{"id":2248437,"date":"2024-05-20T08:11:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T12:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/take-your-mark-a-practical-guide-for-defending-women-girls-and-biological-truth\/"},"modified":"2024-05-20T08:13:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T12:13:33","slug":"take-your-mark-a-practical-guide-for-defending-women-girls-and-biological-truth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/take-your-mark-a-practical-guide-for-defending-women-girls-and-biological-truth\/","title":{"rendered":"Defending Women, Girls, and Biological Truth: A Practical Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftake-your-mark-a-practical-guide-for-defending-women-girls-and-biological-truth%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2248437&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The excerpt\u2062 from &#8220;Swimming Against the Current&#8221;\u200d by Riley Gaines highlights the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-mother-gives-birth-on-front-lawn-it-was-unreal\/\" title=\"WATCH - Mother Gives Birth on Front Lawn: 'It Was Unreal'\">intense moments<\/a> before a race, symbolized by the \u200dprompt &#8220;Take your mark.&#8221; It\u200c delves into the struggles of retired athletes and emphasizes the importance of\u2064 progress, advocacy, and inclusivity. The text encourages various\u2064 groups to\u2064 stand up for truth and defend women&#8217;s rights\u2063 in a changing world. The excerpt from &#8220;Swimming Against the Current&#8221; by Riley Gaines\u2063 captures the \u200ctension before a race with the phrase &#8220;Take your mark.&#8221; It explores the challenges faced\u200b by retired athletes and stresses\u200d the significance \u2064of advancement,\u2063 activism, and inclusiveness. The narrative inspires different groups to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jeremys-razors-debuts-womens-line-because-yes-women-are-not-men\/\" title=\"Jeremy's Razors introduces a new line specifically designed for women, acknowledging that women are distinct from men\">champion truth<\/a>\u200b and uphold women&#8217;s rights amidst societal shifts.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><em>The following is an adapted excerpted from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Swimming-Against-Current-Fighting-Common\/dp\/154600744X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cSwimming Against the Current,\u201d<\/a> by Riley Gaines. (May 2024, Center Street\/Hachette Book Group) <\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When swimmers hear the words \u201cTake your mark\u201d before a race, it\u2019s an invitation to the calm before the storm. A true competitor thrives in this moment because it\u2019s when they decide whether they are going to win or lose. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you take your mark, you know the challenge ahead. And, ready or not, you\u2019re diving into the pool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even a year and a half since I have retired from competitive swimming, every day I wake up and it feels like I\u2019m taking my mark. And in the spirit of transparency, there are days in which my advocacy and activism feel much like sprinting in mud. Sometimes I wonder if any of the work I\u2019m doing is making any difference at all. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s when I get emails, text messages, or DMs from girls and women, and even men, who share their journeys of courage in standing up for themselves or others that I remind myself, no matter how slow the progress in a positive direction, progress is progress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the solution for all this madness? Can there be a solution where inclusion doesn\u2019t jeopardize safety and fairness? We\u2019ll only find out if we\u2019re willing and able to have conversations with those who disagree with us. That is how we advance and unify.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I want to challenge you as to how to wield the power you have. You readers are parents, coaches, athletes, students, teachers, community builders, pastors, medical professionals, Christians and advocates of faith, and sensible human beings who want to maintain the rights that women have fought for over the last several hundred years. You are passionate about upholding reality rather than a false fa\u00e7ade that will only continue to progress in a way that\u2019s detrimental to life as we know it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Above all else, speak the truth. This is a winning issue. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_737871\" style=\"width: 394px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-737871\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cover design by Micah Kandros. Center Street\/Hachette Book Group<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>For parents:<\/strong> Stand up for your child even if it means standing against the world. Be willing to defend your daughters. We can\u2019t allow this battle and psychological manipulation to fall entirely on the shoulders of young girls. Teach your sons healthy masculinity. Boys should learn the value of growing into a strong man. Get involved in whatever way you can, whether that\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-parents-suing-attorney-general-over-doj-school-board-memo\/\" title=\"Michigan Parents Suing Attorney General Over DOJ School Board Memo\">attending school board meetings<\/a> or coaching your child\u2019s Little League team. Make sure to teach your kids how to stick up for themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>For coaches and teachers:<\/strong> Be the voice of the voiceless. Create and cultivate a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-moves-goalposts-again-now-says-schools-need-better-ventilation-to-combat-asthma-mold-before-reopening\/\" title=\"Biden Administration Moves Goalposts Again, Now Says Schools Need Better Ventilation To Combat Asthma, Mold Before Reopening\">healthy environment<\/a> where all opinions can be voiced without fear of repercussions. You have one of the most powerful platforms in a young person\u2019s life. You can impact more young people in a year than most people are awarded in a lifetime, so use it to the child\u2019s benefit. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>For girls:<\/strong> Don\u2019t get discouraged. You are worthy. And you are deserving of the same opportunities that I was fortunate enough to have. You are not defined by the thoughts in a man\u2019s head. Speak up for yourselves and others when you see an injustice or feel wronged. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>For women:<\/strong> Stop waiting for someone else to defend your rights for you. The war on women is real and among us. It\u2019s time to take back our language and our spaces. For those women who have been unapologetically speaking out, keep going. I know it can feel as if you are screaming into an empty void, but the tide is turning, and you are needed now more than ever. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>For men:<\/strong> The world and our nation are suffering from a lack of strong masculine leadership. Be the change in restoring strength and success. We must all fight this together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>For pastors, preachers, ministry leaders, and fellow Christians:<\/strong> Don\u2019t shy away from talking about cultural issues that are relevant in our intensely divisive cultural climate. We can discuss these issues in a respectful and compassionate way that still embodies Jesus\u2019s love and purpose. He balanced truth and grace so well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>For everyone: <\/strong>Please don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re directly impacted before taking a stand for truth and common sense. How many girls have to be injured in their sports before you take a stand? How many girls have to lose out on opportunities? Or be exploited in a locker room? How many children have to live with the regret of mutilating themselves through hormonal or surgical means?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even if you don\u2019t play sports, even if you don\u2019t have a daughter, even if you\u2019re not a female, the issue of female-only spaces still affects you. Unfortunately, it took a crisis moment to compel me to push back and ask the necessary questions. If each one of us waits until we are directly impacted, it will be too late.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What are you waiting for? Take your mark.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>* * *<\/p>\n<p><em>Riley Gaines is a nationally known advocate for women\u2019s sports, safety, and privacy; a two-time NCAA All-American and five-time SEC Champion and record holder; and author of \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Swimming-Against-Current-Fighting-Common\/dp\/154600744X\">Swimming Against the Current: Fighting for Common Sense in a World That\u2019s Lost its Mind<\/a>,\u201d on shelves May 21, 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Excerpted from \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Swimming-Against-Current-Fighting-Common\/dp\/154600744X\">Swimming Against the Current\u201d<\/a> by Riley Gaines. (Copyright 2024). Used with permission from Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This excerpt from &#8220;Swimming Against the Current&#8221; by Riley Gaines (May 2024, Center Street\/Hachette) captures the tension before a race. The prompt &#8220;Take your mark&#8221; signals the impending challenge. Athletes embrace this moment for it defines their readiness and determination to push through the forthcoming storm of competition<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3153,"featured_media":2248438,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2022\/08\/D0409874-6A3E-4961-ACC4-248C04407014.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2248437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-daily-wire"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2022\/08\/D0409874-6A3E-4961-ACC4-248C04407014.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2248437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3153"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2248437"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2248437\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2248438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2248437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2248437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2248437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}