I was sexually attacked when I was a teen. I share this fact in light of recent events …
Brock Allen Turner, the former Stanford University student, was recently convicted of raping a 23-year-old woman (outside a Stanford frat party taking place on January 17th, 2015). Turner attacked his victim while she was unconscious. Additionally, he took a photo of her breasts and shared this damn photo with his swim team buddies. For the criminal act of rape, he will only serve in jail for 3 months.
At least he can leave his cell one day. His victim is trapped forever in hers. I know something about this. As I mentioned, I was sexually attacked when I was a teen. I still can’t leave the prison of my mind. The attack affected me then, and the attack still affects me now.
I have grown with therapy. Yes, I am a survivor. But no matter what window dressings you put on a cell, it’s still a cell.
Turner’s father said that his son should not have to go to prison for “20 minutes of action.” This is not about 20 minutes. A person can lose a limb or be rendered paralyzed in the fraction of a second. We’re not talking about time. We’re talking about damage.
In this post, I’m talking about “Why is Sexism More Acceptable Than Racism?”
In a written statement the 23-year-old woman-victim of Turner’s CRIME, wrote: “He is a lifetime sex registrant. That doesn’t expire. Just like what he did to me doesn’t expire, doesn’t just go away after a set number of years. It stays with me, it’s part of my identity, it has forever changed the way I carry myself, the way I live the rest of my life. [her whole statement is here ].
51.9% of American women experience physical violence in their lifetime.
What if 51.9% of white men had their arm cut off—do you think some preventative action would happen?
Maybe that is part of the problem here. Rape and its after effects are not something you can readily see.
Let’s look at this further. Many men in countries around the world use women like tissue paper and then discard them like trash. In some countries women are considered property. In America, women are paid only 79 cents of each a dollar a man earns for the same work. Tell me that is not sexism.
In many places, a number of religions or sects of religion have supported sexism. Why are they pushing this archaic idea that women need to be obedient to men?
Imagine a better world in which equals, regardless of gender, are kind and supportive of one another. Certainly, Wicca honors the sacred feminine and honors equality.
The 23-year-old woman-victim of Turner’s CRIME, ended her written statement with:
“And finally, to girls everywhere, I am with you. On nights when you feel alone, I am with you. When people doubt you or dismiss you, I am with you. I fought everyday for you. So never stop fighting, I believe you. As the author Anne Lamott once wrote, “Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” Although I can’t save every boat, I hope that by speaking today, you absorbed a small amount of light, a small knowing that you can’t be silenced, a small satisfaction that justice was served, a small assurance that we are getting somewhere, and a big, big knowing that you are important, unquestionably, you are untouchable, you are beautiful, you are to be valued, respected, undeniably, every minute of every day, you are powerful and nobody can take that away from you. To girls everywhere, I am with you.”
When is the U.S. culture going to believe women, support women, and throw out archaic, horrible behavior toward women?
In American entertainment, women are beaten, raped and killed a lot.
However, American entertainment has progressed to have African-American characters in co-lead roles. Some African-American actors have their own television shows, feature films and more. (Hispanics and Asians are not always included.)
Apparently, showing non-racist depictions of ethnic characters has become a priority of some entertainment creators. So racism, at least in this situation, is not tolerated.
I ask you: Is it true that sexism is more accepted than racism?
I cannot be sure. I do not have access to all of the data. Still, my observations include seeing women verbally abused by their boyfriends, women mistreated at car repair shops, and more.
What do you see?
And I wonder about questions like: Do women get paid less than men of various ethnic backgrounds? The statistics reveal that women get paid only 79 cents per 1 dollar paid to men.
There is a statistic that Asians make 8% less than white men (that’s 92 cents per dollar). So it looks like being an Asian male has advantages.
As I mentioned, Wicca honors the sacred feminine.
The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. – Gloria Steinem
Wicca shines the way for religion to embrace and empower women.
What is it going take to make things better for women?
Positive change IS possible. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott held a conference to gain the right to vote for women. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was not ratified until 1920. That’s 72 years of effort until women gained their right to vote in the USA.
Let’s continue to speak up and take positive steps forward.
Blessed Be,
Moonwater
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See my designs at Redbubble. For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:
Goddess Reveals Your Enchanted Light: Peace, Prosperity, Possibility Along Your Wiccan Path
Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal
Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path
GoddessHasYourBack.com 