#speakoutnow

Taking a break from making A KING IN PARADISE to share space with educators as a part of the #SpeakOutNow #SummerInstitute & #BlackMindsMatter events. It's clear that we need revolutionary reimagining education. If you are an educator and want to dive into this topic message me and lets chat via Zoom on Saturday. #BLM #BlackMindsMatters #SpeakOutNow #BlackStoriesMatter #Truth #TeamLivingInMotion #TheProfLife https://www.instagram.com/p/CCt2Entpg-X/?igshid=106yzcs7s9r4b

The ages are as follows: 4, 15, 16, 17, 36. Not necessarily the exact ages I am in these particular photos, but pretty close. Why does this matter? Because I was sexually assaulted by someone I was acquainted with at each age. Sometimes more than once. Each time I've known my assailant and each time I chose to keep the matter private. Until now. My reasons are my own and were different with each situation. Shame and fear were huge motivators at the time. It's not about politics. I personally believe Brett Kavanaugh has the right to defend himself and should do so. That is the basis of our judicial system. But I also believe that those who come forward to speak their truth should feel safe to do so. For me, it's not about politics. It's about breaking a silence that for far too long has been held by far too many women. And men. It's not about revenge. It's not about politics or even justice, per se. It's about freedom. Freedom from guilt, freedom from shame, freedom from the fear of what will happen when people find out. It's about being brave and courageous enough to stand up and say "this happened to me and it was awful. It's not okay." And yes, this is the first time I'm going public with 95% of this information. I've held my silence for 32 and 20 years in regards to some instances. That's a long time. But it's the time I've needed to get pretty damn sick of being afraid and to find whatever courage I have in me to finally speak out. And I think a lot of women, maybe even Dr. Ford, feel the same way too. #metoo #speakoutnow #ibelieveher https://www.instagram.com/p/BoTDccOlCW6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nt16qhnt7w3f

Speak Out Now // Oh Land