Last night on the Golden Globes some pretty amazing men and women let everyone know that not treating others with the respect and equity they deserve is off the table. Laura Dern, as part of her acceptance speech for best supporting actress, joined the chorus with this powerful statement:
“May we teach our children that speaking out without the fear of retribution is our culture’s new North Star.”
In Grade Seven groping was a pretty routine occurrence. If you can imagine a junior high classroom, you can probably remember those plastic chairs that had a hole in the bottom half of the back. I put books in front of those holes daily to prevent guys who were sitting behind me from grabbing my ass. Once that was covered, it was just a matter of sitting with your arms folded to avoid your breasts getting groped as well.
One day a teacher saw this happen and reported one of the boys. He got suspended. I tried to stay away from school too. When I did return it was to physical threats for having gotten him suspended and wanting assurance I wasn't going to be pressing charges. The saddest part about that it was other girls in my school who issued those threats to me.
And that's how I remember Grade Seven.
This isn't a story that I share very often. Mostly because it took me a long time to accept that not being silent was the right and courageous thing to do. I had shame simultaneously around not speaking up and feeling silly for thinking I even had a right to. What a majorly crazy culture we have created.
That's why I'm inspired and hopeful about things like Time's Up. I hope for my niece and nephew and my future children that speaking up will be celebrated in their future. That they won't have to reason with themselves that these things happening to them aren't a big deal in order to justify not saying anything.
You're on notice world. It's time for the days of kindness, respect and caring for all.
p.s. If you haven't already, you need to watch Oprah give a masterclass in speeches and inspiration.
Being a Force for Good 