I asked friends to contemplate and share with me what it would be like in their mind’s eye to live in a society that was free of sexual violence. I’m ready to start visualizing it. But before that, there’s a moment.
A gentleman who lost a loved one to rape and rape culture wrote: “I can’t think of “what” but I can think of “who.” Who would I be hearing and seeing? If only.”
Who would we be seeing, who would still be in our lives, who would be alongside us, if not for rape and rape culture?
We’d be hearing the voices, the languages of countless more indigenous women.
We’d be seeing mothers and grandmothers living well into old age, with us as our mainstays, instead of dying early from sexist racist violence and the stress of it.
Instead of losing the most wonderful precious potential, the jet fuel of this planet, the life giving water, the heart of humanity, so many more young women would be with us living and growing, leading the people, loving their friends and families, loving the animals, greenery and all life on this planet.
We’d have many more precious eyes to look into and share vision, inspiration, humor, joy.
Before visualizing a world of freedom, please bring to mind who we are missing, who we are caring about, who we are doing it for as activists. And know they are with us: their wishes, their caring hearts, their brilliance never died.
We can dedicate and rededicate ourselves to the goodness and potential of our lost ones, the ones suffering now, and the beloved and free people to come. No one has to tell you this. We can feel the energy, strength and heart when our ancestors, our lost loved ones, all humanity and all of life are held close and honored. That is our lifeblood, our power, our “chi”, our miracle-maker.
So before resting our minds on a joyous visualization of what life can be, free of rape and violence, let’s pause and throw our drop of courage into the big ocean: Mom, sister, daughter, lover, friend: this is for you, this vision is for you, my life is yours, forever.
Photo: www.forestwander.com/2013/07/fallsville-ohio-waterfalls/