Ever since I was little, I lived for storytime. Whether done through voice, animated cartoon, or something I created inside my own mind, the process of crafting a story and giving someone an experience in some made believes realm where everything can happen and happy ever afters are just over the horizon. And if anyone was good at peddling an idyllic make-believe world for children and adults alike, it’s Disney. Disney got ahead of literally everyone else when they animated almost every fairytale and princess story imaginable, and then they went on to create their own. Up until Tiana, and Merida, many of these stories - in one form or another - already existed. But once the 2010s began, I noticed a shift in Disney’s film factory. Tiana was a surprise as she was the first African American princess as well as being the most modern of the Disney film princesses. Merida was a shock when the movie “Brave” came out in 2012 because it was the first film without any romantic story plot. This…
I recall the first time a guy thought he had some unspoken right to my body, as he tried to force me into bed with him. I was able to get out of the situation before it escalated, but that moment haunted me for years. I was angry with him, but my anger did not come close to the shame I felt. I blamed myself, though the situation was entirely out of my control. I did not tell anyone about it for almost eight years
Instead, I let the shadows of shame creep in and set up residence. I began to have anxiety attacks and found myself struggling with an eating disorder and body shame. Why did I feel as if this thing that had been done to me was my fault?
It would take years for me to confidently answer this question; to find empowerment in my story and in other women’s stories. On the Subject of Empowerment I assume, by now, everyone is aware of the controversial performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira at the Super Bowl halftime show. I was not watching the night of the game, but a quick…
Score: 1.06
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