I have a challenge for you. Tomorrow, as you walk around and interact with others, write down how many times you said “sorry.” Whether it be because you bumped into someone, went for that last piece of pizza at TDR, or spoke before someone else — count up the sorry’s.
Back in June, Pantene came out with a commercial called “Not Sorry.” Used for their #ShineStrong campaign, it showcased how women do not stand up for themselves in situations and instead of doing something, they hide behind their “sorry.” Garnering 15 million views, it has been yet another example of the growing feminism argument happening today.
Is it true that women say sorry too much? Or is sorry even the problem? When I was growing up, my mother told me to apologize whenever I was rude, mean, or was not polite in some way. She was not teaching me to not stand up for myself, or coward behind my thoughts, it was that she was just trying to teach me to be courteous and respectful of others- like every other mom has for their daughter. But does that mean that we have to apologize for everything?
In the video, they showcase situations such as a woman apologizing for moving her seat over for a man who needs to sit down, a woman trying to interject a point during a business meeting or a mother handing her baby off to her husband so she can make dinner. It is pretty easy to say that the word “sorry” was not needed in those situations. As I watched the video, I realized how ridiculous it sounded. Why is she saying sorry? She has absolutely nothing to be sorry for. So she had to move her seat, I’m sorry that guy was late to a meeting. She had to interrupt her boss, I’m sorry that he was incorrect. She had to give the father his baby so she could make dinner, I’m sorry he is not trying to multitask.
By no means am I trying to say that men are idiots and women are too shy to stand up for ourselves. Some may say that I was too harsh in that last example – and that very well may be true. But, more or less, the argument is the same. We need to get to a point in society where woman do not feel the need to hide behind the “sorry veil”. To some women, without this veil, they feel like they are not allowed to speak their minds, without the worry that they are coming on too strong.
Just like at the very end of the video, it is time to be “Sorry Not Sorry.” Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself. Say what you want to say, do what you want to do and do not hide behind the veil. Because you do not have to. Be confident and proud of yourself. So when you try the “sorry challenge”, stop yourself before you say the s-word and do what you want to do. I believe in you. #sorrynotsorry
Photo Credit: Blair
Video Credit: Pantene