#YesAllWomen

#YesAllWomen

 

Because my cousin shared 3 rape experiences she had

And on all three occasions

She was wearing sweats and was brutally beaten

 

So there goes your excuse

That my tight dress was asking for it

It might have escaped your attention,

But I don’t wake up in the mornings,

And put on a skirt thinking,

Will this get me raped?

I don’t put on a tank top hoping,

Maybe this one will.

 

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because in school, they teach us that our bodies are offensive.

 

They pull us from classrooms

And hallways

Demanding if we have longer shorts,

Or even a sweater,

Reminding us that the boys are distracted,

That the boys go wild for a peeking shoulder,

Or the sight of a sun burned thigh,

Because their education is more important than ours.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because white men in pressed suits,

Expensive watches hanging from their wrists,

Red faces glinting with arrogance,

Have more say over my body than I do.

 

Because those same men,

Quoting the Bible and fake statistics,

Have never shed blood,

As a twisted sacrifice for being a woman.

 

Because those same men,

Have never walked the streets,

Fearing for their lives,

Clinging to keys between their fingers like a lifeline

With pepper spray in their bags,

Ready for someone to feel entitled to their body.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because when a man says no to us,

It is a fault in OUR character.

It is because we are not

Thin, tan, or perky enough for HIM.

 

Because when WE say no to a man,

Its still a fault in OUR character,

We are the cold, ruthless bitch,

Saying no to the nice guy,

Who offered to buy us a drink,

And Who complimented our hair.

 

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because a UCSB entitled nine-teen year old boy,

Can record a video

Of his plans to shoot down all the

“Blond bimbos who denied him his right,”

And then do so,

Only to have his actions excused by the media,

Claiming he was depressed,

Instead of admitting that male entitlement is dangerous.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because I am done being silenced

And I am done being polite.

I am done sitting by

And watching

As a country hypocritically cries

Equality and justice

But doesn’t have equal pay

Lets men make decisions for a woman’s body

And blames the victim for the actions of a rapist.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because our NO won’t be enough one day.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because I wasn’t asking for it.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because “Boys Will Be Boys,” is still an excuse

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because “Not All Men Are Like That,” is still a defense.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because enough blood has been spilled.

 

#YesAllWomen

 

Because I am sixteen years old, and I am so afraid, when I shouldn’t be.

 

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