clothesline project (sexual abuse awareness month)

Recently, in recognition of Sexual Abuse Awareness month (I believe) the University of Maryland held a clothesline project. In this project, individuals who had been raped expressed their emotions and experiences through writing on t-shirts. These t-shirts were then displayed on a clothesline outside the library where I study. And where I was at class on this day.

Hundreds of tshirts surrounded the plaza outside of the library. Each fluttered in the slight breeze of a very sunny day. I stopped to read a few. And then a few more. And then became overwhelmed by the truth and reality born by this very special clothesline.

Each shirt cried out the anguish of the victims. Of stolen childhoods. Of trusted family friends who raped them again and again. Some proclaimed healing and freedom. Others swore. Most were written in English, some in an alphabet I cannot understand.

Each shirt represented a raped human being, mostly women, some men. Each shirt spoke out against a silence that certainly each woman had borne. This group expression of their pain was deafening. Even the sunny day was silenced.

::

I have had friends who have been victims and voiced their pain.

But I know there are many more who do not speak out. I recently became aware of a friend who has not spoken and probably never will. And I am suddenly acutely aware of how many individuals bear the shame of sexual abuse so deep down in their souls, and how it almost never comes out. And how it happens to children, to teenagers, to young adults... leaving alot of the rest of their lives to deal with the consequences.

::

I am not real sure where to go from here. There is alot of pain in the world, and being confronted with it in such a poignant way is profound- however the emotion lacks a direction. I blog about it because it has been burdening my heart. Maybe some of you can identify. Maybe some of you have been silent.

We need to speak out on behalf of those abused. Even if it is yourself.

And for now, this is the best way I can.

::