How do we "make people see"? And what are we showing them? What are our expectations? What do we want?
Exposing the widespread sexual abuse of children in the Catholic church did not stop men in power from abusing children but it was hugely significant in helping people believe something like that could happen. Exposing sexual abuse in H…
How do we "make people see"? And what are we showing them? What are our expectations? What do we want?
Exposing the widespread sexual abuse of children in the Catholic church did not stop men in power from abusing children but it was hugely significant in helping people believe something like that could happen. Exposing sexual abuse in Hollywood, the dangers of tobacco, government corruption, none of these things have ended but have planted seeds of doubt in people's minds, doubt that the powerful always have the less powerful's best interests at heart.
It helps me to think about issues like this as analogous to familial abuse--often, abuse has been happening for years when someone decides to break their silence. There's been signs, some of them blatant, that something is wrong and yet, no one has come forward. Perhaps attempts have even been made to stop it or leave the abuser and yet, there are complex mechanisms holding everything and everyone in place. In families in which abuse is taking place, those who speak up about abuse risk complete rejection from the family. So it goes in our societal family--complex mechanisms keep abuse and oppression going for centuries and while many may recognize its wrongness, most say and do nothing and those that do risk complete ostracization from society. So what do we do?
For me, I know I will not end the abuse and oppression of women and children in my life but I know it matters deeply to me so I work slowly and methodically to help the powerless to heal, to stop giving their time and energy and resources to the powerful, to keep their energy for themselves and give it only to those who respect and value them. I try to do the same, only give my time and resources to those who are working for change, even if it's their own personal healing. I think it's important we each find sustainable ways to fight abuse and oppression. If you're able to find a way that feels meaningful to you, it's somewhat self-sustaining but we still need support to go on. Do what you can, when you can and form connections. One of the most powerful tools we have is our connection with ourselves and each other.
How do we "make people see"? And what are we showing them? What are our expectations? What do we want?
Exposing the widespread sexual abuse of children in the Catholic church did not stop men in power from abusing children but it was hugely significant in helping people believe something like that could happen. Exposing sexual abuse in Hollywood, the dangers of tobacco, government corruption, none of these things have ended but have planted seeds of doubt in people's minds, doubt that the powerful always have the less powerful's best interests at heart.
It helps me to think about issues like this as analogous to familial abuse--often, abuse has been happening for years when someone decides to break their silence. There's been signs, some of them blatant, that something is wrong and yet, no one has come forward. Perhaps attempts have even been made to stop it or leave the abuser and yet, there are complex mechanisms holding everything and everyone in place. In families in which abuse is taking place, those who speak up about abuse risk complete rejection from the family. So it goes in our societal family--complex mechanisms keep abuse and oppression going for centuries and while many may recognize its wrongness, most say and do nothing and those that do risk complete ostracization from society. So what do we do?
For me, I know I will not end the abuse and oppression of women and children in my life but I know it matters deeply to me so I work slowly and methodically to help the powerless to heal, to stop giving their time and energy and resources to the powerful, to keep their energy for themselves and give it only to those who respect and value them. I try to do the same, only give my time and resources to those who are working for change, even if it's their own personal healing. I think it's important we each find sustainable ways to fight abuse and oppression. If you're able to find a way that feels meaningful to you, it's somewhat self-sustaining but we still need support to go on. Do what you can, when you can and form connections. One of the most powerful tools we have is our connection with ourselves and each other.