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I would like to focus for a moment on the sexual abuse of girls and women. I happen to be one, and I know there are many men out there who have suffered, but today I would like to focus on women, in hopes that men will hear me still.
I don’t want to focus on what has happened to me. I want to focus on what life would be like if women were NOT raised in a way that they were afraid to speak up. Not having to worry about being sexually abused, raped … in a world where they could dress any way they choose, without people saying “she asked for it.”
In this world, our culture would be much healthier. There would be wonderful relationships amongst women, and wonderful relationships between men and women. Once you take away the objectification we women experience, you have the time and space to listen to us, to appreciate us, to respect us, and to hire us. Not because we are gorgeous and sexy, but because we are smart and know how to get the job done. As I am writing this, I’m saying to myself, “freedom.”
It would be freeing for ALL of us to live this kind of life.
The sexual abuse has been a “bitch” to deal with. Imagine having men believe us, support us, stand by us if something despicable has happened to us. Also, hearing other women respect one another for their mind, wisdom, kindness, instead of for their bodies and what they are wearing, and then questioning whether they are wearing the appropriate dress. Imagine a world where women can walk down the street and not have to cross to the other side — away from the construction workers and their raunchy remarks. Imagine being appreciated by them in a sweet way, instead of the disgusting remarks they make as we walk by.
There would be more women in politics because it would be safer. Women would be respected and their minds would be respected. No, it doesn’t hurt you if you are pretty and have a nice body, at least that’s what people feel. Yes, it does hurt if, first of all, the woman/girl herself doesn’t respect herself and figures she only has her looks going for her. But if she’s got the self-esteem to go along with it, can you imagine how high she could fly?
I’m imagining not only young girls and women being appreciated but the same for older women. Young women could turn to women of more experience about advice, how to live their life, how to take care of themselves. Older women would be appreciated
and not ignored. There would definitely be fewer plastic surgeries in this country. Can you imagine women being accepted for who they are and not what they look like?
There would be no such thing as retiring at age 65. We would be so happy to be doing what we are doing, we wouldn’t even give the thought of retiring a second thought. It would be an option but not a necessity. We would be making as much money as men for equal work.
There are many people out there that still feel men are smarter than women, and again, can you just imagine if that old wive’s tale was gone and how women and men could get along. We would be able to build each other up and not tear each other down.
It makes me so happy just to write all of the above. I don’t want to be stopped by the antiquated limitations put on all of us.
We can change! We can make the world a better place to live in! By changing one’s attitudes towards young girls and women we can truly make all of our lives better.
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Sherri, I hear you. That’s the kind of world I would want for you, for my wife, my daughter, and my granddaughters, and all women. Thank you for visioning a world that is good for all.
Thank you Jed Diamond. Appreciate your positive feedback. Sherri Rosen