Just a post

One time at work, I asked this younger guy if he was one of the practicum students or "just a volunteer" at our agency. He jokingly gave me a hard time about being just a volunteer, and I actually felt really bad for this misphrase that I so often hear women using. It's one of those overlooked and yet offensive little words that minimizes our experiences. And we don't even realize we are doing it. The ladies of Momversation also discussed the adverse effects of calling mothers "just moms", something that happens much too often. Since then I have been paying attention to when I and other women use a "just" before describing ourselves. And it happens not only with motherhood, but also with the general way in which we define ourselves: I'm just a grad student, I've just been married a few years, I'm just working on this one project that will change the world.

Interestingly, I hardly ever hear men using "just"s to define themselves. So, much like the apologetic language so characteristic of women, we must abandon using "just"s in our self-descriptions. We, our work, our choices, and our beings, are important and worthy. No ifs, ands, buts, or justs about it.