My best girlfriend and I were just reminiscing about our days in the music world. I'm sure I don't have to point out all the pitfalls of being a woman in a male dominated industry. The word "groupie" was tossed around so much it was sickening—and if you said it within earshot of either of us, you were guaranteed to get a high-heeled boot up the backside or at least a steely glare and a berating that made you retreat to the nearest corner. Meanwhile male reviewers, who couldn't hold a candle to our collective musical knowledge and kissed more ass than a toilet seat were held up and celebrated as the true authority. We had to work ten times as hard and continually struggled to be taken seriously. Not fair, but a reality. One of the many things we refused to do was reject or downplay our sexuality or our girlie-ness. We stood proud and strong and didn't take any crap from anyone—we were cool chicks!
Like many fellow female detectorists, I can be a total tomboy. I like to play in the dirt, I don't mind worms and I’m not intimidated by power tools—but I'm still a woman. I love rock music and I have attitude and a penchant for slipping into high heels, donning little black dresses and dabbing on a bit of lip gloss. I shouldn't have to apologize for that, and I'm certainly not going to alter my personality for fear that someone might not "get it". Yet I find myself faced with similar issues in this venue as in that of the music industry. The balance of being a cool rock chick with attitude, which is prevalent throughout the theme of Girls Rock Metal Detecting, and not being taken seriously. The big premise behind the Girls Rock movement is being true to oneself and busting stereotypes. It's far from traditional and not everyone can be expected to understand it. I can appreciate and respect that. I fully recognized that I was going to meet with some resistance when I started this project. I also expected to hear things like "The only reason people are watching your videos is because you have a vagina." Yup... the secret is out people. I, Siren Kimmie, have a vagina! I was born with it actually! Quite proud of it in fact! So if you are going to ridicule me and the ladies that participate in Girls Rock based on our body parts and the motives of others--which we have no control over-- this sounds like your issue not ours!
Finally, the thing that frustrates me most is the imaginary competition that has been created among other women in this hobby. I don't believe that anyone is doing videos or blogs or Facebook groups or any of it, simply to try to "out do" one another--If you are, that's just sad. That premise to me is silly. There is PLENTY of room for everyone to participate. We are not selling a product here people. The viewing public is not a consumer base that we have to worry will choose our brand over another. Fact of the matter is, if someone likes what you're doing they'll watch and hopefully subscribe. There isn't anything we are doing at Girls Rock that will get in the way of that, nor would we want to! The more women out there doing this, the more we will become a fixture in the hobby and the battle will be won so to speak. There is no need or room for envy or jealousy. There is no "prize" to be won and no on is attempting to take anything from you. So ladies, lets get our cool chick on and start celebrating one another! Let's hang out with the guys, have a beer, tell a joke, laugh and dig up some really amazing coins and relics together!
xoxo Siren Kimmie (HDIC Girls Rock Metal Detecting)
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