Sophie Walshe, UK
Where have I been?
I'm sixteen and standing on the stage at trilogy was the first time I didn't feel alone. I did not feel like the minority. I had strength, we had strength.
My journey has only just begun. But I already feel I've been a long way.
I met boys. I met girls. I met women and men.I was laughed at.And once they'd stopped laughing what did people say.. "women are naturally subserveant" "we have equality" "crazy libralism" "bitch" "shave your gash" "stop making things up" "women enjoy rape"
The boys..They called me misguidedThey called stupidThey called me lostThey called loadThey called me meanThey called me bullyThey called me irrational and offensiveThey called me a teaseand finallyThey call me gash.They told me to be quite.
The girls..some had no words.hardly any have held my hand.not one of my age has spoken out.when I want to scream.They've been robbed and none of them know it.They're blind and they have no rage.They were scared
The men..Some saw me,some helped me,some were strongto most I'm background,a girl.
The women..some were sad...they carried onsome were still blind girls in the darkness some engulfed in lifethey forgot, but the preasure on them was immense.
My Mother, she is strong, she is intelligent, she is my idol. She gave me strength through the world of ignorance in which I visit everyday, at school, in magazines, everywhere.
Where are we going?
When I stood holding hands with those women, I cried. I realised all anger, sadness and emotion over not just the way I'd been treated but by the way all women have, and still are being treated. We were all one, and if we can retain that structure as one then we can reach a better world. We can. And we should. And I already set off for there and I don't care how long it takes me and if I happen to see any of those boys on the ways I'll have to speak the ignorant language they understand and tell them to fuck off. That's what I deal with on a day to day basis now but I know chlanges will get bigger, but I think I can do that, because I don't feel alone anymore.
