Julia
Thanks VERY much for sharing your story
Times have changed and I doubt very much that a name like "the gorilla pit" would be allowed now. But if you don't think that's a kind of power, you're fooling yourself.
Yes, well times have changed quite a lot. Among other things, I cannot imagine (since I lived through that time also) that a black man would have competitively run for president way back then... right?
And yes, times have move on as regards other issues as well. At that time, child abuse was rarely mentioned and seldom noticed. And at that time, spousal abuse was also seldom a topic.
Times have moved on. And it is not a disrespect of your story to request that we focus on the situation we face today.
Finally, to be honest, I don't think it's possible to "convince someone to give up power over you." People in power aren't inclined to do that. You have to make your own power, so that you can find or build an environment that has other values. And I've done my best to do that.
I agree that people cannot be convinced to give up their power.
Given that reality, how would you propose we change the current situation to change this power equation?
And I agree that people have to make their own power. And what I proposed is that girls and young women should be actively schooled on doing so by their parents.
Let us suppose for a moment that you were now 21 years old, but even so had made the same life choices that have come to you through the years (dress the same way, have the same concern for your appearance) Do you think that would remove you from the marriage market? DO you think that would diminish your professional prospects?
