Highly Critical

Being a woman is so expensive and men want to keep it that way . Part of the patriarchy is using money as a tool to exert control over women by paying men more money , by limiting the employment options that women occupy, by encouraging women to compete with the ever-changing standard of beauty. Trends  are a way for businesses to profit from the concept that women are not acceptable in our natural states. We're currently watching the short-lived era of big butts and lips transform into a more soft, realistic aesthetic because who can afford to maintain artificial beauty, besides the affluent and famous? White women have been going all out to mimic the current standard of caucasian beauty (Kim K) by enhancing/over-accentuating their butts, lips, and tans. Cosmetic surgery, lip fillers, and foundation that's six shades too dark add up fast. In this economy, where underemployment is rampant and the cost of living has outpaced wages , this trend cannot sustain itse...

Arms pumping, gasping for breath, Alysha glanced back behind her. Shadowy figures interrupted the light that pierced through the dense, matted treetops. It was hard enough for her to slip past branches that snagged at her, much more so while running as fast as her heart would allow. Suddenly, a prone tree appeared on the path. Alysha vaulted and stumbled on some roots that protruded through the Earth. She scrambled back to her feet. The figures circled around her, closing in on their prey. Closer and closer, they crept. Alysha noticed the glint of their eyes reflecting the lone rays of yellow moonlight. If it wasn’t for the patches of light, her faceless attackers would’ve blended into the surrounding night. No eyes, nose or mouth yet these predators sensed her. Perhaps it was the fear flowing from Alysha’s pores that gave her away. Closer and closer, still. She began to hear a deep, baritone growl all around her. Was it possible for animals or humanoid beasts to harmonize? ...