Courtney Khail “Skorts, Shorts, and Mini Skirts” Original painting, 18”x24”, watercolors, inks, and graphite on paper. Part of the 2022 Sugar & Vice Collection
Courtney Khail- Sugar & Vice In Process Photo
Skorts, Shorts, and Miniskirts
I was thirty years old when you suggested I might be too old to wear a mini skirt. (Note, I was wearing a mini skirt at the time of that comment.) A bigger person might have let that go, but for the next year I took extra care to ensure I was always wearing a mini skirt (or at least shorts) whenever I knew you would see me. Call it delayed teenage rebellion, but with each shortened hemline I protested years of frustration over hypocrisy.
Because no one told the boys to cross their legs;
To brush their hair or dress their age.
They didn’t stress that the boys be home by eleven,
Or taught them to walk with their keys between their fingers like Wolverine,
To check their backseat, or under the car.
To always park by a light, but never by a van.
They didn’t tell the boys to behave
Or even to look away
Instead they made us cover up (as if our shoulders were some sort of moral kryptonite.)
They told us no one buys the cow when they can get the milk for free,
But never once told the boys not to expect free milk.
(Or better yet, that we weren’t cows.)
Instead y’all told us to behave
To bite our tongues and sit up straight.
To always smile, to never be late.
Said to be confident, but not too pushy
Be smart, but not intimidating
Be funny, but not too loud
Be sexy, but not a slut.
But I’m tired of the double standards. Of living in fear of being too much.
So I’ll wear the skirt or dye my hair. And speak my mind and do as I dare.