This is an excellent time to be a woman

Man, this is a good time to be a woman. The universe is revealing the wisdom and wellness of women for all the world to see. It’s a rewarding time to see women rise to every occasion with grit, grace, and outstanding capability. The new coronavirus provided the perfect opportunity to showcase women leadership in all its splendour.

From Finland to Germany, Iceland, New Zealand, Taiwan, and many other countries beyond and between, we have witnessed how women use their power to move mountains, rather than to plant their egos on the mountain top. Here at home, the tale of the two Mercies (Mwangangi and Korir) has woven itself into our Covid-19 experience, one holding her own at the Health Ministry and the other holding fort as a voice of reason in the press.

There is no doubt that feminine energy is vibrating at a high frequency. Especially now Khamala wefwe aka Kamala ‘Comma-la’ Harris has stepped onto the main stage as the presumptive Democratic vice-presidential nominee in America’s 2020 election. As Joe Biden’s running mate, she becomes the first biracial woman to take up that slot in the history of the US.

Some have questioned her career in public service, notably her stint as San Francisco’s District Attorney, which has been heavily criticised by factions on both the left and the right. But her past notwithstanding (look, I’m allowed to be glib, this is the American election; I have no skin in the game), she is history in the making. Just by virtue of her gender and the colour of her skin, her very existence on the national platform is a confirmation that anything is possible. It signals to every girl and woman of colour that limits can be broken, and big dreams can come true.

Which is not to say that Khamala wefwe should be judged on skin colour and gender alone – obviously, she is much more than that. Her resumé is a matter of public record, if you’re interested to know just how accomplished she is. But anyone who watched the confirmation hearings for then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will appreciate that Ms Harris is not a woman to be messed with. This woman does not come to play. Armed with facts, context, and analysis, she doesn’t hold back when the time comes to throw the killer punch. And that’s what politicians – good or otherwise – should be made of.  Grit, grace, and outstanding capability.

Then here come rappers Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion with ‘WAP’, a song (and video) about the availability of extremely wet female genitalia. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Google is your friend. The song cannot be classified as any kind of art. At a stretch, it might be defined as low-vibration artistic expression. If you break it down beyond the underwhelming beats, stereotypical lyrics, and hyper-sexualised representation of women’s bodies, the song might be a celebration of the female form; an affirmation of the potency of feminine sensuality, and a recognition of a woman’s right to pick and choose who to have sex with. That’s at the most basic level of interpretation.

On a broader scale, ‘WAP’ is an objectification of women. It looks like feminism, but at the same time panders shamelessly to the male gaze. Typically, women would be gyrating half-naked in the presence of fully-clothed male rappers. I’m not saying that’s right, I’m just stating facts. This time, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are on the main stage, gyrating ‘womano-a-womano’ while advertising the depths and great wonders of their vaginas.

This overt sexuality is supposed to be an indication that whatever a man can do, women can do better. The only problem here is that by self-objectifying, these two rappers are basically ‘empowering’ men to sit back and let women do their dirty work. And, yes, I know. This is not the first time female rappers have done this. Lil’ Kim anyone? It might not be the first time, but it is the wrong approach, in my opinion. With that being said, the very essence of feminism is that females, and those who identify as women, must have the right to express themselves any way they see fit, even when that expression takes away their power.

But like I say, this is an excellent time to be a woman. The universe is revealing the wisdom and wellness of women for all the world to see. This is an excellent time to re-create the world in our image, and not through the ratchet reflection of what so many men would want us to be. How about we do that.

Ms Masiga is Peace and Security Editor, The Conversation