Being The Change We Want To See
The #MeToo movement brought to light the widespread issue of sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation that many, especially women, have endured for generations. The movement helped break the silence around these experiences, giving those who were victimized a platform to share their stories and highlighting the importance of addressing these issues.
The reluctance of many survivors to speak out often stems from various factors, including fear of retaliation, shame, societal stigma, or even disbelief. The psychological toll of these experiences can be profound, making it incredibly difficult for survivors to come forward. In many cases, victims are pressured to stay silent, either by their abusers or by societal norms that prioritize the reputation of the abuser over the well-being of the person who was victimized.
Keeping these experiences secret can have significant and lasting impacts. For the individual, the burden of carrying such a secret can lead to physical or mental health issues like anxiety, depression, feelings of unworthiness and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On a broader scale, the silence perpetuates a culture that allows abuse to continue unchecked. When the person who was victimized feels they cannot speak out, abusers are often left unchallenged, and the cycle of abuse continues.
The increasing willingness of people to speak up about their experiences is crucial in changing this dynamic. It not only helps those who were victimized find healing and validation but also holds perpetrators accountable and fosters a culture where abuse is no longer tolerated. When we let go of the secrets and people share their stories, it can lead to significant cultural and societal shifts, emphasizing the importance of listening to and supporting those who were victimized. The statistics on abuse against women is staggering but we are never going to change those statistics by fighting the very thing that creates them.
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The best way to win a fight is not to be there; it's time for women to lay down their sword. As long as we carry our swords of anger, shame, guilt, or vengeance, we are giving our power away. When we stop needing the physical fight, we're able to embrace the non-physical power within ourselves. This power is not in some of us, it's in every one of us! We are able to walk away from the need to be right once we accept that our power is not in our gender; our power lies in our ability to know who we are.
There are two types of secrets; the secrets that make you feel happy and excited and the secrets that interfere with your happiness. Everything we are is about the stories we tell ourselves but we are so much more than we believe ourselves to be. When women allow themselves to be the change they want to see in the world, the world will change. https://youtu.be/uDuh7PeBhss