Reflections on life as female Nation
By Timothy Blackwell
2 hours ago I Magazine
Two weeks after the release of protected documents revealing the existence of National Embodiments, the personifications of the various countries and groups began to emerge from hiding. Most countries are still in the midst of intense conversations regarding the nature of the National Embodiments (colloquially called 'Nations'). In Brussels, the debates have sparked violent protests in what is otherwise a very uncertain time. Without the approval of her governing body, the Nation of Belgium— Emma Wathelet— wrote and published a blog post reflecting on her feelings as both a Nation and as a woman. The post has been shared millions of times internationally, receiving acclaim by many of her fellow Nations and the populations of several Nations. The post is provided below in full:
As a Woman; As a Nation
Emma Wathelet [Kingdom of Belgium]
It is insulting when my fellow male Nations are asked how they participated in their respective histories while I am asked how I curl my hair. It is infuriating when my good friend Natalya [Belarus] is questioned about her dating life and not about her the Mongol Invasion. In the past weeks, I have never been more angry than when—during a goodwill interview with the public, the first of us female Nations to do so— Zolani [South Africa] was asked in all seriousness how many children she had. As a truly regal and composed Nation, Zolani patiently explained that we female Nations are unable to conceive and would prefer to keep such topics private. The international social media backlash regarding this request has been upsetting. More than that, it is indicative of continuing societal problems concerning the roles of females in world cultures. While there has certainly been ongoing debate concerning the self-efficacy of Nations, this discussion is taken a step further when the Nation in question identifies as female.
I have been called the "Battlefield of Europe." I know war. I was born— yes, dear reader, born— with the Netherlands and Luxembourg before what is called the "Middle Ages," even before Rome invaded Gaul. This was one hundred years before even the birth of Christ. I was small, tiny. As a female, I had pressures to be feminine and to fulfill the role of a caregiver. Like any other Nation-being, I can give care. I was raised in a society that held certain gender roles. Women held the hearth. Yet, things changed in the sixteenth century. I became a fighter. I defended the hearths of my people. I went by many names, but others feared me. At times, my own brother feared me. He was wise to do so.
To any Nation, gaining independence is a rite of passage.
It is a declaration of intent— to be heard, to be acknowledged.
I fought my way to revolution in 1830.
Then, Leopold I was crowned my King.
On social media, a person asked me if I was involved romantically with Leopold I before, during, or after the revolution. At first, I did not know how to respond to such an inquiry. Could it be a joke? The fact that the question was being asked was stunning enough. This man was my first monarch, a man of integrity and honor. Human, but one I hold of high esteem. Then, without an ounce of humility or respect, he is used as a prop of public curiosity and contempt. I'll endeavor to remain level-headed here. Of course, the short answer is 'no.' I will not leave it there. I want to illustrate a point for both myself and my fellow female-identifying Nations.
My revolution— the fight of myself and my people for recognition— was watered-down and invalidated by a single, thoughtless question.
My people were starving. I was starving. Netherlands, as much as I love him as a brother now, had pushed me and my people too far with his temperament. Issues of faith, language, and economy played distinct roles in our souring relationship. [This is extremely vague. If you wish to know more of my history, consult a book.] Then, a spark. France was in uproar. The July Revolution sent chills down my spine. The people were rising. The thought was intriguing. After all, the Americans had overthrown England's control. It was possible.
I remember the night it all began as if it were only yesterday. I was in the theatre— "La Muette de Portici." The riots began. I remained until Adolphe Nourit finished singing his duet.
For those who wish to hear, "Amour sacré de la patrie" (Sacred love of the Fatherland). Motherland, but who could fault my people from the feeling?
I fought with my people in the streets of Brussels. I was shot. I carry the scars on my body of the bombardment of Antwerp. I carry many scars. When I learned of the massacre there, I could not be stopped. I would fight for my people. No one could quell my anger. It was not regarded as "screeching," as some baffoonish man noted on a video of Ukraine's shouted instructions, but as a fearsome rage that other Nations noted. A month later, a Declaration of Independence was drafted. If you believe, for a single moment, that I was not present in that room when the Central Committee declared independence, you are sorely mistaken. I was present for every moment, blood still soaking my bandages. I was not adorned in the fine dress of a courtier. I wore what I wore on the battlefield. I carried a sword at my side. And, when the Great Powers of that time [Prussia, Russia, France, Britain, and Austria] supported my independence… I did not accept with a flourish and a curtsy.
I did not twirl my hair. I did not need their approval in the first place. After such war and conflict, I wished only to see my people safe. Those Nations (whom I do respect personally) wished to use me as a shield against each other. I recognized their efforts for what they were—insurance.
This is what began my reputation as "the Battlefield of Europe," but that is a story for another time.
Yet, all of this is somehow boiled down to a question of my romantic relations with Leopold I.
No questions regarding the Ten Days' Campaign and my personal negotiations with France to repel Dutch forces. Or my admittedly questionable roles in African histories. No questions concerning my role in the European Commission or NATO.
Did you know I have degrees in Mechanical and Chemical Engineering? No.
Did you know that I also have a doctorate in Quantum Physics? No, you did not.
Just, romance with Leopold? [Hell no.]
How did you curl your hair? [I do not. Ever.]
What shade of lipstick are you wearing? [No shade.]
What male Nation are you currently bunking? [Is it your business?]
And this is the trend.
This is a trend that cannot continue.
