It's mind-blowing, that so many men and women across the globe are using the hashtag #MeToo to speak out against rape, sexual assault, and molestation. Men and women everywhere are sharing their stories. It turns out these sexual violations are not committed only by strangers, but family members, babysitters, close friends, as well as those in power.

But what does this say about the world we live in? It screams of an accepted rape culture. It wreaks of victim-blaming and it speaks of unwarranted lies. Lies that convince those that they were at fault, lies that intrude on one’s psyche, lies that keep assailants free while the assaulted drown in the misery of their silence.

Dr. Maya Angelou stated, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Well, it seems agony has lost her way. The truth is facing places of pain hurts, literally. Fear and shame bind up where freedom is meant to ring. Society says you're weak if you speak. But that is not so! There is power in vulnerability. There is strength in weakness.

Stand with those who would rather forget, stand with those who are numb, stand with those who are speechless, stand for humanity, stand for justice, stand for her, stand for him and … #MeToo.

Angel Chapple

Writing since October 2017 · 1 story contributed