The recent conversations about sexual harassment and assault have been powerful and triggering for so many. Whether you felt called to share, stated your resistance to asking women to out their trauma, or were a perpetrator who acknowledged harm you have caused, you were part of this. This cracking open, this bringing into the light, this raw truth.
Each truth spoken is valuable. As are the experiences of those who chose to remain silent. The more open we are to difficult conversations, the more we shed light on places that have held darkness, the more we teach our children how to treat themselves and one another.
It is heartbreaking to acknowledge how common the experience of sexual harassment and assault are. We must ask ourselves, what power and privilege do we accept as our birthright? Where are the places we can stand strong and use our privilege to protect others? Where can we create bridges and healing to stop these patterns of abuse? And where can we call ourselves up?