Female-identifying Nations have just as much history as anyone else. We are not birthing machines, sex objects, or romantic props. We are not bodies to be oogled or only praised for our appearances. We are or have been or will be doctors, politicians, scientists, artists, farmers, warriors, fashion designers, teachers. We are many, from all continents and regions, from the first Nations to modern times.
We are timeless.
We are powerful.
We— diverse as we are— are valid, present, and here.
This blog post was translated from its original Dutch by Gloria Westerfeld. Find the original post here.
SHARE THIS STORY
WritehereWritenow writetolivetobreathe
Degrading women can not be taken as a joke. Look at the international violence against women #feminist #FemNations
WritehereWritenow writetolivetobreathe
When a woman Nation is asked: is a war started because it was her time of the month there is a damn problem #FemNations
NBC News NBCNews
Belgian Nation posts scathing critique /go
Perry Connel woofwoofcat
Hot dam. That's how you shut down the patriarchy. #boss
Edith Montague EddieMontag
Though I struggle with the idea of Nations, I do respect Miss Wathelet's words. Well-said.
Buzzfeed News BuzzfeedNews
Here are some other #FemNation blog posts you need to read /lorianee/the…
Ally-oop FTW Jones AFJones
For real, guys. She will punt your ass into the sun before letting you ask her about waffles again.
Perry Connel woofwoofcat
AFJones IDK I wanna know about her love for Gotye
Ally-oop FTW Jones AFJones
woofwoofcat your funeral dude
I'm not kidding. Belgium is scary as all hell.
Watching
30m Hungarian Nation rallies support for trans people
45m Nation of Malaysia emerges from protective custody.
The Nation of Malaysia was last seen in his Kuala Lumpur governmental office just prior to release of documents. The Nation reemerged today at a rally in Kuala Lumpur.
4hr United States congress fails to pass Nation-protection act
After months of debate, the Nation-Protection Act was rejected amidst protests in the national capital.
cannotberightorwrong
If you are going to argue that asking a female Nation why she doesn't have children is justified, you are crazy.
If you are going to argue that critiquing the clothing of female Nations is a priority, you are delusional.
If you are going to tell me that Belgium was being inflammatory in her post, you are going to be in for a rude awakening.
What are we teaching girls when the embodiments of whole Nations are described in the media only as beautiful and not as successful?
What narrative are we creating when we first question female Nations about their marriages and love lives and not about their achievements and histories? Why is the only thing being publicized about Hungary her former marriage to Austria and not her current work as a trans advocate? Why do we only know about Belgium's hair and not her history? Why do we only know about Cree's workout routine, but not about her work for MMIW?
What are we teaching the girls in our nations when our Nations are devalued too?
"We teach girls to shrink themselves. To make themselves smaller. We say to girls, "you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful, otherwise you will threaten the man". Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices, always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. Now, marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support, but why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don't teach boys the same? We raise girls to see each other as competitors, not for jobs or for accomplishments - which I think can be a good thing - but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are.
Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes." - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
#Nations #Belgium #BelgiumSpeaks #feminism #support femNations #flawless
300,766 notes
RaymieRocks RayRocks
I didn't notice that the women Nations hadn't been asked the same things.
BenBen Smith BenBenBen
RayRocks they were sometimes. Not all the time.
Get Real notyourmommasboy
why are people asking her about her damn hair #getbackinthekitchen #abomiNATION
WritehereWritenow writetolivetobreathe
notyourmommasboy really? Let me guess, you're a meniest?
rachelrayisbae reblogged from ohmygiddyaunt
#can we talk about the fact that Belgium was being as inclusive as possible in her post? #can we talk about the fact that she used "female-identifying"? #can we talk about the fact that she was being as inclusive as possible? #can we also talk about Zolani's response though? #can we talk about South Africa's response? #that no one is sharing! #these women literally made history and yall are ignoring it (tags via rightalwaysright)
#intersectional feminism #punches a bear #YES #thank you!
Anonymous asked: Why did you punch a bear? That bear didn't do anything to you.
The bear's name was Patriarchy. Yes, it did.
totheeastside
"We have been talking, Belgium and I and the rest of the female Nations. It is our belief that now a real conversation can begin and continue. The shock of our existence has begun to wear off. As this new reality settles around the world, we believe that we can confront more and more cultural and societal issues by lending our voices actively and publicly to the discussions- from race to gender roles to sexuality and more. We have been active for centuries in the histories of our peoples. We have worked with and for our people to construct our world as we know it now.
It is now time to work together in these conversations.
I am angry on my behalf, and on the behalf of others who have been asked such invasive things. I am angry for Hungary, who was asked publicly if her monthly affected her wars. I am angry for those female Nations who cannot enter this conversation out of fear. I am angry for those who still do not have voices in a world so vocal. I am angry for those Nations who must still hide themselves to preserve their safety. I am angry that our reveal was against our will.
I intend to turn that anger into action though and I encourage my fellow Nations to do the same. I encourage my fellow Nations to speak. We must learn. We must open ourselves up for conversation. We must make this into an opportunity for international growth." - Zolani Makeba [South Africa]
Read: We will make changes together- a response from South Africa
#queen #this woman is my hero #SouthAfricaspeaks
And that's it! I wish I could write more on this story! I hope everyone enjoyed the journey. If you'd like to see a better formatted version, check it out on ao3. I really appreciate all the wonderful reviews, favorites, and follows this story received!
THANK YOU FOR READING!