So I recently just heard about this thing called
the dream gap.
And it's this idea that some girls between the
ages of 6 and 7, start to doubt themselves
and how smart they are.
And that means that some girls will dream less big as they
go out into the world.
And this thing happened today.
Okay, okay, so,
You know Chelsea, right?
She's my exuberant, smart as a whip,
kind, brave, dreamer of a little sister.
She's 6 and her belief
in possibilities just,
it fuels me.
She inspires my family.
She reminds us to ask questions and the fun in failing
and the "what if" in the world around us.
and the power of imagination is just...
That's Chelsea.
And today at school,
they announced that they were going to have elections
for class president.
And Chelsea raises her hand and asks,
Why does there only have to be one president.
Why can't we do a bunch of
presidents that all work together?
You know, instead of just one.
And then this little boy said
she was just afraid to run alone
because she was just a girl.
And then this other little girl stood up to her and said,
"Hey! Girls can be
presidents too!"
But at this point, Chelsea was just kind of confused
and she was starting to lose confidence
and backed down.
I was just with her...
talking...and...
It made me so sad and mad.
Chelsea just asked me,
is it not possible for girls
to be president?
Why did that boy think I wasn't brave,
just because I'm a girl?
Was my idea dumb?
She's never asked me if her
idea was dumb before.
And it broke my heart.
Those words in the class really affected her.
You know?
And even that girl who stood up for her, which was great,
but the words girls can be be president too,
unintentionally implies that they're not normally.
And of course they are.
Women are presidents. Women are leaders.
Talking to her,
it was if a little bit of light
dimmed in her. And...
I think this is how the dream gap starts.
With words. Usually unintentional words.
But they can make some girls,
doubt themselves and what they're capable of.
Girls can be smart too.
Don't be emotional like a girl.
Little bit by little bit, That can really make
some girls lose confidence.
And I don't want Chelsea
to start doubting herself.
Or the world she lives in.
I need to pause.
I think I'm going to play puppy wig day with her.
Which is a brilliant game that she invented.
My radiating star of a sister.
After thinking about it,
She literaly just said, That's not my story.
Meaning, Chelsea's story
There are girl and boy presidents, working together
and coming up with new ideas.
That's they story she's gonna tell.
She got that from our grandmother,
who's always encouraging us to tell our own stories.
But she said, I can't worry about that.
I like that idea.
So I'm going to go back tomorrow and suggest it again.
That girl, never to be underestimated.
But it's not always that easy, is it?
Not everyone is born with the same natural confidence
and support system that Chelsea has.
And it makes me wonder.
Any of the times
I may have used words
to paint the world in a certain way
that limits girls, boys, everyone.
Including myself.
I really think we have to think of that and be aware.
Our words have power.
Food for thought.
P.A.C.E.