There's a Difference Between Knowing and Understanding
Suddenly I'm hyper-aware of all of the things in our society that objectify, exploit, and demean women, relationships, and bodies.
I can't listen to my previously favorite songs as the words upset and disgust me.
I resented that my suitemate's boyfriend was so near me at such a vulnerable point in my morning. I didn't want any men anywhere near me in my apartment.
The seemingly innocent comment "T-Ho" on the whiteboard greatly agitated me.
I just wanted the shirtless men to cover up.
Our society has normalized these things, celebrates them. My eyes have opened-- I'm so sensitive to all those aspects I'd simply overlooked.
What happened to me last night was not okay. It's not okay that I am now part of that statistic. It's not okay that I was put into that position without my permission. It was not okay.
They know what I'm saying, agree that it was wrong. But they don't see that it also affected me. They don't understand.
I'm not okay.
But I will be.