October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is also the same month in which Breast Cancer Awareness is celebrated, advertised and put on public display. However, breast cancer always overshadows the survivors of domestic violence. The media and celebrities put all of their efforts toward this cause while leaving domestic violence in the background with little mention.
I’m a woman and yes my ta ta’s are very important, as I am a survivor of cancer. But I am also a survivor of domestic violence. Is a woman’s safety better yet her life not important? Are celebrities survivors ignoring the fact that they were once a victim silently being battered at the hands of the abusers? One out of four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
On April 23, 2010, Kim Kardashian opened up about being a victim of domestic violence from her ex- husband, Damon Thomas. However, NOT once has she acknowledged such an epidemic, she did tweet about how she was overly excited with having 10 million plus followers.
Why not use Twitter to raise awareness about domestic violence as well as breast cancer? With that number of followers, I am sure at least 1% (1,000,000) of them have first-hand knowledge about domestic violence, either as a victim, witness, or even as a perpetrator. Your ‘voice’ and ‘status’ could be the wake-up call an individual needs to remove themselves from their violent relationship.
Rhianna, Kim Kardshian, Stacey Dash, Juanita Bynum, Chris Brown, Christina Applegate, and Christina Aguilera… We do not HEAR you! Where is YOUR voice? Why aren’t you raising awareness about domestic violence? I’m not asking you to make it your life’s mission but at least make an effort to educate, empower, and enlighten those who “follow” you about an issue that not only made you a better, stronger, wiser person but because you MADE IT OUT ALIVE! Some victims never did and some never will but prayerfully by following you and the efforts from grassroots organizations such as my nonprofit, Touching Heart, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, A New Me Foundation, Saving Promise, and the Pixel Project, among many others, they will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Any of your experiences could be an eye opener for victims; if you could overcome the abuse, they can too. Through all of our collective efforts is the only way we will wipe-out this issue. Domestic violence affects EVERYONE!
Raise YOUR voice!
Support Domestic Violence!
Be silent NO MORE!
Related posts:
- DV in the News: Supermodel Legend Beverly Johnson
- In Her Heels: Be You
- In Her Heels: The Making of a Leader
Posted by Brooks J. Young • 0 CommentsFiled under Blog, DV in the News, In Her Heels, Ministry, Musings
Brooks J. Young is the Executive Director of Touching Heart. She is also the founder & publisher of Victorious Magazine, host of Victorious Voice Radio Show, and also serves as a motivational speaker. Brooks is currently writing her memoir, Where God Took My Soul
