I, Billy
I, Billy should have been more conscious to the fact that the same way patriarchy denied me access to freedom and individuality I denied women these same rights in treating them like tools.
I expected society to accept me as I was. I wanted my uniqueness to be understood or at the very least to be respected. Traveling on the road as the 'other' with my friend Wyatt was oftentimes dangerous because many of the small towns we drove through had the assumption that we were nothing but trouble based on the fact that we rode motorcycles, had long hair, and unusual clothing. Some places refused us room and board, diners refused us food and drink, and others tried to lock us up in their small town jail cell. Luckily, Wyatt was there to keep my temper down when I wanted to solve these conflicts by using my fists rather than my mind and reasoning. I was just so frustrated with the way people treated us based on the way we appeared to them and then I realized that I treat women in this exact same way.
The way I used to chase after women and treat them as though they were objects to use for my own pleasurement was not only completely degrading to them but it was selfish and hypocritical on my part. I wish I would have noticed how foolish I was sooner. While I was angry at society for their ignorance I was being the same way about women and placing them all in the same box even though they were all clearly individuals. I wish I could go back in time and set an example for the rest of the men out there but unfortunately I can not and for that I say sorry to all women. I'm sorry...