*EDITED*
While my Crosslites essay was not selected, I want to thank all of you for voting and supporting my studies! I appreciate you all so much. Here is my essay, for those who are interested.
Aspirations: A Mother’s Hope
As a refugee from the Vietnam War, my mother arrived to Canada as a teenager without a home or a language. She spent her time trying to assimilate to a life that has now become the only thing I know. She made ends meet with endless side-jobs, late nights, early mornings, prayers, a limited vocabulary, and an undying love for her children. With just enough money for food on the table, a quick bedtime prayer, and a homemade birthday cake, I have grown up grateful, gracious, and headstrong.
I will be more than my modest upbringing. I will persevere and be the woman I was hoping to become when I was a girl. As a child in the midst of poverty, my mother once had a woman who always came to her fruit stand: she was dressed in a business suit, carried her Bible, and had meticulously beautiful hair. She would always come and buy from my mother in particular, and my mother aspired to be a successful woman like her. I will be that woman for my mother, for myself, and for all girls in the world who live their lives aspiring. I will be more for the future of women.
Most of my life has been designed by men and for men. All of my adult life I can count the number of female bosses, teachers and professors on my two hands. I grew frustration through my lack of mentorship. I remember in grade five when my male teacher spoke to us about menstruation, I still had not grasped the idea through his uncomfortable and vague teachings. That summer when I got my first period, I thought I had hurt myself and I was going to die. This lack of understanding of my own body being taught to me by a man has fueled my desire for more women to take the lead on discussions about women, for women. An entire untapped market of a gender is being underrepresented, and I want to be that voice for the nine-year-old girl I once was, afraid of my own body.
My mother always told me that she worked hard so that I wouldn’t have to. I disagree. I am born from oriental perseverance and western opportunity, and I won’t settle until she never works a day in her life again. I am nothing without my mother and her hardship. I am nothing without my mother’s aspirations seeping through me to become that proverbial “woman at the fruit stand.”
I read your essay and though I disagree with some elements of your theme, I think you expressed yourself well.
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Hi David! Thank you for your honest opinion. I do think it’s important to keep your ears open for when there are disagreements, and I’d be happy to talk them through with you! I know that a lot of your work is religious. What were your disagreements?
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My discomfort lies within the generalization of experience from an odd male teacher talking about menstruation. Obviously, inappropriate. However, your experiences might lead you to your conclusion that women are under represented in the workplace or as bosses. Two points that are relevant:
1- Only Women can carry a child
2- There are complimentary differences between men and women.
Important caveat: Men are not bettet than men nor women better than men. We are better when together.
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Better…oops
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Hi David!
I absolutely agree that there are inherent differences between men and women that any sort of gender equality talk simply will not fix. We as a people are definitely complementary, and we rely on each other’s strengths and weaknesses–the same as two women who are friends would help each other who may be opposites in personality.
My issue with my teacher was that, while he was our homeroom teacher, he was our first contact with the discussion at hand. I had never learned about the process of menstruation from home because frankly, my parents were busy and I also started earlier than expected. The teacher was mortified to be teaching it, the boys sat and giggled at the girls, and we girls were like animals in a cage. The situation was not ideal, and I think it is important to have these vital discussions in nurturing and constructive environments-with women-especially at a time when kids can be mean. Not because we are better, or because boys are worse, but because these differences need to be addressed through experience, and not by a textbook. The same way when you lose a game, you want to talk to other players: because they understand, and they have lost, too. Not to say that he was poor in his delivery (he didn’t seem to want to have the discussion anymore than we did), but because these accommodations were not considered, the girls left the room scared, embarrassed and terrified for the future. Girls should never be afraid of their own bodies. Girls should feel empowered and supported by a nation of women at their backs, defending each other, aiding each other. Thank you for your comment!
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Very well written. Nice job expressing your view. I’m hope you win.
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Thank you so much for this conversation David. I appreciate your input!
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Voted! Hope you get it 🙂
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Reblogged this on Verus Mendax and commented:
We like Michelle’s writing. Please take the to read her essay and give it a vote of support.
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definitely a great cause, !!
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Voted. Very powerful essay and congratulations to your mother for being such a good example of perseverance.
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FYI, milady Elle; i have put your essay to Twitter and shared it to the world. Is that ok with U? U r inspiration to your generation. I do really hope you get that scholarship and stay true to your essay.
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Thank you so much, my dear friend. Of course! I appreciate your efforts. Fingers crossed!
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Voted – best of luck! (Your essay is great!)
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Done, my vote is cast for your essay.
