the lasting effects of 'it's just boys being boys.'

a month ago i took the time to write about my thoughts on the true spirit of democracy. although my thoughts have not changed and i still hate political scheming and political posturing... the events of the past week have left me raw.

i wish that the conversations being had about sexual harassment and sexual assault were mainstream when i was growing up. i wish that i had felt as though i could speak out when the worst happened to me. i wish that my being silenced and ridiculed for saying something would have led to positive change instead of fear. 

and i believe we are at a point in history where women (and all people) are now offered the ability to speak out. are provided the space. the support. the belief in them. 

but the comments throughout this past week terrify me because they shake that core. they make me doubt that others will feel safe stepping up and saying a behavior, an action, a string of words, is wrong. they make me doubt that the amazing strides that have been made will be lasting.

those doubts tear at me. 

for the 8th grader who cried almost everyday because of the actions of a few boys who thought it was funny to grab at nonexistent breasts and endlessly harass her both verbally and physically. for that girl who told her teacher (in tears) how much it hurt her. and for that girl who had the teacher tell her, 'it's just boys being boys, grow up.' 

for that girl that was silenced for so many years because of that statement. for that girl who thought that it was her duty to stay silent from that point on and just accept it (no matter how many times it happened and by how many different individuals throughout the years). for that girl who internalized those comments and came to see herself as less... for that girl... for me... i cannot stand the thought of others being silenced. of others feeling like they cannot come forward and be believed. 

and for all who have thought they were less because of the actions or words of another, for all of those who were silenced, for all of those who were told it was 'just boys being boys'... the comments of this presidential race should infuriate you. 

we are all worth it. we should not (and will not) be silenced.