Note: This isn't anything book-related, but this is
a very important topic that just had to be addressed.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably noticed the
#YesAllWomen trend on twitter by now. In case you don't already know, on
Saturday, May 24, 2014, a 22-year-old named Elliot Rodger murdered 6 women near
the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara before shooting himself in the head because they had rejected him.
 |
| Elliot Rodger in his final video before murdering 6 women |
That was the catalyst for the trend, but it wasn't the reason. Women have been
abused and have lived in fear of men for far too long. It's time to finally take a
stand.
Women everywhere are sending a clear message with this trend: "We are no longer going to sit quietly and let ourselves be oppressed!" We are letting the entire world know what we have to put up with everyday since we were as young as thirteen years old, or maybe even younger.
It got me thinking of how Farah and I were planning to go to an amusement park with a group of friends (all girls) and some of our friends chose not to come because it wouldn't be safe. Those of us that are going are really nervous and we're all taking precautions like wearing long-sleeved shirts and baggy pants, so we'd have a better chance of being left alone. Why do we live in a world like this?
Women from all over the world have been brave enough to share their stories and we can relate to every single one of them. It makes me sick to see how so many of us have been harassed or abused and haven't gotten any justice for it. What makes me even more sick is that a lot of men have bashed these women, claiming that they "asked for it" because of the way they dressed, as if that totally justifies rape, or "not all men are like that." The problem is that men who aren't like that do nothing to stop those who are. I've seen the word "feminazi" so many times, it makes me want to scream! Though, to be fair, lots of men have been very supportive too, so kudos to you if you're one of these commendable men. If only all of the men in the world were like you, we wouldn't need this hashtag in the first place!
Don't go about thinking that this is just some silly trend that will be forgotten in a few days. It will only be forgotten if you let it. This hashtag is such a powerful and effective way to stand up to sexism and misogyny. So ladies, don't be afraid to share your horrible experiences because you're showing the world that you're not going to stand for it anymore and you're giving other girls the courage to speak up too by showing them that they're not alone. Your voice is important, so let it be heard. And if you're a man, don't get all defensive and just hear what women have to say. Read, empathize, learn.
Some of the tweets that have been posted:
#YesAllWomen because even a taped confession admitting to raping me wasn't enough to put him in jail.
— Jessi Smiles (@jessismiles__) May 26, 2014
The #yesallwomen hashtag is filled with hard, true, sad and angry things. I can empathise & try to understand & know I never entirely will.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) May 25, 2014
The cops who asked me "Well, what were you wearing?" when I reported an attack and attempted rape. #YesAllWomen
— Aimee Mann (@aimeemann) May 25, 2014
No, #NotAllMen are violent against women, but #YesAllWomen have to navigate a world where those who are look the same as those who aren't.
— Karin Robinson (@karinjr) May 25, 2014
Because in about 30 states, rapists whose victims choose to keep the baby can get parental rights, like weekend visitation. WTF #YesAllWomen
— WonderWoman (@AlsoWonderWoman) May 26, 2014
Because society would rather tell women to show less skin, than to tell men to show more respect. #YesAllWomen
— Erin Pratt (@ErinnnPratt) May 28, 2014
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