A few months ago, I tuned into the Republican National Convention... just for kicks. I wanted to see who would get out of the "clown car" next. I wanted to see if they would present a brand new Mitt. Instead, I encountered something that I wasn't expecting: Their hostile, dismissive tone towards unmarried women and single mothers.
When the women and men would speak about families and life, it was done in a way that made me feel alienated and excluded. Most of them took for granted the idea that most women, especially women with kids, were married. I wasn't a part of their world view. When they did acknowledge unmarried women and single mothers, it was in a condescending, insulting way.
Watching their coverage, I wasn't angry--I was sad. I was made to feel less than during those moments. But I'm glad that the feelings were short lived. Today, I can proudly say to the smug, selfish hypocrites of the republican party:
I am a proud single mother. No, this is not what I envisioned for myself, and I understand that my son will face some challenges that his two-parent-household-peers may not have to face. I had high hopes of being married and living a "traditional life." But those aren't the cards that I was dealt. I had to decide between going forward by myself or staying in an emotionally abusive relationship. I chose the former, and I have no regrets. If I meet someone special in the future, then that will be great--but I'll tell you what-- The man I choose won't be a man who I am too scared to wake up when I'm having a miscarriage. He wouldn't dream of strapping the family dog to the roof during a 12 hour trip. He won't force me to carry a rapist's baby. And he won't be a homophobic bigot who secretly engages in gay sex. THAT much, I'm sure of.