June 2011
74 posts
I would just like to say that I think it's wonderful that such a beautiful young woman such as yourself is taking a stand and fighting for what she believes in. Too often today we see women and girls afraid to speak their minds because of what others might say or think of them, and I only wish that these people could see you. You're quite the inspiration!
Have a good day x
Thank you so much! Many women are certainly raised to be careful people-pleasers who go out of their way not to step on any toes (myself included). I definitely agree that we could all use empowerment, and I am thankful to have discovered this empowerment rather early on in my life. Each day I’m working on becoming stronger, braver and more sure of myself. I thank you for your support :)
By the way, I think it’s beautiful that you’re inclined to openly share admiration and validation toward other women. So often we try to only feel empowered within ourselves, whilst still neglecting or even shaming our fellow women. It’s great that you recognize that self-empowerment includes empowering those around you :)
Rock on.
formspring.me
questions, comments, concerns… http://formspring.me/juliesummers
You're an incredible woman, you know that? Keep going. It's people like you who inspire those free spirits out there to keep fighting for what's right and to take back what they've lost. Thank you for allowing me to find a bit of that back. I thought I was a victim for the longest time, but you know what? Pft, I'm a SURVIVOR, we all are. We're strong, beautiful,we're free. We're fighters man. Have a good day Julie.
Hell yes! I love it! Empowered, strong, level-headed women are kick ass and so inspiring. We all need to focus on healing and empowering ourselves, and then bring everyone else up there with us.
Rock on, beautiful lady!
How would you describe what holistic wellness and feminism means?
Holistic wellness refers to spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical health that takes into consideration the whole picture (versus western medicine which ignores causes and prescribes a pill). It is a lifestyle which looks at healing the body naturally: I avoid OTC drugs and medications, processed/unhealthy foods and negative energy. I focus on spirituality, meditation, yoga, and balance.
Feminism is the belief in social, political, economic, sexual, educational equality and empowerment amongst the sexes.
“Things That Cause Rape” Sign Cuts Through The Bullshit. →
youdopia.com
Wow! You guys rock. In the past few days, you guys have spread my photo around so much that it’s winding up all over the internet and sparking discussions!
http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/hvfnf/things_that_cause_rape/
http://imgur.com/gallery/V6p0X
http://www.buzzfeed.com/fjelstud/things-that-cause-rape
http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/2214207/Things+that+cause+rape/
http://digg.com/news/lifestyle/things_that_cause_rape
http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/things_that_cause_rape/
http://www.redditpics.com/things-that-cause-rape,144030/
http://satelliteheadlines.com/79651/things-that-cause-rape/
http://www.new-606.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=5742&pid=78386
etc
Personal story I think goes along with the protest you recently were at.
I have been a victim of molestation. I told my parents when I was younger, but they didn't believe me. Today, I talked to my dad about it all. I told him that everything was true. I don't know how they can think that an 11/13 year old would lie about something that she didn't even know about. I didn't know what sex was. I knew what was going on was wrong, but I didn't know how the man was feeling. I didn't understand what he was doing. I feel like I can breathe. I've been wanting to talk to my father about this for nine years. I'm okay with the fact that it happened to me though. I'm a strong female, and I have my priorities straight. It took me a long time to get here. At first, I was afraid of all men. I made sure I was never alone wherever I went anywhere. I never dated men. I never wanted to put myself in the situation that I was apparently in with the two men who molested me. By talking about my situation with friends, and gaining my own self-confidence, and understand that what happened to me wasn't my fault. I was in the wrong place, wrong time, with men who are sick. You know what? I forgive them. I will not let what has happened to me affect me as an independent, loving woman. I'm in love with a man. I have passed the point of hating all men except for my father, little brother, and grandfather. I love my boyfriend. It's taken me many boys to get to him, but I have finally found a man.
Wow, this is so moving!
Thank you for sharing this on my page. I am SO proud of you. You are a survivor, and I am so proud of you for not letting this ruin your life. You are a strong, passionate, intelligent woman. Be proud!! Continue to share your story and support others who may not have reached the level of acceptance and clarity that you have.
Rock on <3
Have you ever experimented sexually with other women? Asking because you seem completely for homosexual people. I have no problem with it, I just personally think it's not natural. That's not how we were meant to be, its just sort of brainwashing. People these days have made to be a turn on or "hot". I think that is why more and more people these days are becoming gay.
Nope, I have not.
Yes, you’re correct - I very much do support human rights.
I ENTIRELY disagree with your assertions. There is homosexuality in every single living species on this planet. Are they just “jumping on the bandwagon” too? Organized religion is very clearly unnatural and a form of brainwashing. I’m not going to go onto strangers’ pages and make them wrong for buying it though.
