Progress
Progress How far we have come? I often think what our predecessors would think of where we are now The Afeni Shakurs, Zora Neale Hurstons, Toni Morrisons, Suffragettes, Angela Davies, Nina Simones, Maya Angelous, Una Marsons, Audre Lordes, Olive Morris, Claudia Jones, Rosa Parks, The women who bled and screamed and shed and died for our right to live to vote to write to quote ourselves in our creations to rise beyond the stations prescribed to us by those who refused to see our shine The women who paved the way for choice. Who stood in a room full of hostility, with a womb full of strength and denounced this fuckery for what it was. The women who fought for representation Who coined the phrase intersectionality Who realised my skin doesn't always make us kin The women whose life is shaped in crossroads of complexity Who refuse to be complicit in a diluted feminist ecstasy. The women who knew can only be united on both of out terms who learnt the hard way the the same fire gives different burns. Those women who made me raised and framed me to be able to stand in a room such as this and revel in just being. Who removed the stigma and shame and taboos associated with blood and pleasure. Who allowed me to roar, to slay at my leisure. Who made hitting and running like a girl something I think everyone should aspire to. What would or do they think about what women and girls face on a day to day basis? 11 women raped an hour in the United Kingdom alone. Of which of these 1 in 10 reported of these 1 in 10 convicted. I don't think it's quite the picture our foresisters predicted. 2 women a week killed by a current or ex partner. Their names and faces more than just numbers. They laughed and and they felt and they loved and they lived. They were stolen from us. They had so much to give. In the UK we have a rape clause hand in hand with rape culture.Tomcats stalking women and catcalling like vultures. "Hey baby. What can that mouth do?" Tell you to fuck off mate. You know sometimes I feel so strong like tonight surrounded by you all Fearless even in our feminist cluster but sometimes I'm so tired so terribly tired and a smile for safety and pretending i dont hear is all I can muster. And I know that a western woman has life much different from our sisters across the sea But we can care about them and care about us simultaneously. In the US the previous existing conditions for the affordable care Act would be much quicker and efficient if they just put "being a woman". With pro lifers and health care shirkers and pussy grabbing fiends. The American dream is clutching at the pearls and ripping seams. We are pro life only for the unborn. Depression, rape victims, domestic violence. Survivors are women living, life givers and havers too I could have sworn. When women in Nepal are banished to huts as they bleed. When you are tied to a man is how you succeed. When we can't drive alone, or walk alone. When we're told to wear more, or just stay at home. When underwear and nail varnish are now in the new flavour of anti rape device. When we're told the male entitlement is "only guys being nice" When the 80% of rapes and assaults are committed not in the shady back alley lights. By strangers but by those known or held dear. We scream and shout this so why won't they hear? When rape is used as a tool. When violence is gendered. Is this the bright future my idols recommended? We've made strides Leaps Fucking light years forward I don't want us to forget that But I will not settle for this measure of progress I will not be content with our bodies for let. I will be forever thankful to those that dreamed before. But I'm sure they would agree that it's still our time to claim the floor. Progress? How far have we come? Such a beautiful way but there's so much more to be won.