I see that the last post I made was in 2017 and it was about activist fatigue. Interesting that the first post in a long time is about activist anger.
I'm angry.
Angry that women aren't listened to. Angry that some men, especially those in power, seem to have this loathing for women. Angry that women haven't raised their sons to respect women. Angry that women roll over and show their bellies to men and some angry women. Angry that women seem to be okay with subservience, who don't believe that they are equal and should enjoy the same status in life, politics and business that men do.
I'm angry at the men who aren't listening. Angry that men aren't raising their sons to respect women. Angry that men expect women to roll over and show their bellies. Angry that men expect women to be subservient and don't believe that women are equal and should enjoy the same status in live, politics and business that men do.
I'm angry and yes, the above statements are broad generalizations which we sometimes make when we're angry. Of course there are exceptions to all of the above. I know very good, kind-hearted men who do what they can to raise up women, who have worked hard to raise good, respectful sons, who work everyday to make sure they are setting good examples for the males in their lives. Unfortunately, their voices are being drowned out by the angry men who want to denigrate and humiliate women, who think it's perfectly acceptable for a boy to get puking drunk and try to rape a female.
And of course there are many good, intelligent, strong women out there fighting the good fight against the angry men and women who are standing in opposition to every forward step we are trying to make.
I'm angry and know that anger opens up the pathways in our brains that keep us from saying things we don't really mean or prevents us making clear, logical, well-reasoned statements about what we do think and feel.
It also gives us the freedom to say "fuck that" and just let the words flow.
Right now, in this moment.....FUCK THAT! To those who disregarded what a victim stated, especially the women....FUCK YOU! Anybody that doesn't know what a victim of sexual assault goes through when coming forward and telling their story has not paid attention and if you DO know and chose to ignore it, FUCK YOU even harder. I'm angry about that.
I imagine I'm not the only one that's angry and struggling with what to do next. I'd offer this...take a moment to BE angry. Feel it. Smell it. Taste it. Become friends with it. Anger isn't the enemy unless we let it control us. Anger can be a fuel that will sustain it...a fire. But, like any fire it as to be tended and controlled.
This is where we are. Rejoicing and dancing in the initial flames. Feeling the heat on our skins and seeing the reflection in our kindred sister's and brother's eyes.
Dance with it. Grab the light, feel the heat, my brothers and sisters, and use that to feed you, for the work we have in front of us is daunting, arduous and strenuous both physically, spiritually and emotionally but not impossible.
I'm angry but believe that change is coming, that good will prevail, that evil never lasts and is weak and cowardly when confronted.
I'm angry today. Tomorrow I will be calm and gear up for the fight that's coming. I hope you will join me.
