"In today’s horrific times of vile inhumanity,
Where lungs are choked with smoke and minds with lunacy,
Where savages have decided to assault you naked bare,
Be ironclad strong inside out like a warrior,
No one but you are gonna be your saviour." - Apoorva Reddy
Quietly it all happens, be it on an empty road or a temple or a crowded city or in your home, it happens, where someone is pinned down, voice suppressed, touched against their will, being exploited sexually as well as psychologically, ripping away clothes along with self-dignity.
When this happens, our society justifies rape and believes that rape is a form of humiliation and punishment which they deserve or called upon themselves. Like, "she deserved this for wearing such short length skirt or why was she walking alone at that time in that place or she has such impulsive behaviour, she deserves to be raped". It’s not about the size of the skirt, it’s about the size of your brain which can’t comprehend that No means No. That sex is a natural act to be made out of love but not force. That alcohol, revealing clothes, walking home alone, being in the wrong place, impulsive behaviour, flirting or the weather are not the causes for rape but the sole cause of rape is the rapist.
When we here the word rape, we imagine a weak devasted girl on an empty street trembling in fear, with clothes getting ripped. But none of us thinks of a man being assaulted against his will by women or a man in some cases. And these issues are not voiced, why? Because remember, our society asks men to be strong and downright emotionless, a man can’t cry his heart out. In today’s era, the world is seeing a rise in feminism, where every guy is seen as a potential rapist, there are guys whose sobs are suppressed just to meet the society’s standard of being a strong man.
Rape is rape irrespective of the victim’s gender. She is a woman, not a pretty excuse for your sins to wrap onto her skin, for the colour of her lipstick was too bright or the dress was too inviting, even if it’s against her will. He is a man, not a mere machine to be strong and emotionless all the time and bullied over for being vulnerable.
They have gone through a lot of pain physically and mentally, they dint ask for this fight, it was forced upon them. They less admire themselves in the mirror for someone’s mistake, blaming themselves, developing a negative self-image. They are being teased, feared, blamed and viewed differently for being assaulted. They go through a battle inside their head every day about what had happened and what will happen if they voice the injustice done to them. Dehumanising them and turning a blind eye to their pain has to be stopped. Society’s stigma still associated with narrow-minded bloat where the victim is blamed upon, let’s offer safe space for them to open up and offer them the support they seek. It’s not okay to curb your pain and act normal because of the fear of society. Please listen when they are complaining, don’t blame them or ignore them, give them strength, not doubt or pity.
Not just that, let’s change our perspective of thinking. Let’s teach our kids that it’s not okay to feel control over others body, we are no one to judge a person for their way of dressing or their behaviour, that consent is very important. Gender inequality, racism, religious and socio-economic discrimination, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, objectification, entitlement, intersectionality, gaslighting, love bombing, withholding, hovering, blame-shifting, criticism and guilt-tripping should all be stopped. A man can be vulnerable, stop burdening him to meet society’s standard for masculinity, offer him solace when he seeks it. A woman can be strong and independent and have her own opinions and make her own choices. Let’s pledge to accept this diversity of thoughts and actions among people and offer safe space for people around us. Let’s be the change to make this world a better place to live filled with humanity.
About the Author
Apoorva Reddy is a medical student, an aspiring writer and gender equality proponent.
The views expressed are the author’s own.
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