On Tuesday, House Speaker John Boehner announced the House Republican Steering Committee’s chairs and they happen to be all white men. While discouraging, it seems to accurately reflect the little initiative and success of the party to obtain varied perspectives, with only 20 women and a handful of minorities in the House. This is in contrast to the House Democratic Caucus, which will have a majority of women and minorities for the first time in history. The Democrats won big this year not only in obtaining seats for the party but in the diversity they have begun to create, both in terms of representation and on issues, with the votes that allowed for it. Let’s use this as motivation to continue to express our opinions through words and actions in order to create even greater change on both sides of the aisle in the long term.

So, in honor of the recent holiday, I want to give my belated personal thanks to the citizens of this country who made me proud. We re-elected a President and Vice-President who have not only spoken of their commitment to supporting women’s rights, but have shown it. The first bill signed into law during their first term was in favor of equal work for equal pay, they have expanded the coverage of healthcare and taken measures to make it as cost-effective as possible, including benefits for maternity care as well as contraception, and they have endorsed the reauthorization of the long-standing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Eleven women won Senate seats, bringing us to a historic high of 20 (16 of which are Democrats) and we denied the election of both incumbents and challengers who have made ignorant and horrific comments surrounding the violent criminal act that is rape.

Again, thank you America for exercising your civic duty in favor of gender equality. But, let’s not stop there. We must now make these elected officials accountable to the promises they have made in their previous terms and on the campaign trail and we must demand more be done to uphold the right to bodily integrity, equal treatment in the workplace, and proper legal protection from and resolution of criminal acts. Let’s take issues such as abortion, often used as a bargaining chip by Democrats and Republicans alike, off the table and also take measures to ensure employers, the legal system, health insurers and the media uphold their end of the bargain.

I could give you my wish list for 2016, but it has largely been covered by a number of journalists, political leaders, and advocates. Instead, to show my appreciation and in hopes of ongoing commitment to these issues, I’ve altered the lyrics to one of the more ironic but catchy love-it or hate-it rap/hip-hop throwbacks from the 1990s, “Ice, Ice Baby,” as an anthem for moving forward. (As a primer, see the endearing attempt by actor Adam “every woman’s dream boyfriend” Scott  to disentangle the original lyrics). Enjoy!

Reader discretion advised: This material may not be suitable for the too serious. It contains moments of extreme silliness.

Yo, Obama, kick it one more time boy…

Yo, America
Let’s kick it!

Equality, Equality, Baby
Equality, Equality, Baby

All right stop, collaborate and listen
Obama is back with my brand new edition
Something, grabs a hold of him tightly
Must answer to the public daily and nightly

Will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know
Turn off the lights, and his Blackberry glows
To the extreme he is a man that can handle
Even bizarre military sex scandals

Congress, go rush the speaker that booms
Days left to pass VAWA in 2012 looms
deadly, when rape seen as a false memory
When it should always be treated as a felony

Love it or leave it, You better gain way
You better reauthorize, Obama don’t play
If there is a problem, Yo, he’ll solve it
Check out the hook while Biden revolves it

Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender

Now that the party is jumping
Ledbetter kicked in and equal pay means something
Quick to the point, to the point no faking
Appeals to employers like a man not mistaken

Burnin’ ‘em, if they ain’t quick and nimble
Going crazy for the equal to symbol
And a new Act, with a souped up tempo
He’s on a roll, it’s time to go solo

Rollin’ in his Air Force One
With the shades down, undisturbed by the sun
The Secret Service on standby, nodding just to say hi
Did he stop? No — he just flew by

Kept on, pursuing to the next state
He busts a left and he’s heading to a debate
Good street cred, yo, so he continued
to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

House Reps out drinking martinis
Old boys club driving Lamborghinis
Jealous, ’cause he’s demanding their time
Asking for more than a sacrificial dime

Ready, for politicians on call
‘Servatives acting ill ’cause they’re feeling small
Gavel, rang out like a bell
Bringing order, bid division farewell

Calling, on supporters real fast
Roped in networks, pro-women laws pass
Liberal to Liberal, the vote is stacked
Trying to save the day before Senate cracks

Maternity leave, you know what I mean
If passed up, face the new ladies on the scene
If there was a problem, Yo, he’ll solve it
Check out the hook while Biden revolves it

Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender

Take heed, ’cause he’s a political poet
Hillary’s on the scene just in case you didn’t know it
Countdown, that’s led to all the buzz around
The right stuff to ignite those on the ground

‘Cause her style’s like a no-nonsense Bill
Possible times you can vision and feel
Elected and sworn-in, this is not just a concept
We make it hype, and if you want to step

With this, she remains unswayed
Fight like a winna, ‘act like she’s not afraid
So strong, her opponents say, “Damn!”
If you don’t mind the plug, she’s a leader in command

Barack keeps cool condemning words obtuse
Invoking the right for the change he will produce
If there was a problem, Yo — he’ll solve it!
Check out the hook while Biden revolves it.

Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality, Equality, Baby
Gender Equality

Yo ladies — Let’s get out of here!
Word to your father!

Equality, Equality, Baby, Get sold
Equality, Equality, Baby, Get sold, Get sold
Equality, Equality, Baby, Get sold, Get sold
Equality, Equality, Baby, Get sold, Get sold