You are a part of the problem. However, you're one of the reasons I am proud to say that I am a feminist and that I am proud to be writing for Odyssey, which is an amazing platform for my voice to be heard.
Although we do not talk due to reasons that I will not disclose, I would just like to tell you that when you laughed at the fact that I was sexually assaulted on the subway. I wrote about it. I was just as hurt and angry as I am now and I decided to let the world read about that. So, I guess we can call this round two.
For you, my older brother, to laugh at the fact that I was sexually assaulted on the subway is not only hurtful but it is disgustingly sadistic. I am your younger sister. Why would you laugh at my pain? Why would you laugh at something that hurt my growth as a New Yorker, that still makes me afraid to ride the subway in a skirt, in shorts, and in pants?
You tried to dismiss this incident as the wind blew my skirt and the man who assaulted me saw my underwear and snapped a photo of it.
I am here to tell you, that regardless of my skirt being tight or flowy, the man did not have the right to take a photo of it for his own pleasure, to post online, or whatever he will do with that photo. For you to laugh at something so traumatizing that happened to me, your family member is, again, so sadistic.
And, I just want to tell you that you did not apologize to me. "Oh, my bad." Is not a proper apology. I am here to tell you, if you ever read this, that I deserve and demand one from you, a proper one.
What baffles me the most about this whole situation is that you were raised by the same single mother as I was. Our mother taught you to respect women in any and all ways possible. So when did you throw those values out the window? What disgusting person taught you that disrespecting a woman was okay or funny? Did you teach yourself when you moved out of the house? If not, then why would you laugh at such a vile act? Do you do it yourself?
The #MeToo and #TimesUp movement may be just a bunch of angry women who are angry but everything to you but it means the world to me because I am a part of it.
You are the fucking problem.
You are the sick bastards that drive "angry" women like me to speak up, march, and write about topics like this.
You laughing at something so disgusting is the reason why men think that they can get away with disrespecting women and the reason why women are so ashamed to speak up. But, I just want to let you know that I'm not. I wasn't ashamed to tell the world that my Friday night was ruined by a disgusting man in camouflage pants physically came up behind me and violated my body. And, I'm not ashamed to tell to the world that you, my older brother, laughed at something so dishonorable and now they are reading me call you out on it. Bro, it's time to tell you that times up for men like you who laugh at and discredit the stories of people that were violated.
So, if you're reading this and your feelings are hurt. Oh, my bad.
