I have been listening to Lana Del Rey songs all weekend. On Friday night when I had trouble falling asleep. Saturday while dancing slightly and making dinner for the house. And on Sunday while trying to write this email to you.
A lot has happened lately from the tragic death of George Floyd, the black lives matter protests in America to 22 year old Uwa raped and killed in Nigeria. And then waking up on Monday to the news of 69 Covid-19 cases in my state.
The internet has been crazy lately too and I have deliberately been trying to stay off the socials because of my anxiety. This has been unsuccessful because I still received emails. I have had to read stories of rape by other women like this heart breaking one by Ope. Like most women, I have my own story of sexual assault.
It has been overwhelming to say the least, so much that I had decided not to send an email last weekend. Well I'm here now and I am desperately trying to distract myself and talk about Lana instead.
I didn't realize her songs were my coping mechanism until I started this email. I was still in denial until I listened to my favorite song of hers.
I understand that the world we live in tends to associate delicateness as weakness or negativity. This is why I am intrigued with the way Lana Del Rey songs applauds the concept that a woman can have fragility and strength.
Well, I've always been fascinated with delicateness in people or the world. It is a cause I champion when ideas like super woman or strong woman are fed to us by the world.
Photo credit: Women in Livingness
I know at this moment, women are been told to speak up, be tough, strong and all sorts of things. Please do speak up but you don't have to toughen up. It is okay. to unplug. and give it time. to heal.
Be vulnerable about this moment. This is your strength.
Photo credit: The Delicate World
If we made more room for fragility and delicateness in our world then people would pause a moment and think of the next person.
Become self aware of our actions. This would make us hear 'I can't breathe' and take off our knee or never put it there in the first place.
I will close with this
1. Until we realize the delicateness within and use it and
2. Until we stop seeing sex as something a woman gives to a man but as an activity which is done when there is mutual pleasure, mutual comfort and mutual consent.*
* both parties enjoy it, are comfortable doing it and consented to it.
Until then our hashtags will keep trending. sadly.
The Coolest Thing on the Internet
2020 has been a lot really and this video by Korty accurately describes how I feel.
Hang in there okay, M.
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