No Shame on the Red Carpet

While I am proud that I wrote a book, I wish I didn’t have to write this book. I would trade the author title and two-minutes on the red carpet for an adolescence and much of my adulthood free from the weight of repressed shame, low self-esteem and feeling unsafe in my own body.

Then I remember why I wrote this book. I wrote this book to let parents know they can protect their daughters. I wrote this book to let the other mom survivors out there know that they are not alone and that they can heal. I wrote this book for the girls and women, for the boys and the men—for everyone to know that part of preventing future injustices is by breaking the shame cycle and speaking up.  I wish there were no more abuses to write about, but the fact of the matter remains we still have a long way to go.

When I learn about another tragic story of abuse, I remind myself of what has changed both globally and nationally since Tarana Burke first launched the #Metoo movement back in 2006.

In the last year, sexual assault centers and crisis hotlines received a record number of calls. More people are speaking up. The courage of so many named and unnamed survivors to speak up has directly led to the conviction of many sexual predators, raised awareness and caused us to have those difficult conversations.

This is why I will put on that fancy dress and get up on that red carpet.  I will celebrate all of us who dare to tell our story and all those who are willing to listen.

Kind regards,

Sally Clark
Author