Emma White: A Woman’s Perspective
“Look at this adorable girl. I can’t wait to see how she develops when she gets older.”
She was just 10.
“Do you think she’ll still be this cute when she’s of age?”
She was merely 8.
The boy seated behind her managed to unhook her training bra beneath her shirt. The teacher was aware yet chose to remain silent.
She was 12.
Every girl transforms into a woman. Each woman was once a girl who felt the sting of objectification, treated as an entity to be claimed, sexualized before they even grasped what that meant. Every woman learns to be vigilant, to select clothing that prioritizes safety, and to defuse situations with men who feel entitled to their bodies and personal space.
I am a woman—alive, thoughtful, and powerful—yet I have often been made to feel powerless by men eager to assert dominance over me. I feel let down. I feel rage.
I am also an artist. In August of 2017, I came to understand that wallowing in anger wouldn’t bring about change. Instead, by harnessing my skills and vision, I could spark a dialogue that might lead to something larger.
This film comprises a series of vignettes, portraying real instances of harassment and assault that I or women close to me have faced. It’s not exhaustive—there wouldn’t be enough time for that—but I hope it serves as a beginning.
We are women. We are mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, lovers, friends, partners, and creators.
We are people with sovereignty over our own bodies.
It’s time to transform our world for the better, starting with educating the men in our lives as we strive to protect, empower, and amplify the voices of women around us.
Mark Johnson: A Man’s Perspective
In 1999, I was involved in a devastating car accident.
Someone ran a stop sign, totaling my vintage car. The police arrived, ensured everyone was unharmed, documented statements, and checked licenses. It was then that I discovered my license was suspended due to an unpaid ticket.
As a first-time offender, the officers could have issued a $75 fine and a court summons—the minimum penalty for this violation. Instead, I was sentenced to five days at Rikers Island.
Rikers Island houses ten distinct jails. Actual cells are reserved for the most violent offenders; the majority of Rikers is dormitory-style, crammed with hundreds of cots placed inches apart in a massive room.
I found myself in such a dormitory. Shortly after lights out on my first night, I was jolted awake by the unmistakable sounds of sexual activity. In that instant, a wave of horrifying realizations hit me:
This was not consensual.
New arrivals are often prime targets.
If I were attacked, I could retaliate, but…
Any confrontation would only extend my sentence.
Faced with these circumstances, I felt powerless to prevent myself from becoming a victim of sexual assault. I would have to endure this fear throughout my incarceration while trying not to exude the very scent of fear that predators are drawn to.
MEN: This is what it’s like to be a woman, every single day.
- To live in constant fear for your safety.
- To question whether strangers harbor violent intentions.
- To understand that defending yourself could worsen your situation.
- To wonder if those you trust may be capable of sexual violence.
- To confront threats of assault online simply for speaking out.
Men, you will never fully comprehend the fear that women live with daily. The pressing question is: WHAT WILL YOU DO TO HELP END IT?
Start by watching this short film. Empathy is essential for transforming the world.
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In summary, the experiences conveyed highlight the pervasive fear and objectification that women face, often from a young age. Through creative expression, we can begin to spark necessary conversations about empowerment and safety for women everywhere.