On Speaking Loudly
As a girl who experienced traumatic and unwanted sexual abuse I want to ad my support to the many other voices in support of the book Speak.
Book banning sucks. Intent of content can have many interpretations. If a parent makes a decision not to let their child read this book, for whatever reason, that is up to them. However, I would hope the entire book would be read and an independent decision would be made in context of what is actually being said rather then ignorantly listening to someone like Scroggins.
There is nothing pornographic or gratifying about two rape scenes that frankly were not graphic. If this titilates Prof. Scroggins then I would suggest that he's the filthy one. The cold hard truth is. Many parents are going to assume a Professor at a college has more merit then their 15 year old daughter or son who would like to read this book. That is unacceptable.
In many communities unintentionally or intentionally speaking out about abuse is often met with resistance. Often victims are the "dirty ones" for the very reasons I feel Scroggins calls this book dirty. This implies, to me, a feeling of shame, a stigma slapped on the act of abuse that stains the survivor. This idea is unacceptable. That is wrong. This shame, this keeping things like this quiet, this is a pain and a weight no-one should carry. The choice to ignore or turn the other way and not deal with the consequences of rape is easier for just about everyone. But at what cost? This hush, this quiet, this is unacceptable. This lie hurts everyone in the end. To stand up. To say no more. To say it was wrong. To say I was raped. To speak loudly and for others to hear-this is hard. This is sometimes impossibly hard. But it is the only way to heal.
A book like Speak gives power to someone who needs it most. It teaches those who haven't been in a situation like Melinda what it feels like in a way only a book can. What possible motivation could anyone have in trying to keep this book out schools?
I know what it is like to feel totally and completely alone. I know what it is like to be terrified. I know what it is like to wonder if it was your fault, to question if I'd only done this, or said that, or not worn the shirt, or walked away, or hadn't smiled...and to remain silent out of fear. I know what it is like to finally say no more, this is wrong, you cannot do this to me anymore.
I had a voice. Not everyone heard me but I spoke anyway. That is what I had.
Speak loudly and don't ever stop.
Book banning sucks. Intent of content can have many interpretations. If a parent makes a decision not to let their child read this book, for whatever reason, that is up to them. However, I would hope the entire book would be read and an independent decision would be made in context of what is actually being said rather then ignorantly listening to someone like Scroggins.
There is nothing pornographic or gratifying about two rape scenes that frankly were not graphic. If this titilates Prof. Scroggins then I would suggest that he's the filthy one. The cold hard truth is. Many parents are going to assume a Professor at a college has more merit then their 15 year old daughter or son who would like to read this book. That is unacceptable.
In many communities unintentionally or intentionally speaking out about abuse is often met with resistance. Often victims are the "dirty ones" for the very reasons I feel Scroggins calls this book dirty. This implies, to me, a feeling of shame, a stigma slapped on the act of abuse that stains the survivor. This idea is unacceptable. That is wrong. This shame, this keeping things like this quiet, this is a pain and a weight no-one should carry. The choice to ignore or turn the other way and not deal with the consequences of rape is easier for just about everyone. But at what cost? This hush, this quiet, this is unacceptable. This lie hurts everyone in the end. To stand up. To say no more. To say it was wrong. To say I was raped. To speak loudly and for others to hear-this is hard. This is sometimes impossibly hard. But it is the only way to heal.
A book like Speak gives power to someone who needs it most. It teaches those who haven't been in a situation like Melinda what it feels like in a way only a book can. What possible motivation could anyone have in trying to keep this book out schools?
I know what it is like to feel totally and completely alone. I know what it is like to be terrified. I know what it is like to wonder if it was your fault, to question if I'd only done this, or said that, or not worn the shirt, or walked away, or hadn't smiled...and to remain silent out of fear. I know what it is like to finally say no more, this is wrong, you cannot do this to me anymore.
I had a voice. Not everyone heard me but I spoke anyway. That is what I had.
Speak loudly and don't ever stop.