Archived Blog: 'I am not supposed to exist'

I am a 26 year old American woman, and I never see myself represented in popular media. If media is a reflection of society, then I am like a vampire in the mirror of the press, because my reflection does not show. If I based my identity on how I see women my age represented on television and in the movies, my only conclusion is that I am not supposed to exist.

I am not supposed to exist because, unlike all of the women on talk show sofas I see when I turn the television, Barack Obama does not charm me. In fact, his empty promises and smooth talking one-liners remind me more of the smarmy men my friends find on dating websites than a statesman.

I am not supposed to exist because I am a young American who knows how to budget according to her priorities. I don't have cable television or an iPhone and I do not feel entitled to either. I do not feel that the government should have to provide me with necessities while I refuse to give up luxuries.

I am not supposed to exist because I am an educated young woman who recognizes the sanctity of all human life. When I turn on the television, I see women discussing terminating a life as casually as they would get a pedicure. The rare appearance of a pro-life woman on television, when it does happen, paints her as a religious fanatic who has been brainwashed by misogynist mentality. She is often demeaned and made into something comical. Or worse yet, she is shown as threatening and self-hating.

Curiously, I don't feel oppressed or brainwashed. I feel love and respect towards life and believe no woman should be made to choose between the life of her child and her future. Why are we never portrayed that way? I am compassionate, pro-woman and pro-life; but I am told I cannot exist. Educated, well-read women who are pro-life are never written into character plots. I am told time and time again that art imitates life. When will they stop thinning the paint?

I am not supposed to exit, because I am constantly shown that as a young woman all I need to do to be relevant is have the right designer purse and latest pair of shoes - when I am more concerned about the government having their hand in my purse and clobbering the constitution with the spiked heel of tyranny.

I am not supposed to exist because I do not think the pinnacle of existence is to have fame or popularity and be chased by paparazzi. I do not feel entitled to my own reality show. I want recognition according to my intellectual merit, not notoriety from a salacious "wardrobe malfunction." My value comes from being a good wife, loyal citizen, and Christian. I expect the same from my President. If I was voting on popularity and glamour, I would phone American Idol, not visit the ballot box.

I am not supposed to exist, and the sad part is that there is a huge chunk of my generation that does not exist - due to the millions of lives ended by abortion. My generation is the first wave of victims. They say that Obama won the vote in my demographic, but what if those voices of the forgotten were to have a vote? What would they want?

I am not supposed to exist, yet I am surrounded by smart, spiritual, intellectual, real-life women who feel the exact same way I do! We are made afraid to exist because when I see woman who do speak up against the liberal mindset, they are attacked. The message is: speak up and you will suffer. When I do see a woman who represents my beliefs, like Sarah Palin, she is made to be a laughing stock. Her message is not heard, but instead the shade of lipstick her lips deliver it through is scrutinized. The better question is - why do the media want to deny that we exist? Why are we made to feel like a myth in our lives? We do exist.

Carrie Marcarelli O'Connell writes from Milford, Connecticut. She has written for The National Catholic Register and Catholic Exchange and has been a guest on IHS radio network.

'I am not supposed to exist'

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