I spent years being offended by, confused by and dismissive of a woman who went to community gatherings topless. It took me years to acknowledge the jealousy, fear and ultimately the anger at the root of my offense. Often we agree with each other but we fail in communicating; we fail to understand and be understood.
She (a woman who I will refer to as Liberty from here on because I did not ask her permission to share) spoke with her actions, and the way she lives is a beautiful example to all of us but the action of being topless egged something in me, as it may have in you. It was in my face the whole time and I knew better than to judge her but I did it anyway.
Now I see I wanted to be topless, I wanted to be naked and feel safe. I was angry with her because I thought I didn't have the right, and I don't, neither does she; if we consider rights to be something arbitrarily granted by an assuming authority.
I don't wear bras and the judgement I receive is a mirror of the way I treated her. I thought she was exploiting what it means to be a woman and now I see she is making it safe to be a woman.
My body is scrutinized daily by people who confront me and by ads that bombard me. I feel ashamed of my body, I love it, but I fear it because my form, the body I was born into, the body I didn't choose is not safe in this world. I am diligent, prudent and I always know my exits. I walk with a knife ready in my hand late at night, I keep my feet paced, I move swiftly and I am my instincts.
Women live and love in fear. Liberty experiences fear and her answer to it? She takes her top off and looks you in the eyes. This is bravery. I love you Liberty and I'm grateful to finally see you.
She (a woman who I will refer to as Liberty from here on because I did not ask her permission to share) spoke with her actions, and the way she lives is a beautiful example to all of us but the action of being topless egged something in me, as it may have in you. It was in my face the whole time and I knew better than to judge her but I did it anyway.
Now I see I wanted to be topless, I wanted to be naked and feel safe. I was angry with her because I thought I didn't have the right, and I don't, neither does she; if we consider rights to be something arbitrarily granted by an assuming authority.
I don't wear bras and the judgement I receive is a mirror of the way I treated her. I thought she was exploiting what it means to be a woman and now I see she is making it safe to be a woman.
My body is scrutinized daily by people who confront me and by ads that bombard me. I feel ashamed of my body, I love it, but I fear it because my form, the body I was born into, the body I didn't choose is not safe in this world. I am diligent, prudent and I always know my exits. I walk with a knife ready in my hand late at night, I keep my feet paced, I move swiftly and I am my instincts.
Women live and love in fear. Liberty experiences fear and her answer to it? She takes her top off and looks you in the eyes. This is bravery. I love you Liberty and I'm grateful to finally see you.