Wonder Woman

I actually have a superhero alter-ego. I call her 'El Feminista: Defender of Truth & Justice and the Emasculator of Chauvinists'. She comes out whenever I have to deal with someone who treats me as less than I am because of my gender. I know that the sexes aren't equal, but neither do I think that one is superior to the other.

It doesn't happen to me a lot, but when it does El Feminista is there to pounce. It can happen with a condescending comment or even with body positioning, which I call 'looming'. These men 'loom' by puffing themselves up and leaning toward you (in an effort to appear dominant, I'm guessing) and raking their eyes over you. This posture makes me feel highly combative and brings El Feminista to the fore.

Don't get the wrong idea though. The majority of men that I know or meet are enlightened and modern and I don't aim to emasculate every man I come across. Just the ones who try to make me feel small, helpless and inferior. To those of you men who treat all with respect, regardless of gender, El Feminista salutes you!