Can't Hold 11 Year Old Me Down...It's Complicated

When I was eleven. My theme song was “Can’t Hold Us Down” by Christina Aguilera (x-tina if ya’ nasty) featuring Lil Kim. It helps, if you now YouTube the song, but not the music video this was before internet was popular and convenient! So I have not actually seen it. I had to wait for it to come on the radio.
Okay
Wow! Right?
(The two lines above only apply if you have been an active participant in this story and went to listen to the AUDIO version of the song)
The lyrics that really got me were;
“If you look back in history it's a common double standard in society
The guy gets all the glory the more he can score
While the girl can do the same yet you call her a whore”
I was in fifth grade, again! Before the internet was popular and convenient so I did not know know what exactly what the man was scoring but HOW DARE THE WOMAN DO THE SAME AND BE CALLED A WHORE!
Uh uh!
I would sassily feel line by line, empowered that ….no one could hold me down. Volume turned down so my parents wouldn’t hear it because they “use the b word”
Okay! So now Natalie’s (me) world premier of “Can’t Hold us Down” music video.
(Lets watch together)
1 minute and 33 seconds in and I’m wondering HOW THE HELL are we not further progressed as women. A guy grabs Xtina’s  booty and all the girls on the block come together in support, while the guys congregate on the other side of the street. Ooof! Chills seeing all of this feminine support!
But a’las my 6th sense feels like they…nooo
Are ….please no
Going….
To … just say it.
Dance battle it out….sigh of not approval.
(pressing play)
I’m right.
This is why I don’t believe in our school system. Christina needed me, someone should have pulled me out of the fifth grade to re-concept … NO don’t even go there.
Not to partake in the dance battle, but to stop it. Then again who am I to know…lets keep watching
(pressing play)
Didn’t make it another 3 seconds in.
Initially it bugged me that the only “person of “non” color is a guy and he is panhandling with his hat after his dance moves. But I think it is a commentary on who benefits from oppression. You’ve got your women of color, women, then racial inequality… and who is the only one benefiting. The guy of “non” color. I’d tip my metaphorical hat to this but there is already this metaphor going on and I don’t want to take away from it. Even if I’m making it all up.
(pressing play)
At the end of Lil Kim’s rap she says “Lil Kim and Christina Aguilera got your back” and I feel supported. Don’t mess with me.
(Pressing play)
They blur out Christina rubbing a water hose, but not a guy grabbing his junk. Probably offended the pan-handling dancer.
(pressing play)
Okay wow
(pressing play)
They blur out Christina Aguilera’s metaphorical penis (the water hose). This is big d*** energy.
(pressing play)
Okay.
I expected more “bad ass” but I get it.
Speaking of age 11, Complicated by Avril Lavigne was number 11 on the charts in 2002. “You fall and crawl, and you get back up”
No songs about heart break or waiting for some guy.
Wonder why I am so angsty?
I was snort’en girl power baby. Both songs saying noooooooooothing will hold me down, because I will crawl and get back. Never find me fak’en
No
No.
(That is an Avril reference)
Natalie Guerra’s got your back.
Christina and Lil’Kim have mine.
Avril is the therapist you’ve always needed.
You’ve got quite the entourage.
Lucky you.