SOCIAL MEDIA PRINCE OR PREDATOR
Writer: Lyric Golden Leigh
Oops, I did it again. I ticked off another guy.
Do you want to know why?
Honestly, it is not my intention to instantly show signs of irritability, but what is with the immediate interrogation? Am I under investigation?
In the first minute or two, after Hello, he asked me five questions to my One and Only One.
Always starting with number one: Are you single?
My thought: If I were married would that render me incapable of having an intellectual conversation with someone of the opposite sex? Anyway, I reluctantly answered Yes. He
Second question? Do you have children?
My thought: Why? Do you want to hang out with them? Are you hoping / praying that I will say No, I do not have any, nor do I want any?
Third two-part question, were you married and if so, what happened if you don’t mind my asking? My Response: I was married and, actually, I do mind, “you asking.”. I don’t know you well enough to discuss my private life.
Fourth question, how old are you?
My first thought: Are you considering casting me for a role in your movie?
My second thought: I am old enough to own a business, is that old enough? I did not respond.
Fifth question, two-part question: How long have you been single? How do you manage being single?
Which leads me to My One and Only Question:
Are you implying that a woman is incapable of, “Managing without a Man?”
He did not respond. Interrogation concluded.
Oh well, another one bites the dust.
Most men would come to the conclusion that my reactions to his questions are the reason why I’m single, but that’s not why.
I love my independence, I grew up being cared for by mother, cared for by my husband, caring for my children, now I get to Care For and About Me.
I love that my life is Drama and Trauma Free.
So let’s dive into the rest of this story. My inquiring mind would love to hear your thoughts.
First, I have a couple of questions:
Are men inherently inept when simply conversing with a different sex?
Are men naturally misogynistic? Do they actually think that women cannot “Manage” without them, and if we are capable of being self- sufficient, does that mean there’s something wrong with us?
What I find unnatural is the opinion of most people that women and men are incapable of having a purely platonic relationship.
Since childhood, boys were always around me. Those who were not obnoxious and expressed an interest in my thoughts became my closest friends. I was not a girlfriend kind of girl. Girls were often devious, jealous, toxic (but that is another commentary.)
The “good boys” gravitated to my interest in music, sports cars, basketball. They also appreciated my braiding and cornrowing skills. They seemed to respect intellect over attractiveness and never treated me like the object of some secret fantasy.
I’ve had only one adult male friend who has never openly expressed having a romantic interest in me.
I have the utmost respect for him because he’s like the brother I’ve never had. He loves his wife, and I can hear that when he talks about her. He tells me how much our kinship means, and I thank GOD for the love, joy, respect and trust he brings to my life.
He has never offended me by expressing some warped secret fantasy relationship with me.
I’ve been told, by other men; that even if it’s not implied, it means that he’s keeping that secret hidden inside.
I believe this is not the case with my Christian brother in love, closest friend.
Thus, leading me to wonder, are men naturally predatory?
As mothers of male children, are we failing to teach our sons how to respect, love and appreciate women as human beings and not objects designed with one purpose in mind?
What should we do differently to teach our sons to value us intellectually, treat us respectfully as opposed to dehumanizing us as inferior, emotionless, sexually exploitable beings that end up dating or married to men who believe women were created solely for their sexual pleasure?
