That’s how real they felt to me in that moment
That is the power of the spoken word
I don’t usually watch the Golden Globes; sometimes I’ll watch a recap or two
But this time, I found myself going back to the moments both before and after Oprah’s speech
I looked into the onscreen eyes of all these actors and I saw that glimmer, that feeling of long lost hope returning
Oprah became the first black woman to receive the Cecile B DeMille Award for her amazing contribution to the entertainment industry
She highlighted the ongoing #MeToo campaign that had spread far and wide in Hollywood and appreciated the women who finally spoke out
Acknowledging not just the women in Hollywood but women everywhere, in every occupation, who had been through abuse and harassment, she applauded them for their courage to keep going and their decision to stay in abusive relationships/marriages for the sake of their children and family – like her own mother did
It wasn’t just her words that were inspiring and encouraging, it was the way that she spoke that every eye was on her and every word sunk into our consciousness
I too –like Oprah and many women out there – long for the day that our girls do not have to be afraid anymore
The precedent has been set – the truth does matter, it always has and it always will
I think somewhere along the way, we just forgot that it did
Oprah’s acknowledgment of speaking your truth matters is just a word of support to all those who have to keep it inside them because they are scared of what their truth might to do them and people around them
This should lend support specially to our Pakistani girls
Our girls are told to hide their pain every day, but their pain deserves to be heard
It deserves to be felt
If you’re reading this, your pain deserves to be heard as well
So today, I long for our women and girls and men and boys to all own their pain
Victims will always be shamed but your truth is more important
As inspiring as Oprah’s speech was, I think we need to acknowledge one thing – the lack of recognition male harassment gets
In Pakistan, it will always be an ego problem
Patriarchy extends its influence through the stringent ropes of the male ego – a man must not show pain, a man must not surrender his manhood
We tend to push that narrative under the blanket, it’s true, as women – as a woman – we are so rarely heard
But to the men that speak their truths, we stand by you and to the men that listen, thank you for hearing us
One woman’s story of success – Oprah’s story – will always inspire me
I’m thinking of her as a young girl sitting on the floor and now look at how far she’s come
That’s hope right there
That’s the beauty of determination
To every girl that thinks her life lacks hope, that her dreams are too out of reach, know that circumstances can change
To Zainab, Tayyaba, Khadija, Batool, Sajida and unfortunately so many girls – every girl that’s been used and abused – this one’s for you
Every girl that’s been harassed, that’s been taken, that’s been mistreated, that’s been ignored – this one’s for you
| Date: | 14-Jan-2018 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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