A Letter from a Girl Living in a Man's World

I was recently on the receiving end of, honestly.. I don’t even know the word for it, really. Some serious mansplain- that is for sure.

I think sometimes we throw that word around in jest- but the concept at its core is very real.

The details of the conversation (topic was sports)- or berating rather, are not what is important. The thing that struck me the most though was how I felt attacked.

This man, with just his words, literally verbally assaulted me, tried to make me feel silly and less than- like I didn’t belong. The most isolating feeling brought on in just a few short moments with a swift tongue and a few cutting sentences- maybe a little liquid courage in between.

And I remember looking at him and thinking- Do you even know who I am? Like literally know ANYTHING about me?

Not Kelsey the former Cowboys radio host, even just Kelsey the human being.

The fact that you looked at me and your brain made this misguided connection before I even opened my mouth.

But honestly, that’s the thing- it doesn’t matter who you are, what credentials you have. It doesn’t matter one bit because NO ONE deserves to be treated like that. Talked down to, spoken to as less than- seemingly for just sitting there and being themselves. Literally just being themselves.

I mean, could you imagine if the topic of our conversation had been more serious? If my skin was a different color, if I liked people of the same sex, if me just being myself represented something that sparked such a vile response in another human being?

Damn. Now that is a sobering thought.

This in no way even begins to relate- in fact it wildly pales in comparison. But just that small moment. That feeling. Yeah, that was something I will never forget.

And this is not a call to raise your pitchforks. Because as much as I was team “f*ck that guy” the night before- he got my information and reached out the next day- completely humiliated by his behavior and beyond apologetic. And I respect that. I respect the hell out of it.

Because everyone slips up, acts a fool- everyone needs a little grace. Myself included.

So anyway, I don’t quite have many key learnings from this, so much so as thoughts and observations. Things that were swirling around in my head in the moments after that I felt compelled to put on paper.

But I will say this- if you’re a girl and you want to watch, learn, listen or even begin talk about sports- you do it. I don’t care if you’ve played, I don’t care if you haven’t. You don’t have to know it all and not everyone has to agree with you. You are not less than because you are female. Do not let anyone ever make you feel otherwise.