Chick Car
Just last week as I was outside of my friend’s apartment to
pick him up; I watched as he looked around for my vehicle. I had text him that
I was outside and he quickly responded.
“Where”?
I was the only vehicle parked in front of his apartment building
so was very confused by his own confusing.
I replied “The white SUV with black tints”.
As he entered the vehicle he quickly said; “Well this isn’t
your average chick car”.
I was appalled by his statement. Taken back as I had never
associated any vehicle with gender and didn’t understand what the big commotion
was about. Yes I drive an eight passenger Dodge SUV. What is the big deal?
The comments
continued as my driving was also analyzed.
“Wow Jazz you don’t drive like a girl”.
“You can actually park this thing”?
His remarks started to boil my nerves as I was almost ready
to kick him out of the car and onto the interstate we were currently on. But it
brings me to my point. There is no such thing as a chick car. Car manufactures
don’t make cars for women nor do they make cars specifically for men.
As a car lover this term “Chick Car” grinds my gears. My
uncle drives a Fiat, my male coworker drives a Mini Cooper, and my father
in-law owns the most tricked out yellow Beetle known to man. All of these cars
are generalized as “Chick Cars” and the perception that they drive a chick car
and aren’t manly enough because of it is absurd.
As I further
researched this term “Chick Car” I came across a valid point from Travis Okulski;
“But terms like "chick cars" are discriminatory,
just like saying someone runs or throws "like a girl." Hey, how does
a girl run? Because the last time I checked, most girls out there can run and
throw just as well as, or, actually, far better than, a guy. Watch almost any
first pitch thrown by a male celebrity and you'll know what I mean. The car
world needs inclusion, not exclusion. We own certain cars because of the appeal
they have to us, how they make us feel, how they make us act, the reactions
they get, and the reactions they don't get. But to declare a car a "chick
car" is a misguided attempt to discredit a person for their choices. It's
not a reputation that should be embraced, it's not even a reputation that
should exist.”
At the end of the day perhaps a vehicle might attract a "specific" gender over another but that shouldn’t allow judgment toward anyone, whether they drive a car with a super loud engine or a little slowpoke...and people shouldn’t be surprised
that a women can drive a stick shift Nissan Skyline.
With love from a future 1970 El Camino SS owner,
Jesikah Jazz Centeno
To further read on this topic and some stories I enjoyed
check these websites out
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