I posted this on facebook a few weeks ago:
Circling the wagons, sharpshooters poised and at the ready. (Don't mess with this fierce and fragile woman.)
This was in response to attacks seemingly from all fronts: my cat was bleeding out, my house was (is) at risk, my kids were pissed because I was moving back into my house -- the entire swirl of my planet was so out of control -- it felt as if the only response was to back myself into a corner and arm myself. (A metaphor.) (I don't do guns.) (I'm a pacifist.) I went all Calamity Jane for a moment. (Calamity T.) Leave me the f-ck alone. When feeling vulnerable -- especially as a woman -- protect yourself on all fronts. No dark alleys, nothing exposed. Keep the keys protruding between your knuckles. (I remember learning this in a Women's Empowerment Class in the 1970's.)
Unfortunately, this has been grossly misinterpreted, which makes me very sad.
As my friend Joe said, "Don't shoot the piano player."
No intention of doing that.
Ever.
Oh, good god, to the naysayers. I used to wear my keys like that when I walked from 5th Avenue to Lexington in NYC at 5:30 in the AM to catch a bus uptown to my job. I felt so safe.
ReplyDeleteAs for posses and pacifism -- I have a posse myself, known for gearing up and gathering round me to fight the insurance companies and powers that be. I'm a pacifist, too, but will join you in a sec so don't feel like you have to back into a corner all alone. I've got your back.
It's people who have never faced any kind of trouble who have the most to say yes? When you are under attack you do what you need to do to protect yourself and to feel safe. Don't worry about what others say. Survive.
ReplyDeleteThere's a big difference between going on the offensive and protecting yourself. Do whatcha gotta do...and let the chips fall where they may. It's impossible to manage other people's expectations.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, mybabyjohn, Jacqueline: you guys (gals!)are the best. xoT.
ReplyDeleteThose who know you , get you. Those who know you and don't get you, they have got something else going on. Those who don't know you and don't get you, Meh. You are surviving , soon you will be thriving, little green shoots will be coming out of all those involuntarily pruned places, I just know it. Wagons circled, hope abounding, tincture of time prescribed for healing.xoxo
ReplyDeleteNever let those naysayers get to you. "people who haven't faced.." exactly! Either you get it or you haven't been there.
ReplyDeleteMarjorie
perhaps those who have misinterpreted your words have reason to do so...they are reading into it what they are projecting.
ReplyDeleteWe who have been in vulnerable places know what you meant. We who have no ulterior motives truly understand.
xxxooo
I don't do FB for a zillion reasons, so know nothing about this, which is probably just as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm just here for you, baby, in whatever pathetic little manner I can be.
Love, C
We are faced with an epidemic of witlessness. Anyone who failed to grasp how much your circumstances are asking of you is not paying attention or, as mentioned, has another agenda. Personally, as I said, I liked the machete image, whacking the demons down to a more reasonable height. xo
ReplyDelete