November 8 and Beyond.
A day in America's history where a vast range of emotions were perpetuated all over social media. There were those expressing joy and those expressing sadness based off of which presidential candidate they supported, or didn't support. The outcome of 2016's presidential election prompted many individuals to let everyone know (via social media) their political standing on many important issues in the American Society that we currently live in.
Being the person I am, I am definitely not one to share anything about my political beliefs, especially on social media. So therefore, after the election, I made an intentional effort to stay off of social media. I didn't want to see any sorts of hate, so I avoided it at all costs. Avoidance seemed to be the only answer because there are people out there who believe what they believe and posting on their Facebook post won't change a thing. Unfortunately, on November 10th, one of my friends tagged me in a video of a cute puppy, so naturally I started scrolling through Facebook where I came upon something that tore my heart in half.
Someone whom I am friends with on Facebook, posted a political Facebook status. So naturally, someone who was offended commented on the post. The post started out touching on the topic of the Sexual Assault Case involving Presidential Elect Donald Trump and eventually moved to the topic of America's Rape Culture. I came across a comment, not knowing that I would still be upset about it a month later.
(The grey is posted by a woman and the green is posted by a boy.)
So just to lay some foundation, the grey profile, a woman, is arguing that many overlook the rape and sexual assault problem that America has. She is arguing that someone needs to step up in order to shine a light on this issue, and Trump isn't the correct person for the job. The green profile, a boy of about 20 years of age, is arguing that if women carried a firearm or learned jiu jitsu/self-defense, we wouldn't have to worry about getting raped, so therefore we as women wouldn't be victims anymore.
Do you see a problem? Well if you don't, put yourself in my shoes for a second.
Ever since I was a little kid, I was taught not to talk to strangers, male or female. As a middle schooler, I was taught to use the buddy system and travel in numbers. As a teenager, I was taught to always be aware of my surroundings so no one would take me. Now, as a young adult, I carry pepper spray or walk with my keys lodged between my knuckles if I'm ever walking alone late at night. I have been taught to never leave my drink alone at a party. Can you imagine always being paranoid? Not being able to walk around by yourself late at night? Always having the fear that a date-rape drug is going to be slipped into your drink at a college party? Have a fear that if you get too drunk, some guy is going to try and rape you behind closed doors, or even a dumpster, and no one will say anything about it? Yes, these are real concerns that I have on a daily basis and yes, I'm not the only one who has these concerns.
But if I just learned jiu jitsu I wouldn't get raped! Right?
WRONG.
The biggest place where our rape culture exists is on college campuses across America. According to CNBC.com, 1 in 4 women on College Campuses across America are sexually assaulted before graduation. One in four. Twenty-Five Percent. If a college has 10,000 female students on campus, 2,500 of those women will be sexually assaulted before they graduate. This also doesn't include the male students who are sexually assaulted campus-wide.
Where did this all start? Has this always been a problem and no one has talked about it?
As a woman, I should not have to learn self-defense in order to not get raped. I should not have to carry a firearm to defend myself. I should not have to fear for my own life while walking around campus late at night in fear of being taken. I should not have to constantly walk in a pack of friends so I'm "safe".
The real problem starts with the person doing the action. The real problem is the college student, male or female, who decides that it would be a good idea to slip something in someone's drink, just to "get some action". The real problem is in the college student who believes that it's a good idea to take someone to a party to get them drunk so they can have sex later. How is that okay? When did people become objects? How does having sex with numerous people make you seem cooler to your friends?
I pray for the boy who posted this comment on this status that I shared with all of you. I pray that if you are reading this article and you believe the same thing, you would maybe consider putting yourself in someone else's shoes for a few minutes and be open to seeing another side of what you believe in.
Although 2016 may seem like the worst year ever and many terrible things have happened and continue to happen in our world, people are starting to take notice and advocate for change. After the infamous Stanford Rape Case, people are starting to take action like the two bikers did on that terrible night and the media is starting to take notice as well. Earlier this week, four skateboarders in were awarded for stopping a sexual assault of a teenage girl at a local mall in Calgary, Canada. We need more people like this. If you see something, say something. If you have any sense of doubt, do something. The small actions that you take can save someone from an entire life filled with hurt and emotional damage.
If you are a victim of sexual assault or rape and need to talk to someone and get help, please call this anonymous hotline. You are not alone.
1-800-656-4673