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Hey lady, I voted for you. The iconic resonance of the woman at the fruit stand is powerful, and memorable. I imagine you could also write a beautiful poem through such inspiration!
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I voted for you. Of course!
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I just read Your essay! It’s WONDERFUL!!! Sending You big hugs!!! Voted again, of course!!! 😃
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Thank you so much for your help!! You’re always so motivating for me. You’re the best!! ❤
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My absolute pleasure!!!! Rock on! 🤗💖☀️
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Voted.
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Done , good luck 👍
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I voted today !! xoxoxo
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You’re my star!! Thank you 🙂
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🙂 aww, you are very welcome!!
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Voted! Will vote again everyday. I was moved by your essay, When is the deadline for the votes ?
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The last day for votes is March 30! I’m currently in second place, about 100 votes behind. I appreciate your help so much! Thank you ❤
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Great! I will activate my network so you can fill the gap and go above to win this. Take care! 😉
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You are so valuable to me! I appreciate the kindness, I love this community so dearly I could burst. Happy Sunday!
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And, you don’t have to be this woman dressed in business suit. You can be Michelle. Because your are so powerful the way you are. Social classes have never and will definitely never define who we are.
Take care.
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Thank you so much for your words. We will proceed forward, advance, and become more–together, with each other. I appreciate your comments. ❤
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That was such a well written essay. It drew me in right from the start. Voted!
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Very well written and I applaud what you’re trying to do for not only you’re mom but all women out there. I also shared on my Facebook page as well as voting for you. Good Luck!
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just voted. good luck! ❤
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May blessing of much success and abundance been upon you.
I Am going to share your request for support on my blog.
Bless you sister and Thank You for being that loving strength so many broken women need to see and know of.
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665 votes yes!!! We got your back .. And your mom is so proud of you from all you’ve written.. it’s beautiful. You write with such grace xoxo
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You’re heaven to me! Thank you so much for your sweet words. And support!! ❤
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❤ well deserved!!
will vote everyday till you're the winner 🙂
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It was my pleasure to vote for your piece. Very well written! I hope you win. 🙂
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Thank you so much for your kind words! It means so much, coming from an artist like you.
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I voted for your well-written, heartfelt essay. I love the stand you are taking and I support you completely. To the health of our planet! And may you win!
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Done 🙂
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Good for you ELLE…
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Well written Elle and wish you the very best
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I voted. Good luck, I hope you win and it was really nice being. Able to read about your life! Cheering for you!
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Very nicely written… i hope you win. All the best.
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I voted and hope you will win! I agree with some parts of your essay, being immigrant myself. I disagree with some parts. But I like your writing, style and love your poetry, you have special way with words.
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Thank you for disagreeing! I welcome it, especially when I’m trying to build a community in these comment sections. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion about things as long as they don’t hurt anyone! Thank you for using this platform to be honest, I do really appreciate your vote. ❤
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Voted. All the best!
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Really well written and powerful! You have my vote. Good luck!
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Voted. Good luck! Very nicely written and honest piece, I am glad I read this and it should be honored
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Voted! Good luck!
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Beautifully written essay about your mom and everything around. I voted. When you win please post here 😊wish you the best
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I was happy to vote for a well-written piece. I love this snippet: ” I am born from oriental perseverance and western opportunity, and I won’t settle until she never works a day in her life again.”
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Thank you, Courtney!
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I voted you..:D good luck..
#고마워
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Can I vote twice? It’s beautiful essay❤
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You can, actually! Phone data and wifi connections count as different votes. If you go to a coffee shop that has a free wifi connection, that is a different vote as well! You can vote again every 4-5 hours or so. Thank you for supporting me!
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Wonderful essay. Your Mom should be proud of you.
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Pingback: Reblog, Scholarship Finalist – disue
Nice
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Still rooting and voting for you Elle!!! Xoxo
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Thank you endlessly!!! I appreciate you.
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Nice to meet you, thanks for liking my post. I just voted for your essay. I hope I can remember to do it every day.
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Voted! I really like your blog by the way and I enjoy your strong opinion on things. I hope to read much more!
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Lovely essay. I voted and tweeted your post.
Best of luck!
I’m @ljrwritenow on twitter if you want to boost it. 😊
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Reblogged this on The Materialistic Maiden and commented:
Although atypical from what I post on my blog, I feel it is important to spread her voice and ask that you consider voting for her entry.
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Done Good luck.
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Elle-
Done and done! Good luck! Reblogged as well.
Clara ~.~
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i love your essay. i have voted 🙂
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Done! Wishing the best for you ❤
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Voted ! 😀 😉
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