Why I Rise - Part 11

Beautiful and empowering Elizabeth Hensler shares
"Why she is rising...."


"It’s easy to read about One Billion Rising, agree that stopping rape is important, hit “like” and move on along our Facebook news wall. However, I wonder how many of us look at ourselves -- really, really examine our own behavior -- and notice seemingly small ways that we are contributing to a culture of violence toward women and girls? Think about it. How many times do we say or hear or do or believe something along any of these lines:

Rape or assault victims should just get over it. Stop being fearful or angry. Stop acting like victims.

Sexual assault is just part of life. We all get our asses grabbed in public. That’s normal.

Women are ‘asking for it’ when they go out at night. Young women ask for it by the way they dress/dance/drink. Older women (“cougars”...ugh!) are surely looking for it because why else would a woman over 40 go out at all?

Boys will be boys. They’re not REALLY objectifying women. That’s just how men are.

Women should be [stereotypically] sexy to be the complete package. Achievement, intelligence, talent, kindness, fitness, happiness are not enough.

I want to see more self-awareness in the perspectives of average people -- healthy, loving, wonderful men and women -- who believe and say things that dehumanize women and contribute to a culture that accepts violence toward us without even realizing it. We all do it from time to time. Now it’s time to notice it. And stop it"