A Woman’s Perspective
“Look at this adorable little girl. I can’t wait to see what she becomes when she grows up.”
She was only 10.
“Will she still be this cute when she’s older?”
She was merely 8.
The boy behind her unhooked her training bra without a second thought. The teacher was aware but took no action.
She was just 12.
Every girl transitions into womanhood, and each woman once experienced the sting of being objectified, treated as if they were merely possessions, sexualized before they even understood the concept. Every woman is conditioned to be aware of her environment, choose outfits that prioritize her safety, and navigate interactions with men who feel entitled to invade their personal space and autonomy.
I am a woman. A living, thinking, empowered individual who has often been made to feel powerless by men who seek to assert dominance over me. I feel disappointment and rage.
As an artist, I recognized in August 2017 that simply harboring my anger would not bring about change. However, by channeling my creativity and vision, I could spark a conversation that might lead to greater awareness and action.
This film is composed of a series of vignettes, recreating actual experiences of harassment and assault that I or women close to me have endured. While it can never capture every instance, I hope it serves as a starting point.
We are women. We are mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, friends, partners, and creators.
We are human beings with full ownership of our bodies.
Change is overdue, and it begins with educating the men in our lives as we strive to protect, empower, and amplify the voices of women everywhere.
A Man’s Perspective
In 1999, I experienced a life-altering car accident.
Someone ran a stop sign, totaling my classic ’72 convertible. The police arrived, ensuring everyone was safe, documenting details, and checking licenses. That’s when I found out my license was suspended due to an unpaid fine.
As a first-time misdemeanor, the officers could have issued a $75 fine along with a court summons, but my reality was a five-day sentence at Rikers Island.
Rikers consists of ten different jails, with barred cells reserved for the most violent offenders, while most of the facility is dormitory-style, crowded with countless cots in a stifling environment.
On my first night, shortly after lights out, I heard the unmistakable sounds of sexual activity. In that moment, terror struck me:
This was not consensual.
New inmates are often targets.
If I were assaulted, I could defend myself, but…
Any fight would only extend my stay.
Given these circumstances, I realized I had no way to protect myself from potential assault during my time there, all while trying not to project fear—an emotion that predators can easily sense.
MEN: This is what it means to be a woman, constantly grappling with fear.
To live with the anxiety of potential violence from strangers.
To know that resisting could worsen the situation.
To wonder if people you trust harbor violent tendencies.
To endure online threats of rape and death for simply speaking out.
Men, you will never fully comprehend the daily reality of this fear. The only question left is: WHAT WILL YOU DO TO HELP PUT AN END TO IT?
Begin by watching this short film. Empathy can—and must—transform the world.
This article was originally published on February 4, 2018.
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In summary, this article sheds light on the complex and often painful experiences women endure in a world that frequently objectifies them, while also incorporating a male perspective on understanding these challenges. It emphasizes the urgency for change and the need for men to engage in the conversation around female safety and empowerment.
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