I’m sorry, but I think it’s completely ignorant to assert that our society as a whole is portraying homosexuality as being hot. I have so many gay friends, and each one of them have been so marginalized, suppressed and discriminated against. They all had to hide their sexuality while they were growing up since, especially the ones who grew up in the the midwest/middle of the country, were told by everyone their entire lives that homosexuality is “unnatural”, “disgusting”, ”sinful” etc. In nearly every case, people in the LGBT community tend to wait until they are out of highschool, out of the house, and more autonomous before they have the courage to come out.
People don’t “become gay”. It is NOT a trend. It is not an active choice. Largely due to the activism of the LGBT community and allies, our society (California, at least) is just finally becoming more accepting of homosexuality which is why you may be seeing more outed gays these days than you would have in the 50s. Obviously the majority (of adults, at least) still have a lot of hate and fucked up opinions toward them, as evidenced in [our supposedly more liberal] state by the outcome of Proposition 8. We have a long way to go.
You keep your sexuality, I’ll keep mine, and let everyone else keep theirs. Who someone is attracted to is unequivocally NONE of anyone else’s business.
Girl, you had me sold when I read your description. Who isn't attracted to a beautiful girl that stands up for what's right and just?What kind of resolutions do you hope to see come out of your protests? It's beautiful and all but It doesnt resolve.
Thank you, sweetie! I appreciate that.
Obviously SlutWalk isn’t going to instantly stop rapists from raping, but one of the primary goals was to empower women to embrace the terms that have been used to shame and marginalize them. In our society, women get called degrading names all the time. I was harassed and called a slut in school from the time I was twelve (before I had ever even kissed anyone). Men and women are still going to be calling women sluts (regardless of whether we’ve slept with one person, with thousands, or even if they know NOTHING about our sexual history one way or the other). SlutWalk encourages women to embracing the terms “slut” and “whore”, and say “Okay fine - You call me a slut. Whatever, I’m a slut. That means NOTHING to me”. Sort of how the LGBT community took the power out of the word “queer” by embracing it for themselves.
(There is a fabulous excerpt from Jezebel about this. Let me know if you’d like me to send it to you)
The other main goal of SlutWalk was to raise awareness and let women, and society as a whole know that it is NEVER the victims fault, and we are NEVER “asking for” rape. In our rape culture, it is disgustingly common for women to be blamed for bringing it on themselves. “Well she shouldn’t have been drinking so much”. Additionally, many women manage to convince themselves that “… well maybe it wasn’t really rape.. I mean, I did eventually stop fighting it” (which is fucking BULLSHIT. NO means NO, and a lack of a no is not a yes. Period. SlutWalk is intending to change the public perception of rape, but what I realized (and I haven’t heard this anywhere else - it’s just my opinion on the subject), is that one of the most important things that SlutWalk aims to do is to eliminate the shame and responsibility victims so often feel, and help empower them to recognize rape for what it really is and to report/fight back/call out their attacker. Currently over 60% of cases of rape and sexual harassment to unreported. Personally (before I became empowered or educated about feminism) I stayed quiet and ashamed about my situation, because I was told that it was my fault. They weren’t reported and so the guys were able to convince themselves (and others) that, because I didn’t report them, it must not have actually been assault. Educating women about the subject and eliminating the shame currently put on them by our rape culture would help get these people behind bars, stop making people think it was acceptable to rape and harass, and help crack down on all the millions of active rapists that are walking free right now because the women were shamed into silence.
fukk yu
Well good morning to you too, sunshine!
What, pray tell, inspired you to leave such early-morning hatred and negativity on a stranger’s page?
I hope you manage to turn your day around! Invalidation and hatred are never pleasant mindsets to wake up into and continue to emanate.
your so pretty and i love how you protest, you are so right!
Thank you! I’m glad to see another woman who doesn’t buy the bullshit idea that victims are responsible for actively preventing and bringing on own rape.
Depending on where you life, there could verywell be a SlutWalk coming up in your area that you too can take part in!
It is very empowering to be around such strong, confident, brave women and men!
thats youre actual photo? thats so cool. i like your sign, but his stood out to me more.
Understandably!!! I thought his was super powerful, especially considering his represented the masculine support of both male and female honor and rights surrounding rape. It combats the myth of male weakness and shows that, despite popular belief, men ARE strong enough to control themselves.
Did you participate in Slut Walk? My sister is a college student in Switzerland and helped organize the one one in Italy. I think it is a wonderful thing,and I wish I could have participated.
Yes! That photo of me was from SlutWalk LA. It was very empowering and inspiring. My mentor/Women’s studies professor, Hugo Schwyzer, was a key player in making the LA SlutWalk happen. I think you’d enjoy his work!
I would definitely recommend participating in a SlutWalk if you get the opportunity!
you are awesome. i've been reading some of your stuff. fantastic.
Oh, I’m so glad that you have been reading and appreciating my thoughts and viewpoints :)
Shine on <3
you're a beautiful person, inside and out. [:
I appreciate that, and I appreciate you.
Stay strong and fight on!
your blogs really inspirational! keep up the good work xx
Thank you so much!! :D
