Alison Nankivell, Suffolk Park
Bravo on Nolan’s Soap Box last week – Why the world still hates women.
I read it a day after my first Netflix binge (in a long time), having been recommended to watch the series Unbelievable – starring our very own Toni Collette – and holy shit – it drenched me to the bone. It took days to process. I related to every feeling of dis-empowerment, every feeling of outrage, fear, control… and I thought I was one of the strong ones – the lucky ones.
The thing is women are not trying to take over the world – we are not trying to take revenge or even weaken men. We are simply taking back that which is rightly ours. Our own power. Real masculinity supports this. Real men know the wisdom and intelligence that women possess – and yes, there are lots of real men out there.
The responsibility in this change lies entirely within the individual and those around her. To take back your power – You must first remember that you have it, then you need to take responsibility for it.
Women – stop saying ‘Yes’ when you mean ‘No’.
Women – stop gossiping, stop comparing – yourself, looks or success to other women – there is no need to compete – there is only one you.
Women – live deeply in your own truth – if you are unsure of that – go and figure it out (it’s the only thing worth doing).
Women – stop feeling bad about yourself. You are beautiful.
Women – look after each other – not in the attack of men – but in the strengthening of who you really are, which is un-fucking-stoppable!
In the end – the weak men will crumble. They always do… go forward fearlessly into your 2020! You got this!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
