Bobby The Aazami

I m a g e r y + R a m b l i n g s

[bobbytheaazami]

Dylan Farrow deserves her #MeToo and yet, as vocal as Hollywood has been against Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Bill Cosby…they have been very lenient and accepting when it comes to Woody Allen. Some of the same A-list actors who have spoken out candidly against Weinstein as well as the industry of Hollywood executives and elites that have been responsible for casting him, and others like him, out from their circle...have been more than forgiving when it comes to Woody Allen. “I didn’t know Woody and I don’t know anything about that family. As the actor in the film, you just have to step away and say, I don’t know anything, really, and whether any of it is true or false. Having thought it all through, you put it to one side and just work with the person. Woody Allen is an incredible director." -Kate Winslet I'm not sure why as a society we have chosen to be outraged at some and accepting of another, who, essentially has done the same thing. Maybe it’s because the number of people Woody Allen assaulted and victimised is nowhere near 60, like Cosby. Perhaps it's also because Woody Allen never made death threats and has never hired a private agency of former secret service agents, like Weinstein, to manipulate and harass the endless number of voices that are now rising to the surface. At the end of the day, if it’s just one person making nothing more than just a claim, surely it can't be real...even if that person has been vocal and standing by their claim, unabashed, for more than 2 decades. For a number so ridiculously low, the same industry that has gone the distance to treat the previously mentioned offenders as lepers and social pariahs…continues to offer Allen a pass. It's likely we’re not as put off by Woody Allen because we don’t quite know the facts of the case. And if we think we do, Allen and his team of lawyers have done a phenomenal and cunning job creating smoke and mirrors, which has not only divided a family he was once part of...but also the greater public to cast doubt on his step daughter’s claims of being sexually assaulted as a child. If the purpose of the #MeToo revolution is for us to find ways of supporting the voices of those who were victimised, then why have Dylan Farrow's claims been dismissed by us? If you're not familiar with her story, I ask you to click the image below, read the article and make a choice about Woody Allen…because Dylan Farrow also deserves her #MeToo. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-farrow-woody-allen-me-too-20171207-story.html #WillNotRest #SpeakingUpForKids #ChildSexualAbuse #RapeCulture #DylanFarrow #WoodyAllen

[bobbytheaazami]

I was humbled beyond words to see all the faces that came along to support the Will Not Rest event last Sunday night. Words cannot even begin to show my gratitude to those of you who made donations to our event so we could cover our costs, to those amazing faces who attended and to all the faces who were not able to attend but supported us through positive thoughts and prayers. I also want to thank Erfan Daliri, Isaac Green, Sandra Treydte, ALPHAMAMA + Sian Cross for contributing so much of themselves from their art and personal stories.

To all of you who were present…thank you for being brave to put yourself in an environment that might have been confronting. It was because of you that safety and love was created in that room…and that safety and love you carried within your hearts back home with you.

I'm so grateful to those that wore their hearts outside of their skin, who stood tall as they walked into a room where heartache hid within the crevices.

It was an eclectic night of emotions. Stories were shared, hearts were open, tears were shed, melodies transcended and laughter burst from our bellies as we collectively united to change the way we talk about child sexual abuse and how we can navigate through the rest of our lives creating a world without sexual violence.

We all posses the ability to change the world, with small steps and big hearts. Change comes in numbers but it is the tiniest of splashes that can surge into the biggest wave. Within that room, there were Hero's – Hero’s who stood up and shared a slice of their story and Hero's that were present, who sat, listened, and loved with full hearts. Thank you for taking those stories home with you, binding the words and sentiments within your own bones and building a fortress of protection for your very own family and friends.

Above all, thank you for being the voice and ears this world needs right now.

www.BobbyAazami.com

#WillNotRest #TheSixMillionDollarKid #MeToo

[bobbytheaazami]

Can Theatre combat sexual violence?

Big love to the crew over at 2ser FM - Real Radio (107.3 FM) for inviting Erfan Daliri + myself on air this morning to further the public discussion on child sexual assault and rape culture.

The only way we can truly remove the shame and stigma associated with sexual violence is to have open and honest conversations on the subject matter. Regardless of our efforts, we cannot create a safer existence for our sons and daughters if we do not engage in the conversations we consider taboo or upsetting.

Click the link below to hear our short interview about the free show we'll be hosting this Sunday December 10th, 2017 at Brick City Studios in Marrickville (5pm to 9pm).

The Six Million Dollar Men: Overcoming Trauma Through Theatre:

http://2ser.com/six-million-dollar-men-overcoming-trauma-theatre/

[bobbytheaazami]

It takes an incredibly courageous soul to repeatedly speak their truth, until they are finally heard.

We stand with ALL the brave women and men in Hollywood as more and more survivors continue to speak out against an industry that has silenced and institutionalised the sexual assault of children, women and men.

#WillNotRest #MeToo #SpeakingUpForKids  #SexualAssault #SexualHarassment #ChildSexualAbuse

[bobbytheaazami]

Some profound words of #empowerment from Gabrielle Union on how we can each make a difference in the plight to stop child sexual abuse and sexual assault. Each and every one of us has the ability and the power to bring about change in our own way. That ability and power is called Voice. When you see anything that you consider to be inappropriate behaviour, use your voice. It will be your greatest and most valued strength.

https://www.facebook.com/thedailyshow/videos/10155961606181800/

[bobbytheaazami]

MYTH: Children who are sexually abused go on to abuse others.

