When I had first heard about the march I was elated: to hear that woman, men, educators, and students are going to group together to bring light to such a horrible cultural epidemic just made me smile.
Then I did research:
F*ck Rape Culture is not the first of it's kind. It takes after mother organizations such as NY's "SlutWalk" and "It's Your Fault" media (etc.) However, the march is rather new to OU; this is the second year that students have congregated to speak out about sexual harassment. Last year they had marched for freshmen sexual education and they achieved their goal. The goal to bring light to such a dark topic. It get's people talking.
To be honest, I planned on going there and just speaking my voice. I was not as involved as I wanted to be (or could have been due to classes), but when I got there I was just so overwhelmed with emotion.
I was proud of my school.
So proud to see so many out there with their signs and stories bared on their sleeves.
I went topless.
That's right. ME.
I've always been told that within the first year I would get naked...and I'm glad I stripped bare for a cause I care for.
I wrote in eyeliner and lipstick: "I'M TAKING BACK MY BODY". And I think I did just that.
I'm taking back my body, not taking it on my back. And I'm not going to take it anymore.
A few reporters asked me if they could take my picture, and I didn't expect to become some sort of photo leader. I stood in the front, chest bare, and metaphorical guns blazing and I just felt so.... fulfilled.
Me and some of my fellow classmates led the march to College green and then made a human barricade on the steps of the Alumni Archway as our fellow feminists spoke up about the sexual injustice of our campus as well as our culture.
We are making a change and I am honored to be a part of that.
