Dear men, I am sorry!
Crowded bus and a pretty girl. She walks in and finds no room for herself. Disappointed, she stands next to you. Sudden brakes make her stumble and struggle for balance. You stand close to her with an intention to save her from falling.
A sudden brake again and she falls on your chest. You hold her and help her up.
The rest of it turns into a humiliating tale of how you were slapped and insulted in front of the whole world. Dear man, I noticed the lone tear that trickled down your cheeks; the drop that you tried to hide because men aren’t supposed to cry in public but women are allowed to humiliate you in public. I am sorry. Please don’t be afraid to help again though you have every reason to.
Dear men, I’m sorry. The little girl played around happily that evening, smiling and giggling all the way. Her happiness was unbelievably contaminating. It was, as if, everything she touched turned happy. Her little steps on the ground make you miss your new born that you’ve left continents away just to feed your family. You sit there and watch her, finding solace in the sound of her laughter. A sudden tap on your shoulder breaks your chain of thoughts. And I can hear the cracking sound of your heart when you’re held guilty and suspicious for watching a child for such a long time. They saw in you everything that you were not: a kidnapper, an abuser. They failed to see what you really were: a father. I’m sorry. That’s all I can say. Please don’t be afraid to see your daughter in little children again; though you have every reason to.
Dear men, I’m sorry. You fall in love with a girl. Head over heels in love. So much so, that you marry her and make her yours for a lifetime; or so you think. One day, you return from office early to find her with another man. The marriage, obviously, breaks. As if that was not enough, you are asked to pay her half of your earnings. I’m sorry. I wish I could go and help you but a sorry is all that I can utter. I’m ashamed. Please don’t be afraid to love again; though you have every reason to be.
Dear men, I’m sorry. I am a feminist but that doesn’t make me blind to the unfairness you face; every day of your life. I’m a feminist but all I want is equality and not control over you. I am a feminist and I do not hate you. I am a feminist and I see how wonderful you are and how your intentions are so pure and your love so genuine. Please don’t hate me. I do not support humiliating you, disrespecting you or gaining control over you. Dear men, I’m sorry on behalf of all the women who made you think that way.
————-
Courtesy: Jinnat Saberin
