"Why didn't they teach me that I am Your Majesty? I came yesterday, I realized that I am Your Majesty," with these verses, among others, the former member of the band Zemlja Gruva Ana Radonjic aka Zoe the Kid released a song on Women's Day that immediately resonated as a powerful message of empowerment. The track "Visočanstvo" is not just her musical expression, it is a song about awareness, about recognizing one's own worth and refusing to ever consider a woman weaker.
It was quickly proclaimed a "women's anthem" upon its release, and it's no wonder, as its lyrics strike right to the core of what women were, are today, and have yet to become.
“Should we wait for them to give us power? Should we continue to be called the weaker sex?” asks Zoe Kida, giving voice to generations who fought for rights that are still often questioned today, in the 21st century.
From pharaohs and heroines to modern lionesses, women have always been pillars of society, but their strength has often been invisible, hidden behind traditional roles. With this song, Zoe Kida reminds us that there is no more looking down, and that it is time to raise our voices, to recognize strength, and to understand what has always been clear: “Even without a crown, we are born queens.”
The video accompanying "Highness" received support from a large number of women from the public scene who agreed to be equal actors in it.
While writing this song, Zoe Kida revealed in an interview with Vijesti that her inspiration was, among other things, motherhood, and she also reflected on how aware women are today of their role in society and the way they are treated...
You indicated that the lyrics of this song are inspired by female strength and are dedicated to the magnificent role, and I would say all the roles that women have in this world. Are we aware of how strong we are and how much we can do, and can we be said to be the “gentler sex”?
We give the impression of the gentler and weaker sex, civilization has imposed this idea about us, and the truth is completely different. As women, we have a task to realize how much psychic and emotional strength lies in each of us. We are delicate beings, at the same time superhumanly strong and fragile, sensitive and emotional. That is the beauty of the feminine gender. There is a giant lurking within us, of which we are unaware. We take ourselves for granted because no one taught us otherwise, because our great-grandmothers, grandmothers and mothers were not taught to put themselves first. We take all the chores around the house and family on our shoulders, understanding them as incidental to professional obligations. We tick off endless lists of everyday tasks, without thinking about them, because we were given them as a legacy, and modern society has assigned us a whole bunch of new ones. The pressures are great, as are the expectations of us, and this creates frustrations and dissatisfaction that the opposite sex often does not understand. Sometimes not even we ourselves. Women need support, respect, understanding, 365 days a year. Asking for support and everything that strengthens us in our complex roles is not a weakness but a strength.
Although the song begins with the lines “Why weren't they taught me that I was royalty,” most of us were raised on fairy tales, and were treated like princesses. But when do we forget to treat ourselves that way and allow those around us to treat us differently?
I wish it were true. I would say that this fairy-tale treatment of girls ends around the age of 10 or 11. Then real life begins and they have to deal with prejudice and various forms of discrimination. And the saddest thing is that the majority are not even aware of this type of social discrimination, we live with it and do not fight for something better.
Immediately after the song was aired, it was declared a “freedom anthem.” How binding is this prefix?
Really? It hasn't reached me yet, but it brings tears to my eyes! Majesty is not a song written with forethought and planning. It came out just like a moment of inspiration with motherhood and strength that overwhelmed my emotions. Just like now when I read the wonderful comments of the people into whose hearts it moved.
Unlike men, who are often coddled from a young age, women are raised differently: from a young age, we spontaneously take responsibility. Through your lyrics, you managed to portray women's rebellion against imposed rules, but how difficult was it to find the right measure so that it didn't turn into feminism? And why is every woman's fight for her rights labeled as feminism?
In this region, feminism carries a negative connotation because we live in a dominantly patriarchal environment where any kind of public statement, disagreement, or protest against the treatment of women is characterized as a threat. Feminism is the fight for equality and equity for women in social, political, and any other sphere of life. In that sense, I believe that all women are feminists, even if they may not be aware of it. I also believe that a good part of the male population agrees with the right to gender equality. These are elementary types of freedom. We live in the 21st century in Europe.
The verse “Why was I taught not to wave?” speaks to the way in which women are often taught to be obedient, quiet, and not to provoke conflict, which can make them more vulnerable to violence. It happens that in the media, women speak through their statements about certain members of the “favorite sex” causing violence. Such statements cannot help us in the fight against violence and femicide. When will we understand that a woman should be a support to another woman, not a wolf?
Women, due to the amount of daily, family obligations and work, do not have time to sit down and think about their position in society, I have that impression. This requires a little time and concentration, awareness, repacking that suitcase of life's obligations. We are overwhelmed with tasks and "to do" lists and at the end of the day, entertainment content on the networks that serve as a vent for us. Changes begin when people become aware, want change and unite and connect. Like the women's labor protests from the beginning of the century that created better conditions for women. It is necessary for that spark to work in all of us.
Her Highness's message is to shed light on the universal roles and characteristics of women and bring them closer to each other. Regardless of color, race, age, we go through the same challenges, fight for the same things and against gender prejudices on all meridians. Solidarity and togetherness would make us much stronger, more successful and satisfied. A world led by women would be much happier, I am sure of that.
The song was symbolically released on International Women's Day. But should we accept that one day when we are "respected and loved," or should we take it as a reminder that we need to be equal not just on that day, but every day?
I think March 8th has taken on a consumerist connotation and a somewhat superficial dimension. People don't go beyond flowers and chocolates. Every day is ours as well as yours, let's just be on the same page because we don't exist without each other.
Bonus video:
