If you ever wonder why women (and anyone in a marginalized and/or racialized body) is fearful of speaking up, being their true selves, being noticed...Here's a visual for you.
This is a scold's bridle. It was used as punishment. Women were to wear it on the street as passerbys watched. The bridles were often made of iron, encased their head and face, and depressed the tongue, sometimes with a spike. Sometimes there was a leash attached to lead the woman down the road and further humiliate her.
We carry these stories in our bodies, and they still have an impact now.
What do you feel when you see these images, and read about this act of abuse?















