As a woman, I have walked in fear for a great length of my life.
I was arrested once for prostitution, when solicited by an under cover police officer.
I thought he was kidding, he wasn’t. I ended up in jail.
How many times, I feared for my life and safety as a woman, the numbers are countless. At 15, my body betrayed me and took me into the world of catcalls, harassment and leering long looks from strangers.
Walks home from school were tempered with car honks, “Hey Baby” and propositions.
Uncles were not to be trusted; interviews in hotel rooms were rejected.
As a young singer, gigs were given to me based on physical appeal, rather than talent.
Thank God that my mother talked to me about the “casting couch.” Thank God for following in the steps of her wisdom.
I have lost jobs, gotten jobs, been harassed, been fast and blessed enough to escape abuse.
Why write this?
Because none of us ~ not one gets out of this life without being dismissed, disregarded and disrespected.
Age, Sex, Color, Weight, Religion ~ we all take our blows, bend and rebound to the best of our ability.
As we turn our attention to the news of the day, my 2 cents is simply that.
I don’t subscribe to the old adage “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” because some people suffer injury and never recover. But I believe you have been strong from the start, you have survived, and you have prevailed. Good for you!