We are failing young girls and women and it is time we teach them that their worth isnât tied to virginity or their ability to wait it out. But most importantly, we need to stop shaming those who choose not to wait.
If you are like me, 2016 has been an incredibly difficult year full of racism, misogynoir, and sadness. Music saved my sanity. It carried me, comforted me, guided me, and gave me solidarity, shelter, and freedom where there was none otherwise.
No matter who you are, it's hard to be happy for yourself or others when you don't see yourself as worthy. But there is a silver lining. Like most things in life, this can be fixed. For many of us, daily intentions and shifting our mindset does wonders in rehabbing our self esteem.
I turned around to face this man while simultaneously reaching inside my purse. As I faced him with my hand inside my bag, I sensed something different from him, no longer predatory. Fear. He was afraid of ME.
Brands like Black Opal and Creme Of Nature scored poorly, and beauty products from lipsticks, concealers, and foundations to sun protective makeup came in underperforming.
Whatever the situation, you are not beyond help. You are not alone, and you donât have to walk alone in your journey of healing. The next steps may not be easy, but with the right support, you can conquer them, one step at a time.
In the first roundtable discussion of our new In Conversation series, five brave women sit down to share their personal stories of healing and moving forward after sexual assault, the cultural impact of rape culture and the power of self-truth.
Going without a bra isnât just a statement to say no more oppression, it is a personal fight for my liberation. It is me putting my foot down to the patriarchy and saying âno moreâ. Itâs a way to say to my body, which has endured constant shaming, that I love, cherish, and respect it if no one else will.
"The building blocks of my self-care are eight hours of sleep, lots of water, as much laughter and family time as possible, and following my heart around instead of my head."
"Too often women are not supported enough or are discouraged from choosing their path. I hope together we can change that. For me, it was a question of resilience. What others marked as flaws or disadvantages about myself â my race, my gender â I embraced as fuel for my success. I never let anything or anyone define me or my potential. I controlled my future."
"I don't want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing."