Don't tell me how to feel.
If one more person tells me to chill out, stop over-reacting or to quit taking it all so seriously, I swear I will give them the scene they are so desperate to avoid.
Let's start at the beginning.
Boundaries, personal space, safety.
We all have the right to feel comfortable in our own skin. We might all have different comfort zones but we can all agree that they should be respected.
So why the fuck do so many people seem to be utterly impotent when it comes to simple mutual respect?
If you make me feel uncomfortable and I tell you to stop you have no right to be offended. I will not spend my day explaining to you why I don't want to be touched, groped or fondled. I will also not reassure you that you are "not like all the others". I will not caress your fragile ego because you just don't want to admit that you didn't think twice.
No means no. If you can't see that you are what's wrong with this world.
"I don't need to be saved, it would be enough not to be threatened."
Also dear people,
Unless someone stands up and says "I am here and I am asking for it", no one is asking for it.
Not the girl in the pretty dress, not the girl you see flirting on campus, not the boy at the bar, not the dude on the dance floor, not the person who decides to have a drink, not someone who walks alone through a park at night, not the person who celebrates life.
People often tell me that I ask for it, by the photos I am posting.
"Well you show off your body on the internet, you must know that this paints a certain picture."
First of all, it took me almost 30 years to embrace my body, my flaws, myself in a way that I am comfortable. You will not rain on my parade because you maybe don't agree with it.
Secondly, I could put up flyers of my naked ass all over town, that still doesn't give a cab driver the right to reach between my legs.
I could take my clothes off for money and nobody would have the right to grab me while I am grocery shopping for my moms birthday.
There is a difference between being flirtatious with your crush and listening to unwanted advances from a guy you've met once.
There's a difference between your best friend smacking your ass with the words "looking good, you go girl!" or if it's your boss that objectifies you in front of clients.
If anyone ever tells you they don't feel save or comfortable, you don't get to decide for them.
You don't get to tell people how they should feel.
Come on now, tell me how I can't talk about sexism or harassment while taking my clothes off. I dare you.
Kthxbye.
Yours truly,
T.
