Women are so powerful they're scary, and the incentive to squash
Women are so powerful they're scary, and the incentive to squash this has been going on for so long that some of us actually believe we're subordinate.
Hear, O children of tomorrow, the words of Alanis Morissette, who unveiled a truth buried under centuries of silence: “Women are so powerful they’re scary, and the incentive to squash this has been going on for so long that some of us actually believe we’re subordinate.” These words are not lament, but revelation: that the strength of women has been so fierce, so radiant, that whole societies conspired to hide it, lest its fire overturn the world.
For the power of women is not a gentle spark but a storm—creative, enduring, unyielding. It is the power to birth life, to nurture nations, to endure pain and rise anew. Such strength terrifies those who cling to thrones built on domination. And so, across ages, systems of law, culture, and faith pressed women into subordination, whispering lies until even some believed them. It was not weakness, but fear of strength, that gave rise to these chains.
Consider the tale of Hypatia of Alexandria, philosopher and mathematician, who taught boldly in a world ruled by men. Her brilliance drew followers, her wisdom stirred admiration, and her voice carried authority. Yet her very existence threatened fragile powers, and she was torn apart by mobs who could not endure a woman so commanding. Hypatia’s fate stands as testament to Morissette’s words: powerful women are feared, and fear seeks to crush what it cannot control.
Yet suppression cannot erase truth. Even when told they are lesser, women rise—leading revolutions, raising families through famine, carrying burdens that empires could not. Though taught to bow, many stood; though told to silence, they sang. And today, as Morissette declares, the ancient illusion of subordination is breaking, for women are remembering that they were never powerless, only shackled by fear imposed from outside.
Therefore, let this wisdom endure: fear of women’s strength has shaped the lies of history, but truth cannot be buried forever. The age of subordination wanes, and the age of remembrance dawns. Let every woman know: you are not less. You are not fragile. You are fire. And to recognize this power is not rebellion—it is restoration. For when women rise in their fullness, the whole world rises with them.
CHCuc Hoa
Morissette’s quote speaks volumes about the long-standing efforts to keep women’s power in check. It’s sad that many women have internalized this belief, and it’s a real challenge to overcome. What does it take for women to truly believe in their strength and to act on it without fear? How do we begin to deconstruct the idea that women must be passive or subordinate to maintain harmony in society? This is a profound challenge, but one that can be overcome with conscious effort.
KNbui van khoi nguyen
Alanis Morissette captures a painful truth about women’s empowerment. For so long, society has tried to suppress women’s power, and it's led to many women questioning their own value and capabilities. The notion that women are scary because of their power is intriguing—what does that say about the insecurities of those in power? How can we break free from the societal expectations that have made us doubt our strength and potential? This really makes me think about the broader implications of gender inequality.
THNguyen thu hien
Morissette's comment about women’s power being ‘scary’ is eye-opening. Why does society find women’s strength so intimidating? Is it because it challenges traditional gender roles and disrupts existing power structures? The fact that many women have been conditioned to believe in their own subordination is disturbing. What are the steps we can take to dismantle this deeply ingrained belief and help women recognize and harness their own power in all areas of life?
HNHang Nguyen
This quote from Morissette really resonated with me. The idea that women are seen as so powerful yet feared is fascinating. It's almost as if society feels threatened by that power, which leads to efforts to control or diminish it. How many women have internalized the belief that they are subordinate because of this systemic effort to suppress their strength? It makes me reflect on how we can shift this mindset and truly empower future generations of women.
DVTien Dung Vu
Alanis Morissette’s words hit hard, especially the idea that women’s power is so intimidating that society has worked to suppress it. It’s shocking to think that this kind of suppression has gone on for so long that some women have internalized it. How many of us still struggle with believing in our own power, whether consciously or subconsciously? This quote makes me wonder how deeply patriarchy has shaped our self-perception and how we can begin to unlearn those beliefs.