Yea, I’ve decided I’m going to take on this topic and the movement, but not how u necessarily think. I’m going to give the filler needed to understand the argument I’m about to make because some aren’t going to like it.
Let me begin by saying that as a human and a person with a heart, thou some say I don’t, I am all in support of and for the movement. We need this. We need to have a wreckening for women’s right and the damage that men have done to them in this country. This movement is critical to the development of a more equal America.
Now, having said that lets examine my triple standard for this movement. The first standard is for the woman who has currently or recently, let’s say the last 5 years, experienced sexual assault. There is strong and palpable appetite for their story and their experience. There is a desire to get her out there to be heard nd understood, to have her pain felt.
It goes without saying that there is still a vast under reporting of sexual assault but the numbers are increasing and bravo for that. The fact that so many women are presenting themselves and being taken credibly is amazing and needed in this country. There is little shaming being done to these women. They are the fresh blood that activists are looking for to continue the cause and the movement
Now the second standard are the old abused women. The women who have hidden their past from the world. Dealt with the shame and hurt. The betrayal and the embarrassment. These women are seen as credible but not significant. I’ve heard so many times idiots saying why did they wait so long. Why wasn’t there a report made. Why doesn’t she remember every detail. Why did she wait until now. She must want to embarrass her abuser.
We’ve heard all this before and it sounds idiotic and still out of touch. It brings back the shame and ridicule all over again. Now they have to question themselves once again. Be subject to the whims of people judging them for their silence more than supporting them for their bravery. Let’s remember that when something destructive and emotional happens to you, one either embraces it tries to bury it away from memory. Why would this be any different.
I’m tired of hearing people question the legitimacy of a woman who has come forward about being attacked years ago, because they can’t understand or have compassion for her situation. Maybe if you were violated in the most invasive way, you would understand more. That’s the world we live in. You only understand once it impacts your life. It’s a sad commentary.
The third standard is the person accused of such acts. We are such a divided nation that we don’t even apply the same standard to the men accused of assaulting these women. We will be quick to demonize and incarcerate a black attacker. We want to make an example out of them because they’re the worst kind. Their white counterparts thou, they need to be handled with care and caution. Let them disappear and attempt to rehabilitate their image.
I wonder Why as the older the woman is the more challenging it is for their to be taken serious and credible until they have someone who validates their story. Why is it for the younger women they given the benefit of the doubt so quickly but doubted if they don’t recall all details or accused of being complicit if they did anything to entice the situation, even if unintentional.
Finally, why do we still have such a disparate justice bar for the black and white man when it comes to crimes committed against women in this country. Let’s discuss it all.
thaweeklyt 