As a person born into privilege, I've never had to worry about going homeless,

going hungry,

being forced into prostitution,

or being ignored due to my race or religion.

I have faced many difficulties in life, as does everyone else, but I would be ignorant to think that I had it worse than anyone else.

I have seen discrimination, sexual harassment, victim-blaming, body-shaming.

I have seen guys high fiving each other after belittling a girl for her drunken mistake.

I have seen teenage girls harass other girls.

I have heard girls throw up their lunch in the bathroom, and criticize their bony body for not being skinny enough.

I have seen it, but what have I done to prevent, to help?

That is the question that keeps me up at night.

 If I had just said something, did something, but I didn't.

Why?

Helen Keller said, "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."

I could see the injustice happening, but I had no vision, no willpower to step up.

 I thought, "It wasn't my business," until I was the victim.

And at that moment I realized that to see the ugly truth was not enough,

to hurt for them was not enough.

I had to muster all of my confidence and turn my sight into a vision.

A vision that to see something induces a reaction to do something.

 I find it is my responsibility as a woman,

an American,

and a human being to not only see cruelty

but to fight it.