“You Have the Right to Live In Your Own Body.”
Hey there, readers! I’m Miranda, a new blogger, and I’m just pleased pink to be here.
My interest in anti-rape activism began sometime in middle school, right about the time I discovered riot grrl music. Overnight I’d grown great big boobies, and every day I dreaded the inevitable catcalls when I walked home from school. Then I listened to Bikini Kill. Here was a group of talented, loud-mouthed women, fed up with street harassment, exploitation and rape apologists, and they spoke to every anxiety and frustration I had about living in a society that alienated me from my own body and my sexuality. The first time I heard Kathleen Hanna scream/croon, “I believe in the radical possibilities of pleasure, babe,” I knew I was home.
Now I’m 23 and a dedicated anti-rape activist. I’m a certified sexual assault crisis intervention counselor at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago. When some creep tries to humiliate me, I hollabackand street-shame him. I do this because I know that the movement to end rape is an uphill battle and everything we say—or don’t say—counts. So I’m here to do my part to keep the conversation going. And I’m here, blogging for you lovely readers, in case my voice can be that scream/croon that tells you, “You have the right to live in your own body.”
So happy to have you blogging, Miranda! I’ll keep an eye on your posts!!!!