Why Young Women Aren't Safe Saying 'No,' Not Anymore
The power of a women's "no" can lead to her death and others.
Now we all know rejection (though it sounds harsh to say) is a part of life. You aren't going to hear "yes" every time you ask for something. You aren't going to be accepted for everything you apply for. This is the way life goes. The real underlying problem of rejection is the reaction to it. The right type of ventilation to channel whatever emotion you go through cause of rejection can lead to a better morale and understanding of how life works. Everyone has been rejected. EVERYONE! No one is exempt. Within yourself, you must be able to cope with rejection and not allow it to consume you but allow it to build you for what the next step in your life is.
Unfortunately, everybody isn't able.
The tragedy that happened at Santa Fe High School on Friday, May 18th that claimed the lives of two teachers (one being a substitute), eight students and leaving 13 injured was an improper ventilation of emotion due to rejection.
It brought me to the conclusion that the power of a women's "no" can lead to her death and others.
Let's analyze what the victim that spurned the shooting had to go through before that fateful Friday morning. For publicizing reasons I have decided to use pseudo names in respect for the victims.
For four months "Paula" had to decline what was described as "creepy advances" by "Paul." For four months Paula had to walk in constant awareness that Paul was watching her. For four months Paula had to wake up with the thought in her mind that she would have to yet again say no to Paul. For four months Paula had to share the same classrooms, hallways, gym, and school for eights hours of her day on average (40 hours of her week, 160 hours of her month) with Paul.
When is enough? Enough?
After four months, Paula breaks her silence with a resounding "cut it out" with the hopes that this would be her last time having to reject Paul's advances.
Sadly, it was.
Paul, feeling humiliated after a four-month pursuit that led to a public rejection, was filled with anger. The thought of being told no puts Paul through the Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle. Paul wanted to make Paula feel the same way she had just made him feel. After two weeks Paul had come to accept what he could not control but decided to make matter into his own hands. He decided what he wanted to do.
Kill Paula.
Was Paula wrong in saying no? After being advanced upon for four months wouldn't anyone be fed up?
Roughly two weeks outside of school being closed this is how they are ending a long gruesome school year. Instead of looking for cruise tickets families are looking for caskets. Instead of apathy, we want to change. Instead of sending condolences, spark change.
Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that there is a pair of forces acting on two objects in every interaction.
If a woman says "no" is the equal reaction death?
