(Photo courtesy of Jaryam)
Last week I wrote about the blue bra revolution, an extraordinary response to a scene in Egypt where a young woman was beaten, stomped on, and stripped down to her turquoise blue bra during a demonstration.
In the weeks that followed, the blue bra became a symbol in Egypt for the emancipation of women from religious oppression. Activists replaced the eagle on the flag with a blue bra. The hashtag #bluebra became a rallying cry against the government.
I suggested that women everywhere wear one when feeling oppressed or needing extra confidence, particularly around men. Over the past week, I have heard from women who, like me, have bought blue bras for themselves or others. The shop where I bought mine has even created a blue bra window as sales boom.
The blue bra I have worn to several meetings makes me feel powerful and confident. It has become almost like a talisman or amulet. It keeps away bad feelings. It brings luck in the same way that ballplayers may feel they perform better when wearing certain numbers or carrying charms, or soldiers feel when carrying pictures of their loved ones or a religious symbol into battle.
My father was in the Army on the front lines during Korea. He was nicknamed Buffalo Bill, his regiment was called “The Buffalos” and he gave every one of his men a Buffalo nickel to carry with them at all times. Today, if you run into a “Buffalo,” he (or she) will always have a Buffalo nickel in their pocket.
I wear a Buffalo Nickel on a chain around my neck. It reminds me of my father, a warrior, and that he always vanquished his enemy. The blue bra works the same way. When one wears it, either literally or spiritually, you feel there is nothing that can stop you. And there isn’t.
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