SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

SILENCE HEARD ON THE VOICE by (me!) sandra, tvgp

-because it would feel neglectful, if I didn't write this before moving forward:

it is the kind of thing - a type of loud silence -  i'm sure only fellow rape survivors can hear

and I hear it very loudly on the voice.  the television show currently popular  -which I LOVE!  where contestants compete to win $$ and title of "the voice"   -worlds best singing voice of a given year

and, we,

the audience,

we don't only listen and watch the actual competitive performances  -but we also get to watch little mini bio's of the singers..   brief histories of when they first started singing..   a little about where they come from, geographically speaking, and a little about their families..   and quite often, we learn, in these mini bio's..  of any major traumas they have, or are currently facing

examples being: poverty; cancers; bullies; domestic abuse; drugs;  early, unplanned pregnancies; rejection; betrayals, abandonment; unemployment; natural disasters, like fires, floods..    etc.   and in many cases, we learn either the contestant themselves, or a family member or treasured friend..     someone has had to conquer a major battle.      -but, if we know, 1 out 4   (or whatever the current stat is..)  but if we know, 1 out of every 4,

or 1 out of every 6..  

girls or boys are survivors of  sexual assault/abuse; rape..

and we do the simple math:    how many contestants on the voice, over how many years/seasons..

and yet..   perhaps I haven't watched every. single. episode.

but I have watched many..    and, despite what I know statistically

not once have I heard that sexual abuse/assault; rape was the trauma a contestant, or their family member/friend, had to endure/survive/battle

the voice/the bio's on the voice, is only one example, of what continues to be a cultural trend

that loud silence...

that screams

what is, and what is not okay to talk about.


and, it is not a conscious effort, I understand, for entire cultures/populations to conspire with predators, and further fuel the unjustified shame factor on innocent victims

but, conscious or not; that IS THE RESULT

to be silent is to conspire with, support, and aid predators.   and they would like to thank you.

I would like to wake you up.


also, I admire/thank/appreciate Joyce Meyer's here..   when I re-realize she is in her early 70's, and how if going back...

to consider the climate, cultural climate, when she spoke of the incest she survived..  to an international, religious and secular television and live audience..

my God!  that took some levels of bravery few women/men ever exercise.   Wow!!

"Thank You Joyce and Thank You Jesus!"..  Amen & amen.

posted by SHE @ 12:35 PM