They tried to strip us of our power, belittle us, humiliate us. They succeeded for a time, but not anymore. We don’t believe them. We never really did. Love to you!
Thank you for this, Kelly. One thing I've learned is that we can't wait for A-holes and their accomplices (all those men who are silent in the face of these outrages) to get their act together because they never will. Women and their allies have to keep talking and acting up and acting out. It's the only thing I can see that works. Revolutions (the Women's Movement, the waves of feminism, the Civil Rights movement, Idle No More, BLM, the Haitian Revolution, the Cuban revolution, the African liberation movements of the 1960s, etc.) were never ever ignited by those in power. Ever. Again, thank you.
Thanks for speaking up for those of us who have not found the right words to do so. I’m writing a piece of my own experience after marrying then divorcing a man 25 years my senior. It’s hard and I’m working through all the moments of “why did I even accept that?” To not blame myself anymore for all the healing I’ve had to do 🪷🌱
Yes! It’s quite a reversal, Yung, when we begin to grasp we were groomed to carry the shame - perfect targets. Gaslit, conditioned, trained, used - perceived only as objects-receptacles for men’s own shame for the denial of their own humanity - for denying their vulnerability in favor of false power. I’ll stop before writing another essay. Thank you so much for your comment and read.
Yes, the conditioning. It runs too deep but once liberated, we live differently. I’ve been following along for a while and your writing is always so raw and honest. I’m in and out of Substack but you’re definitely a writer who reminds me why I’m reading here. Us women, rewriting the narrative and shifting the energy of this world.
So so true. Men have no accountability whatsoever. They do whatever they want and walk away, usually leaving a trail of blame heaped on the female’s head. None of them protect you. Even in pregnancy, child birth and caring for their children - you’re on your own sweet heart. If you dare complain, you’re labelled as mentally unstable, or whatever their latest label might be.
As a teacher, I quickly learned that I could “manage” the toxic males by pandering to their egos. The management always congratulated me because I didn’t ask for their help. In fact, I was reinforcing their misogyny. That was 40 years ago. It’s a little different now, but it’s still my go-to strategy. It always works.
Powerful essay. Women have been made to carry mens baggage. It is not ours to carry. It never was.
Thank you, Nancy. 🔥
Gisèle Pelicot Silenced Caroline
She is an abuser.
She Stole what Caroline said & did & gave her,and used it to GrandStand Herself.
She can rot.
I will be deleting this your post, as Slop.
Don't support abusers in my space.
They tried to strip us of our power, belittle us, humiliate us. They succeeded for a time, but not anymore. We don’t believe them. We never really did. Love to you!
Nope! We’re D O N E
Thank you for this, Kelly. One thing I've learned is that we can't wait for A-holes and their accomplices (all those men who are silent in the face of these outrages) to get their act together because they never will. Women and their allies have to keep talking and acting up and acting out. It's the only thing I can see that works. Revolutions (the Women's Movement, the waves of feminism, the Civil Rights movement, Idle No More, BLM, the Haitian Revolution, the Cuban revolution, the African liberation movements of the 1960s, etc.) were never ever ignited by those in power. Ever. Again, thank you.
This is a men’s problem.
I wish I could like this a hundred times over. "Shame must change sides."
🙌🏼thank you, Elise.
Thank you. Again, and again.
Mwah. 💗
Thank you for being so bold, alive, taking up the space you deserve.
👊💋likewise! My Aussie twin.
Thanks for speaking up for those of us who have not found the right words to do so. I’m writing a piece of my own experience after marrying then divorcing a man 25 years my senior. It’s hard and I’m working through all the moments of “why did I even accept that?” To not blame myself anymore for all the healing I’ve had to do 🪷🌱
Yes! It’s quite a reversal, Yung, when we begin to grasp we were groomed to carry the shame - perfect targets. Gaslit, conditioned, trained, used - perceived only as objects-receptacles for men’s own shame for the denial of their own humanity - for denying their vulnerability in favor of false power. I’ll stop before writing another essay. Thank you so much for your comment and read.
Yes, the conditioning. It runs too deep but once liberated, we live differently. I’ve been following along for a while and your writing is always so raw and honest. I’m in and out of Substack but you’re definitely a writer who reminds me why I’m reading here. Us women, rewriting the narrative and shifting the energy of this world.
🌻💛🌻thank you, Yung. I’m honored.
Hi dear, strong powerful, beautiful Kelly, it was never you. It was never me.
His own shame
Thank you, dear sister
Love you, sister. ❤️🔥
So so true. Men have no accountability whatsoever. They do whatever they want and walk away, usually leaving a trail of blame heaped on the female’s head. None of them protect you. Even in pregnancy, child birth and caring for their children - you’re on your own sweet heart. If you dare complain, you’re labelled as mentally unstable, or whatever their latest label might be.
As a teacher, I quickly learned that I could “manage” the toxic males by pandering to their egos. The management always congratulated me because I didn’t ask for their help. In fact, I was reinforcing their misogyny. That was 40 years ago. It’s a little different now, but it’s still my go-to strategy. It always works.
Sad facts.