When Misogyny is the Order of the Day

It was a tough day.  More than tough for some.  I admit, I was a late follower to the story of the judge in the U.S., who wants a spot on the supreme court, and is facing allegations of sexual assault from a woman he went to high school with.  But the more I hear and read, the worse it gets.  Today, my Facebook feed is full of laments for how women are labelled liars, while self-righteous know-it-alls spout off about how men's lives are destroyed.

And it all came to a head tonight at dinner.  My teenager defended a video game that I feel promotes violence and I couldn't stop shaking and trying to make him understand that it's just another thing to add to our culture of men seeking power and control through violent means.  And I triggered hard as he argued with me, because I so desperately want my sons to understand it.  I want them to understand that we must be counter-cultural.  We must stand against any form of violence because it all leads to the same place.  I was not coherent.  I could not make myself understood, which made me more frustrated and brought on hot, exasperated tears.

Later, I hugged my son.  He's not a hugger, but I needed him to hug me and he did.  And I told him I was sorry for yelling at him.  I'm not mad at him.  I'm mad at a world that calls women liars when they speak up.  I'm mad at a world where men rage when they must make an account of their behaviour.  I'm mad that women will not always stand up for women.  I'm mad that being a decent human being is not the norm, and that we teach toddlers to keep their hands to themselves and control their bodies, but teenagers get a free pass.  I'm mad that women and men I know and love have been assaulted and molested and live with that pain every day of their lives.  I'm mad that teenage girls can be groomed by adult men and eventually think they're in love and marry them.

Today is too much.  It's too much for me, and it's WAY too much for the women who are the warriors brave enough to speak out.  It is time!  It is time for speaking out.  It is time for all the good and decent and honourable people of the world, to stand up and say, "I believe you!"  I believe you.  I believe you.  Speak!  Tell your truth.  Speak, even when the opposition is raging.  Speak.  I believe you.  I will stand with you.

I believe you.