FACT: It is NOT true that most children who are sexually abused go on to sexually abuse others.

While it is true that many (but not all) who sexually abuse children have histories of sexual abuse, this myth is especially dangerous because it creates a lasting despair in victims that they may not only fear becoming abusers themselves, but that others will find out they were abused and believe they’re a danger to children.

The majority of children do not go on to become sexually abusive as adolescents or adults. Even those who do perpetrate as teenagers, if they get help when they’re young, usually don’t abuse children when they become adults.

Educating young children about consent and body autonomy at an early age can also have lasting rewards in their personal lives and in society.

#WillNotRest #ChildSexualAbuse #SpeakingUpForKids #RapeCulture #MythVsFact

[bobbytheaazami]

If your daughter is 11 or older, chances are, she’s also saying #MeToo. Let her know it's never her fault.

#WillNotRest #SpeakingUpForKids #SexualAssault #GirlScouts

[bobbytheaazami]

Sometimes, the best way to explain sexual assault to a person who doesn't get it...is in the crudest way possible. #WillNotRest #RapeCulture #SexualAssault #MeToo

[bobbytheaazami]

Myth vs. Fact

#WillNotRest #SpeakingUpForKids #ChildSexualAbuse #MythvsFact

[bobbytheaazami]

“Nothing in Playboy is Accidental”…Not even the Child Abuse fantasies?

I thought I’d heard all of it. But I’d never heard about the children…

We have to ask ourselves, what's the point of having adult women dress up to look like children or wear revealing school girl uniforms other than to subtly condition a person's mind towards the sexual abuse and rape of children. The only reason Playboy has been able to get away with it for as long as they have is because their references to child rape have been subtle and made during an era where there was very little activism and attention devoted towards the matter. But however subtle, the impact is nonetheless severe where generations of men and women have been desensitised to this idea. The outcome of this behaviour is evident and in display throughout a society were social attitudes normalise and dismiss the sexual abuse and assault of women, men and children.

This is the classic definition of Rape Culture.

[bobbytheaazami]

Yesterday marked the two-year anniversary of Will Not Rest. What a journey it has been. This community of survivors and like minded allies would not have been born had it not been for the overwhelming desire we each have to create a safer and better world for each other and for the generations that inherit what we leave behind.

I am truly humbled by the support, love and wealth of knowledge that people have been sharing on our community page as we each contribute to make this world we call home, a better place.

To mark this milestone, I would love to hear about how Will Not Rest might have changed your perspective on the world around you for the better. You can send us a message here.

Sending much love out to each and every one of you.

#WillNotRest #SpeakingUpForKids #ChildSexualAssault #RapeCulture

[bobbytheaazami]

Myth vs. Fact

#WillNotRest #ChildSexualAbuseMyth #SpeakingUpForKids

[bobbytheaazami]

We are a generation that is the product of generations before. We have inherited their silence, their ability to look the other way.

We are also a generation that has the opportunity to stand on the right side of history. To be better and build on the limitations of those who came before us. But we cannot solve the problems that face us unless we take great strides to talk about them. And we cannot talk about them wisely, unless we are informed. So, if statistics tell us that one in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday, how can any of us pretend this doesn’t affect us?

Let me put it this way…can you think of 4 little girls or 6 little boys that you know? Can you see them? Who comes to mind?

Have you empowered any of them with the tools necessary to be autonomous with their own bodies and give them the self-confidence to stand up for themselves when necessary? If they were ever in need of disclosing sexual trauma of any kind, are you the person they would feel safe enough to come to without feeling disbelieved, shamed, judged or rejected?

Take a look at your own family: Your parents, your grandparents, your aunties, uncles, your cousins, your nephews and nieces…even your adult friends. There’s always someone you know and love who’s been affected by this epidemic; who has had to silently carry the weight of this albatross alone their whole life...which has been the plague manifesting itself in their existence through unkind ways. Have you ever thought of what this burden is like for them? Can you see yourself having a conversation with them to let them know that you see them? That you are an ally and a protector who holds for them a safe space?

It’s not solely the sexual abuse of children that eventually leads them down a path of self-destruction and self-harm. It’s the silence that surrounds this subject matter. It’s the disbelief that lingers. It’s the conversations that get shut down.

That…is the epidemic.

#WillNotRest #SpeakingUpForKids #ChildSexualAbuse #RapeCulture

[bobbytheaazami]

To all the fathers out there who take an active role shaping and reinforcing the future of your children, we salute you!

Happy Father's Day, Australia!

[bobbytheaazami]

A little reminder...

#WillNotRest #ToxicFamilies #SpeakingUpForKids

[bobbytheaazami]

(Bobby Aazami)

I was excited to have my first live morning radio interview last Friday. I had a great time chatting with Power100's Vinnie Aston about debuting The Six Million Dollar Kid at the Townsville Cultural Fest and am grateful for his kind invitation to have me on his show.

For all the Purple Heads out there…take note of the song playing at the start of the interview. Coincidence? I think not! :-)

[bobbytheaazami]

The start of a 10 day intensive workshop of The Six Million Dollar Kid in preparation for our upcoming debut performance at Townsville Cultural Fest.