There was a lot to be discouraged about in 2017, but one positive is the rise of the "Me, Too" movement, revealing how many women have experienced some form of sexual abuse, harassment or assault.
Women's strength and courage is validated by the Time Magazine devoting its cover this week to honour The Silence Breakers. Woman-strong, they stand together to acknowledge the brave actresses naming their abusers. The mighty are falling.
The rise of this movement, during a year when the political regime is trying to roll women's rights back into the 1950's, is stirring our souls. The "Me, too" movement includes just about everyone we know - millions of women are coming into the light of day and speaking out. We are saying "Enough!"
So this is your moment to howl, my friends. Write your poem about any aspect of women's lives, our voices, our stories, our silencing, and/or our speaking out that you wish. Hear us roar!
We welcome, of course, the viewpoints of our men poets. It is not only girls and women who suffer. Nobody wins in a climate of fear, oppression and abuse.
27 comments:
Such a thought-provoking prompt, Sherry. I look forward to reading the outcomes of this challenge.
I do, too, Kerry. It is certainly the conversation that is going on at this very moment on my tv.......they are pointing out trump has been accused of worse offences than many of the men who are being named. He seems to be omnipotent, which is disgusting. Power being more important than morals and integrity in leadership. Argh.
Thank you Sherry for this prompt. This is the culmination of centuries of abuse. It hasn't just happened. It has been happening. The Donald? One day someone will cut his dick off. I hope it is me.
I agree with Sherry, thought-provoking and a topic that can be written from any number of angles. I've posted this evening but will be off to bed in an hour or so. I'll be back tomorrow to read and comment.
What a coincidence... I just wrote a poem for this for a picture prompt. Trying to capture that emotion of realization and how much the sexual harassment is a an expression of power....
Is it oK to link that poem or do i have to write something specifically for the prompt?
Bjorn, please do link! I cant wait to read it. Yay!
I will be back to read tomorrow ...
Tired now.
I love Time's cover and that you're doing this.
So much importance in this. The world is truly changing! So many coming forth, facing fear and shining the light on shame! Mine I wrote in October when this first hit FB. And I am guilty. Never maliciously but definitely out of sport, humor or worst, ignorance. Shame is the enemy here.
Thank you so much, Eric and Bjorn, for joining the conversation. It is a time for growing and I am encouraged that so many are taking this seriously. It is never an easy subject. I hope that somehow we are starting to turn a corner, thanks to the courage of the women who are speaking out.
A great prompt, Sherry. Underestimating women is the downfall of these predators. I look forward to reading what everyone have written.
I saw the cover and was happy you all made it there bigtime. Treat it as a milestone and keep on. I'm not sure what to write, I'll shleep on it.
Sexual harassment eats on you terribly, especially when you're trapped in a job. Back when I was a college dropout I worked in a watch factory. I was "promoted" to a setup man(!!) position which meant keeping an assembly line operating in an orderly manner. 20 women were on my line, very crass women. Every day was a blushing exercise for me, they loved to see this young fellow, not yet 21, blush. They didn't hurt me physically but some would cuddle or carress. I hated coming to work but good paying jobs were hard to get.
Then I got bumped when things slowed and I had to work on another line drilling holes in warch.parts. These ladies were extra nice to me. Like going to Heaven.
But that isn't stuff for men to write poems about. I know though, that many women every day are trapped, suffering this.
..
Jim, i think that those experiences would make a very fine poem, hearing that men often encounter the same or similar situations. Many thanks for your comment. I can just see that blushing, uncomfortable young man. It must have been wonderful to find a kinder group in the next job.
Hi Sherry!
Thank you for this. I was thrilled to see the Time cover and have been so grateful for all of the women and men who have told their stories. It has also been and continues to be very painful. I have written a lot on this subject including a #MeToo poem that I already shared with Toads but in case you didn't see it: http://www.runawaysentence.com/2017/10/one-night-in-paradise-metoo.html
I don't think I will have the bandwidth to write in the next day or so but perhaps over the weekend I can add a new poem here. Again thank you and xoxxo Marian
Sexual harassment is a demon which bites CHUNKS out of the oppressed. This form of bullying GOTTO STOP
thanks for todays prompt Sherry
much love...
Hi Sherry and Toads. Here is a story in my heart! Thank you for the prompt.
Dang! I feel like the bit I worked on recently would have been perfect for this! Oh well, guess I'll have to write something else :D
Timely prompt Sherry. And many would say well passed time. Your prompt in conjunction with circumstances yesterday led to a pretty dark write. It has more to do with abuse (as it relates to children) than empowerment and whistleblowing, and its quite graphic.
I will work on a more suitable write for you this weekend.
We need to talk about these things though. The fact that we dont, as well as the helplessness and embarassment lead to so many people keeping the truth inside of them for so long.
I run into this a lot when I am doing counseling. Fear and intimidation keep them from addressing issues that usually come out later in life. Its sad. Hard to deal with.
As I said yesterday at your place, I worry so much about this generation and the world that they are growing up in.
Marian, I will read your ooem in your site and hope others will as well. I worry for your two beautiful children in this world and am glad they are home-schooled and protected.
Rommy, please feel welcome to link the poem already written. It will be wonderful.
X, i am so pleased you wrote to this prompt. You have a close-up view of what children suffer.
Thank you to everyone for stopping by. Here, my morning is just beginning. I look forward to catching up with you.
I went ahead and did something new anyway :)
Struggles with internet continue here but I just wanted to say what an important prompt this is and how i fully support this worldwide empowerment. Bring on the divine feminine. If I can I'll pen and read...internet permitting.
Thank you, Paul. Your poem is a beauty! There is hope for humankind!
Thank you to each of you who took part in this conversation.........let's hope we are on our way to better days. We live in hope!
Really late to join but I wanted to share my voice too. So here it is.
I am so glad you did, Namy. Thank you.
Okay, I must be losing my marbles. I'd swear I looked in the queue to see what was going to be up for this later in the day, and it was something about dealing with the holidays, so I rocked on, having nothing to say about that. Then I whip by to see what's what and it's silence breakers. Now i have to write something (belatedly!)
LOL, yes, when the time cover came out, I tossed holidays right out the window. I cant wait to see what you'll come up with!
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