To The Guy I Punched In The Face,

I am not sorry. I do not apologize for my actions. Maybe I should have refrained from violence. Maybe I should have just told you to f*** off, but the thing is, you wouldn’t of. You would have done it again, and again, and again; to some other girl walking home alone.

What gave you the right to lay a hand on me? At what point did I give you permission to smack my butt in that alley? You laughed with your friend, I guess you thought it was hilarious. I mean, disrespecting girls must be comical, right? Wrong.

Before you, I let a boy run me like I was his slave. He played God and told me what I can and can’t do, who I could see, when I could speak, where I could go, what I could wear, etc. I was his play-toy and I had no say. Before you, I let rape-jokes go unnoticed and cracks at my appearance slide. It wasn’t until a year or two later, after months and months of emotional damage, that I looked down and realized how bruised my knees were. I got the hell up. From that day on I promised no one was in control of my body but me. No man had permission to use me as his entertainment. I was in charge. I highly doubt your mother allows you to show her disrespect like that, so what gives you the right to show a stranger any less than dignity.

After you came up behind me and had your little laugh, I turned around to ask you what exactly you thought you were doing. You laughed. You knuckle-punched your friend and chuckled at my disgust. So then, with no regret, I swung. My fist slid across your face, and boy, did you not ever see that coming. Did you think I was fragile and scared? Did you think I’d forget about it in a few minutes? Or maybe you even thought I’d take it as a “compliment.” My point is, you didn’t see it coming. You assumed you had every right to lay your hand on me. You expected no consequences. Don’t get me wrong, I have never hurt or punched another human being. I do not like violence, but you brought up feelings and memories I should not have to think of again. You thought you had the option of disrespecting me so effortlessly. I would like to think you will not do this again. I would like to imagine that you felt bad after that, that maybe for just a second since that day, that you regret doing it. I am writing this letter to you, because you are not the only one who has done something like this. No matter how small of an action, it has a ripple effect. You don’t know me. You had no right. I do not regret my actions, but I hope one day you regret yours.

Sincerely,