#dontsilenceme

[elysedc]

I’ve been sitting on these photos for a while, not sure what I wanted to say…and I landed on this: listen to women. When a woman tells you she has experienced sexual harassment, or assault, believe her. Trust me, she’s not talking about it because she wants to. I have my own #MeToo experiences, and talking about them sucks. So I won’t. Because honestly, the names and the details are irrelevant - but if you are a person who has been on the receiving end of sexual misconduct, now you know that I’m with you, and I 💛 you and I’m holding your ✋ in solidarity. And if you haven’t experienced this, now you know someone who has. (Sadly, you probably already did, even unknowingly). Maybe I’m someone that you like, or 💛, or care about in any way, and hopefully that will be enough to convince you. I know that I’m sort of preaching to the choir here, but this country as a whole has shown me, time and time again, that it does not care about women, and it does not believe women. So this is me, begging you, to please, please, believe women. #ImWithHer I chose this word and this poem for a reason. I refuse to let fear silence me. I refuse to feel like a failure. And yes the last photo is me doing my best “I’D LIKE TO 👀 YOU TRY” face and I really think I’m pulling it off. ✌🏼 thanks a million to the brilliant @katie_nolan_photography for capturing these photos and to @mhairimorrisoncomedy and everyone at @dont_silence_me for being so wonderful to work with. I’m honored to even be a little part of this project. (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZCZcTF7VN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w41mtjhkj1qo

[vidaloca-healthblog]

Communication is different for everyone. Perceived yelling for you may be simply passionate conversation for someone else. Allow each other to speak in their own voice. Telling a person to calm down, speak lower or not say “that” is actually a form of controlling the conversation. Listening comes with patience. And love. We all deserve an open space to talk with a trusted person. Cutting someone off bc you don’t like what they have to say breaks down trust. Soon enough, your request for that person to stop talking will result in them cutting you out completely.#dontsilenceme #iHaveAVoice #selflove #warriorwoman #vidalocahealthfitness #standupformyself #myvoicecounts https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Ka59SANFM/?igshid=u5hfbybhm0mf

[zardust4567]

I'm really angry that I have to be kept silent and literally be restrained from my step father and my biological father from talking to the one person that has ruined a big portion of my life. I understand that they want to protect me and I respect that. But the fact that HE can go to places that I hang out at and treat me like shit when I haven't done anything to HIM is unacceptable. I shoudnt be the one hiding and not getting anything done and having these feelings manifest and not get better. Im literally going crazy. I have a right to stand up and speak my mind and the fact that I'm not allowed to do so sucks. I don't want to be silent. I want HIM to finally hear ME speak and defend myself and call it quits instead of someone doing it for me. I'm done being pushed around and having to BE the one to back down. It's unfair. I may be whining but this is ludacris. I hope I find a way to end this peacefully and equally on both sides.

[forsakensadness]

Everyone has a story... Unfortunately, my story is a bit longer and heartbreaking....