are. Girls are just as capable as boys are. Girls are just as smart as boys are. Girls are just as athletic as boys are. Girls are so much more than people give them credit for and we deserve the respect that boys don't have to fight for.

I am strong. I am confident. I am athletic. I am smart. I am worthy. I am talented. I am successful. And none of those things, none at all, are in spite of the fact that I'm a girl. I deserve a place at the table. I deserve credit. I deserve to be judged by my character and not my gender. I deserve respect. And I deserve to be on that football field.

And so does every other girl.

So don't get it twisted. Any shortcomings that I've experienced in my life did not happen because I'm a girl. I am proud of who I am and I am proud of the fight that millions of brave women fight every single day for respect and equality. But what I am not proud of is people who blame my gender for anything or see my gender as a limitation. Shame on you.

-Chelsea