Backhanded insults disguised as praise
Handed out to women in so many ways..
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“You are not like other women”- that is not
The compliment that it appears on first thought
Through your perceived differences from others you are being defined
Your worth lies in your being exceptional all the time
“You are so smart for a woman” is even worse
As if a smart woman should be a rarity in the universe
“You are so brave to wear that” sounds like an empowering compliment
But it is a actually a subtle admonishment
Suggesting that you’ve gone beyond
The narrow confines of social norms
“You are so independent” subtly discourages you
From seeking help when you need to
It invalidates your need for external support
You are expected to singlehandedly hold down the fort
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So many compliments are micro-insults disguised
That each time you hear a compliment, it is no surprise
That you start looking for a hidden clue
Regarding the real meaning, you stop taking it at face value
After having gone through this list
I must remind myself that genuine compliments also exist
Passion...unbridled 