Words of Wisdom from Young Voices at SlutWalk San Diego

Two of the event organizers, Pamela Doble and Anastasia Shevchenko - SlutWalk San Diego, June 11 2011. Photo by Frank Gormlie

In our coverage of SlutWalk San Diego we’ve noted the number of young people involved in this event. I want to give a more formal introduction to two of the young women that were involved in organizing this the movement in San Diego.

I met Pamela Doble and Anastasia Shevchenko for the first time at an organizing meeting held a little more that a week before the event was to take place. I was impressed by their enthusiasm and by the amount of work they had already accomplished. I can think of no better way to introduce these two young women than to let their own words speak for themselves. What follows is the text of the speeches they made last Saturday.

First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who made it out today. Thank you to our allies, our volunteers, and all of our supporters.

People often ask me, “Why did you get involved with SlutWalk?”

I am a bi-racial, multi-cultural woman of color tired of being told that I’m fighting for “white girl problems.” I have been given the opportunity to speak for those who have been silenced. I am tired of being told that any outward expression of my sexuality is either wrong, disgusting, or shameful.

I think it’s safe to say that we have all come together today
BECAUSE WE’VE HAD ENOUGH
Because we refuse to be victims
we are SURVIVORS
we are unapologetic.
we are not asking for tolerance
we are DEMANDING RESPECT for being who we are,
we are DEMANDING JUSTICE for the crimes committed against us,
and we are DEMANDING CHANGE to a society that alienates and oppresses us;
a society that teaches
“don’t get raped”
instead of
“don’t rape.”

Because we are tired of being objectified.
Because rape is NOT comparable to getting a flat tire.
Because we understand that sexual assault occurs in all cultures, all time periods, to all genders, to people of every race and ethnicity, and all across the globe.

This is a call to action
to educate our families,
to demonstrate with our friends,
and to liberate ourselves.

– Pamela Doble, Organizer – SlutWalk San Diego

Welcome to Rape Culture U.S.A.,
Where anyone is allowed to proclaim
that every stitch of the blouse that you wore last night was asking for rape.

Now all the short skirts you possess
bear warning labels:
Do not mix with alcohol, dark alleys, or unstable
lovers because the result of your uncovered cleavage mixed with the chemical makeup of this particular guy on this particular night, at this particular time
will cause you to bring it upon yourself
Every perfume that is sitting on your shelf gives permission to be smelt from close proximity.
Every smile that you throw at any stranger has consent stored at the creases of your lips.

Should you go grocery shopping tonight, you shouldn’t
because what you buy might give away your secret desire to be preyed upon.
And if you haven’t gone on a date it a while,
you’re clearly in need of getting laid.

If you say that you love sex, then you have no limitations.
If you’re waiting for the right time then you’re prude and way too anxious about it.
Let your hair down for a change. Come on, it’ll be fun I swear.
And I no longer care to feed this fire of justification which fixates on
spoon-feeding sympathy to rapists.

We are taught to be victims before we know what victims are,
We must follow codes of conduct and pray to our lucky stars,
that the footsteps behind us won’t take away our liberation,
That our character won’t be judged by the tingling sensation in someone else’s underwear
and I swear
This is all about to change America,
It’s no longer about how I dress,
Or how much she drank,
or how much he flirted.

It’s not about promiscuity or anyone’s sexual purpose.
It’s about teaching our sons and daughters that rape isn’t a compliment.
It’s about changing the status of consent from choice to requirement.
It’s about silencing cat calls and feelings of entitlement.
It’s about ending this patriarchal trend of violence.

We are finished with this silence,
It’s now gone and won’t be missed,
because justifications of sexual assault don’t exist.

~Anastasia Shevchenko, Organizer – SlutWalk San Diego

Please see the Youtube video of the speech given by Foxxy LaDae, also!