Your story is a hard, brave thing to write, but it is necessary for you to write it and it is necessary for us to hear it. I am grateful for your courage.
I know this is a big ask, but can you remember the Rhodesian’s name? I knew one who was in Israel during that timeframe. If you can remember, please dm it to me. Let’s see how small the world is.
Unfortunately, I didn't get his name. He was a volunteer on a neighboring kibbutz in northern Israel, not a worker for any aid agency that I know of. The encounter with him was very brief and no further contact occurred. Sorry. As I recall, he was a big, burly, blonde guy, if that means anything at all. It probably describes everybody, right? 😬
These reveals about the loss of humanity are frightening to be sure, but much better being told to us all, who mostly cannot have lived so long without such awful violation and violence to our minds, spirts, and especially our bodies. It shows just how strong you are, Sue. But your writing already illustrated that. You always lead with a bit of a fist, and I enjoy that, actually. The truth. The facts come from our bodies not our lips. Letting them out gives room for not only mental health, but physical room to move freely in this world, with courage, wisdom, and unity as women. I heard a term yesterday, "Use your swivel eyes." Better than "keep eyes on your back." Funny, "swivel eyes." A character in a horror movie. Not usually the victim.
What a remarkable comment this is, Constance. You revealed something about how my writing affects readers. "Lead with a bit of a fist." I love it, and never in my dreams imagined I did that. Thank you.
Our purpose as creatives is to reveal our truth. That's all we can do, actually. I try to interspace the darkness with the beauty that has come to me throughout my life as well. It's a rollercoaster ride of trauma and redemption. And it comes from all angles; thus, the swivel eyes is a wonderful metaphor for how we can see it coming at us. Ward off the demons and send them flying into the light. Thank you, Constance.
What an awful thing to experience, I’m so sorry. It takes a lot of courage—and energy—to write about the trauma of rape. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that it allowed you to continue to process and heal.
Thank you, Sharron. This story has been rattling around in my head for over 45 years. I finally had to let it go. Maybe it will help somebody, especially women who travel to Arab countries. There was a woman who became my roommate after my program roommates left for home. She was not only scary after working as a psych nurse in an institution for years, she and her two traveling companions had one hell of a time crossing northern Africa. (Can you even imagine?) They were harassed all the time. And Israel is much the same. It became ridiculous. Maybe you encountered similar situations in Italy??????? Meditarranian Man Syndrome? One of the girls in the group (the other Mormon girl from Idaho) was kind of cocky about it all. Again, so was I until it happened to me.
I've never felt scared in Italy, although some men like to engage in catcalling and be rather annoying, but not on that scale. It was more common in the 70s and 80s, though, I like to think that the new generations are somewhat more civilized.
In some parts of the world, men still have a lot to learn.
Wow, that was powerful. I appreciate your sharing. I hope it helped to quiet some demons for you. It is healing to broaden the experience to include Larry.
Your story is a hard, brave thing to write, but it is necessary for you to write it and it is necessary for us to hear it. I am grateful for your courage.
I know this is a big ask, but can you remember the Rhodesian’s name? I knew one who was in Israel during that timeframe. If you can remember, please dm it to me. Let’s see how small the world is.
Unfortunately, I didn't get his name. He was a volunteer on a neighboring kibbutz in northern Israel, not a worker for any aid agency that I know of. The encounter with him was very brief and no further contact occurred. Sorry. As I recall, he was a big, burly, blonde guy, if that means anything at all. It probably describes everybody, right? 😬
I thought I would give it a shot after recently meeting a Zimbabwean guy here with whom we have five friends there in common.
These reveals about the loss of humanity are frightening to be sure, but much better being told to us all, who mostly cannot have lived so long without such awful violation and violence to our minds, spirts, and especially our bodies. It shows just how strong you are, Sue. But your writing already illustrated that. You always lead with a bit of a fist, and I enjoy that, actually. The truth. The facts come from our bodies not our lips. Letting them out gives room for not only mental health, but physical room to move freely in this world, with courage, wisdom, and unity as women. I heard a term yesterday, "Use your swivel eyes." Better than "keep eyes on your back." Funny, "swivel eyes." A character in a horror movie. Not usually the victim.
What a remarkable comment this is, Constance. You revealed something about how my writing affects readers. "Lead with a bit of a fist." I love it, and never in my dreams imagined I did that. Thank you.
Our purpose as creatives is to reveal our truth. That's all we can do, actually. I try to interspace the darkness with the beauty that has come to me throughout my life as well. It's a rollercoaster ride of trauma and redemption. And it comes from all angles; thus, the swivel eyes is a wonderful metaphor for how we can see it coming at us. Ward off the demons and send them flying into the light. Thank you, Constance.
What an awful thing to experience, I’m so sorry. It takes a lot of courage—and energy—to write about the trauma of rape. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that it allowed you to continue to process and heal.
Sue, I'm so sorry you had to go through this terrible ordeal. But don't blame yourself, you did nothing to deserve it, nothing at all.
Thank you, Sharron. This story has been rattling around in my head for over 45 years. I finally had to let it go. Maybe it will help somebody, especially women who travel to Arab countries. There was a woman who became my roommate after my program roommates left for home. She was not only scary after working as a psych nurse in an institution for years, she and her two traveling companions had one hell of a time crossing northern Africa. (Can you even imagine?) They were harassed all the time. And Israel is much the same. It became ridiculous. Maybe you encountered similar situations in Italy??????? Meditarranian Man Syndrome? One of the girls in the group (the other Mormon girl from Idaho) was kind of cocky about it all. Again, so was I until it happened to me.
I've never felt scared in Italy, although some men like to engage in catcalling and be rather annoying, but not on that scale. It was more common in the 70s and 80s, though, I like to think that the new generations are somewhat more civilized.
In some parts of the world, men still have a lot to learn.
That's for sure! And in some places, men are actually devolving.
Telling this story took courage, Sue. I do hope it helps you find rest. So many women have similar stories that they keep inside forever.
Wow, that was powerful. I appreciate your sharing. I hope it helped to quiet some demons for you. It is healing to broaden the experience to include Larry.