#rapeculture & #covid19 Parallels of Global Pandemics
The first global pandemic in my lifetime was #rapeculture. It was our first #weareinthistogether moment. While women spoke up loud and clear, every age, gender, color, culture, social class, religious and political side joined the chorus of the #metoo and #timesup movement. Many of us spoke up for the first time in our lives. We declared that a cultural shift was long overdue and pandemonium followed. He said, she said, they said interrupted long time predators and freed thousands of victims from abuse. Many lives have been deeply impacted by the movement. Some people charged with crimes lost jobs, families, and a few are in prison. Victims became survivors and for some of us justice prevailed. It is a revolution we are still navigating.
Sexual crimes have been at pandemic proportions for more than a generation. Silence created severe injury to each survivor and allowed the prolific spread of these crimes. This disease of humanity has taken lives in the form of mental health challenges, addictions, and suicide. It’s been the silent virus infecting our homes, family systems, relationships, work environment, systems, and our ability to thrive as humans. I believe the remedy for #metoo crimes is honesty, courage, and responsibility.
The #covid19 pandemic is a new-to-human virus that is a different threat and strikingly similar in impact. Physical distancing, job loss, financial hardship, and threat from an invisible force have impacted our sense of well-being around the world. The remedy for #COVID19 is honesty, courage, and responsibility.
#rapeculture and #covid19 challenge our ability to be:
- honest about how we each define our truth
- courageous in speaking our truth
- responsible for ourselves and how we impact those around us
Our boundaries matter. If we didn’t get the consent culture message that #metoo amplified, #covid19 is here to remind us we need to figure these things out, NOW.
What is my comfort level with physical proximity, touch, mask wearing, shopping, working, living? How do I tell you about my comfort level? How do I ask you to respect my choices? How do I learn to respect your decisions? When do I tell you, before you arrive, or once you breach my boundaries? How can we empower each other, and especially our children, to speak up for their well-being and boundaries?
With so much fear in our midst, I hope my clear and calm voice will cut through and deliver my truth regarding #rapeculture and #covid19. I believe we are all interconnected and cannot do this alone or without thinking about those we love, and the neighbors that we don’t love. I believe that wearing a mask deserves respect from those around me, just as I will respect those in my midst that don’t wear a mask. I understand that your choice is what brings you peace during a time of stress and anxiety. I will keep my distance if you don’t have a mask, not because I don’t like you, but because physical distance is what brings me peace.
I choose to believe we are all doing our best, I choose to respect every human, and I choose to be incredibly kind to myself and everyone I meet as we continue to shape our new normal with each pandemic. I will not shame you or judge you because I want us to all be empowered with our truth. My choices bring me inner peace, which tells me I am honoring my truth. I’ve been practicing speaking my truth for many years now, and it’s gotten easier to be pro-active and clear about my choices. I have much less anxiety when I know and communicate my boundaries, which brings me back to peace.
What can you more clearly define for yourself so you are prepared to speak your truth?
Be pro-active, communicate clearly, and experience peace.
Angela, this is a comparison that I had not thought of but is so spot on. Your writing is full of love and peace and so much compassion. If I didn’t know you, I’d want to know you! I love you.