Embrace the transition and fearlessly expose your wings!
After months of waiting, Taylor’s Version of her album Red has finally been released. Taylor Swift’s fourth studio album originally debuted in October 2012, but this year she has begun re-releasing her previous works in order to rightfully gain back ownership of her masters. After thoroughly enjoying the release of Fearless(Taylor’s Version) in May of… Continue reading Five Songs From ‘Red’ That Deeply Influenced My Womanhood
“Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”Paul Holes Paul Holes used this phrase in his podcast today stating this is commonly said between crime investigators. Like I’ve said time and time again, especially in cases of sexual assault, it tends to come down to a he-said-she-said, which in turn leaves many cases unreported. Often… Continue reading A Survivor’s Thoughts On Reporting An Assault By Ariel
They tell me I'm strong. It's true. How familiar, the sound of misunderstanding behind the word "strong" coupled with good intentions. I say nothing or "thank you." It’s widely believed that trauma makes victims more resilient. Trauma doesn't make victims more anything. Trauma takes. Trauma is a monster that aims to annihilate anything in its… Continue reading Despite, Not Because
I'd be tempted to keep her from society. Not for myself, but to protect her soul. To shield her from the poison that exists in the sharp teeth of the monsters who slither around and feast on angelic beings. Imagine if there was a way to assure that she would remain unscathed, unviolated, unscarred, unburdened … Continue reading If I Had A Daughter
Everyone says therapy is necessary after trauma. I agree but it's not as simple as it sounds. Therapy is not gossiping with your friends or venting to your family. It can feel that way eventually. But therapy is work. Therapy is a mirror. Therapy is difficult often. I run from things that are difficult and… Continue reading I don’t have a therapist. Here is a poem.
TW: LGBTQIA+ Suicide, Homophobia June is my favorite month of the summer season because almost every day, my social media feed is filled with a colorful collage of pictures and inspirational sentiments from the many out and proud members of the LGBTQIA+ community. While it would be ideal if all of the members of this… Continue reading Remember, Not Everyone Can Reveal Their Pride
TW: Transphobia, Sexual assault, PTSD Brooklyn Summers is a black transgender woman and survivor of sexual assault from North Hollywood, Florida. After being diagnosed with PTSD, she was admitted to a mental hospital due to continuous intense nightmares about the torment she suffered the night of her assault. When she could no longer stay at… Continue reading Fundraiser for Brooklyn Summers
Dear 22-year-old Alex, I know you don't think so, but there are so many reasons to love you that have nothing to do with your mile-long legs or the sparkle of your eager eyes. Your endless enthusiasm combined with your head-turning audacity are what make you special. I envy the boundless energy you possess at… Continue reading Fall in Love with Yourself: A Letter to Me at 22
It is important for us to recognize that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. But, in 2021, is "awareness" really something we need more of? The awareness we needed came after the early to mid 2010s when women’s empowerment started trending in pop culture and slowly grew. We saw female artists and actresses considering feminism… Continue reading Performative Activism is Everywhere
TW: Rape, sexual violence, abuse, sexism I know the right thing to do is to pursue justice. But all my life, what I've known to be true is that moving on requires a lot of space, time and personal growth. Pursuing justice will stunt this. Pursuing justice will take up all the space in my… Continue reading A Survivor’s Thoughts on Pursuing Justice
Eternal Metamorphosis 