Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man

                  Act like a lady, but think like a man? As a young woman, what am I supposed to make of such a statement? Initially, it sounds like the answer to all my problems with society and the people around me. However, upon giving it more thought, I'm not quite sure what is being asked of me. Does this mean that I act as a young woman traditionally should, but think of the world as a man traditionally would? Or am I to be a man in a woman's body...sort of like a wolf in sheep's clothing? The statement is above is just one example of how contradictory this world can be. What is implied in the statement is that as a woman should I should act as a woman, but structure my mental processes and outward perspective of the world so that it is the opposite gender of me. The statement is asking me to lead a somewhat double life. This all brings me back to the a point that some of feminists of the week pointed out. Those is power of a system of oppression have a "act like me, but don't be like me" syndrome, and "act like a lady, think like a man" is evidence of the patriarchal system of oppression alive today.
                 
                  Hopefully thus far what I have said does not come across as simply a rant from on top of a soapbox. The inquiry that I am making is of genuine interest and concern. This entire blogpost was born when I came across the song that Jennifer Hudson just released titled "Think Like a Man." The song itself is serving as a single for the upcoming drama/comedy of the same title. While I do think that this would be a good movie to go see, what has raised my eyebrows is that this is not simply a movie or a song. "Act like a lady, think like a man" is an expectation that is real and alive in society today. And as much as I would like to single out a gender on this one, I cannot because both men and women hold other women to this expectation. It all goes back to my main question...what are women to do with this? If one did this properly would it not make her...a bitch? There are plenty of women who are feminine in their own right, but who "think like a man." They are successful, highly intelligent, possess dominant personalities, and have both the wealth and merits to serve as credentials. However, these women are told that they should tone it down and revert to more traditional women roles. Obviously, here is where the "don't be like me" piece comes in. Well then, I'm still confused as to what the end goal is here.

                So what? Why bring up this topic and raise all of these questions? First, I think that this is an important aspect of the plight of women. We have had discussions on the definition of feminine, traditional v. modern roles of women, and even the heterosexual v. homosexual/transgendered women battle. This is just another dimension to add to the equation...the man & woman v. woman issue. The reason I label the issue in such a manner is because (as stated before) this is one topic in which not only men perpetuate a cycle of inequality but women do as well. This issue is definitely one where women undermine themselves by lacking solidarity and upholding a standard of oppression. Secondly, (going on about the recent point just made) I find it enlightening, and useful, to illuminate issues and topics in feminist theory in which women undermine women. It's important to note where we as a gender do not support one another and perpetuate viscious cycles that continue oppression.

So my closing questions:
                Is it enough to just say to women to be comfortable in their own skin and accept themselves for who they are? How would this maintain or destroy the current system of oppression in place?