This was a difficult read but accurate and necessary. As a woman I didn’t feel anger as much as rage, not for me. Like you said we’ve lived through it, but for my children and grandchildren. I have the calluses and I want to guide the way for them, protect them, be their shield, and I will as long as I can but I am also forewarning them and teaching them, grandson and granddaughters. This is our battle and we can’t falter. If that sounds melodramatic. Open your eyes and face the reality of who and what these people are and what they are capable of.
Female. Raped in childhood - early on and immediately before puberty. A couple of pieces of missing time in my mental recall since then that suggest there are a few more assaults I haven’t been strong enough to recall yet (bear in mind that I had a photographic memory for decades).
So I’m unequivocally on your side. Call it when I see it, and do whatever I can to protect the vulnerable. And by the way, any vulnerable being. Human, ape, dog, wolf, cat, leopard, whale, hyrax, et cetera. Hurt any living being for “fun” and I am your enemy even if you don’t realize it.
There is too much cruelty in the world already. Fight it as much as you can. And by the way, honesty may hurt a bit but it beats being on the other side.
SPOTTTTT ON. Couldn’t agree more. So grateful you have put words to this - and linked all the components - to show how deeply, critically fundamental this issue is to democracy. It has broken my heart for years, and confounded me for all my life, that I so very rarely see men (even my liberal men friends) stand up meaningfully and/or routinely for women’s rights, women’s freedoms, women’s voices and their dignity. (Except when it benefits them. And I love men, don’t get me wrong!) I think linking the acceptance and promotion of these attitudes and behaviors to NOT COMPATIBLE WITH DEMOCRACY are just spot on. I’m so so heartened to hear you articulate all this. I just wish more men (and people) could say - and see - all this. I will pass this essay along. Thank you Thank you.
As an 87 year old woman, I find this article to be the most powerful and honest statement of what it has been like to be a woman on this planet! Thank you for your honesty and courage to expose what I (we) have experienced over and over again! My soul cries out in gratitude!
I’m one of the ‘lucky ones’ I was ‘only’ groped in a crowd. I still remember it as if it were yesterday. We must all work together to flush out and prosecute the scum.
This was a difficult read but accurate and necessary. As a woman I didn’t feel anger as much as rage, not for me. Like you said we’ve lived through it, but for my children and grandchildren. I have the calluses and I want to guide the way for them, protect them, be their shield, and I will as long as I can but I am also forewarning them and teaching them, grandson and granddaughters. This is our battle and we can’t falter. If that sounds melodramatic. Open your eyes and face the reality of who and what these people are and what they are capable of.
Thank you SJ. We’re so grateful for the feedback, and glad that you’re on our team in this fight.
WELL SAID AND TRUE!
Female. Raped in childhood - early on and immediately before puberty. A couple of pieces of missing time in my mental recall since then that suggest there are a few more assaults I haven’t been strong enough to recall yet (bear in mind that I had a photographic memory for decades).
So I’m unequivocally on your side. Call it when I see it, and do whatever I can to protect the vulnerable. And by the way, any vulnerable being. Human, ape, dog, wolf, cat, leopard, whale, hyrax, et cetera. Hurt any living being for “fun” and I am your enemy even if you don’t realize it.
There is too much cruelty in the world already. Fight it as much as you can. And by the way, honesty may hurt a bit but it beats being on the other side.
Thanks for your bravery.
SPOTTTTT ON. Couldn’t agree more. So grateful you have put words to this - and linked all the components - to show how deeply, critically fundamental this issue is to democracy. It has broken my heart for years, and confounded me for all my life, that I so very rarely see men (even my liberal men friends) stand up meaningfully and/or routinely for women’s rights, women’s freedoms, women’s voices and their dignity. (Except when it benefits them. And I love men, don’t get me wrong!) I think linking the acceptance and promotion of these attitudes and behaviors to NOT COMPATIBLE WITH DEMOCRACY are just spot on. I’m so so heartened to hear you articulate all this. I just wish more men (and people) could say - and see - all this. I will pass this essay along. Thank you Thank you.
Extremely well written and a clarion call for all to stand up against this rot in our societies.
As an 87 year old woman, I find this article to be the most powerful and honest statement of what it has been like to be a woman on this planet! Thank you for your honesty and courage to expose what I (we) have experienced over and over again! My soul cries out in gratitude!
I’m one of the ‘lucky ones’ I was ‘only’ groped in a crowd. I still remember it as if it were yesterday. We must all work together to flush out and prosecute the scum.
I’m so sorry
PS And yes, flush them out and prosecute them. Every last one of them. It’s one of the major reasons Blue Amp Media exists.