I just lost the long, rambling post I was working on. Here goes the second try.
I just finished watching a show on the History Channel about a group of mostly western toursits who were taken hostage by a group of rebels in Africa. The tourists were camping out to watch gorillas or some such - I think this was in Uganda. 18 of them were taken from their campsite, 9 made it back alive. One woman survived, after almost being dragged off by the hair by one of the rebel soldiers. The other women who had been taken hostage were separated from their husbands, one was raped, and all were hacked to pieces and left on the jungle floor to rot.
Tonight, Steph's boyfriend Dan apologized to me for the actions of men in general. We were talking about going to the gym at night, and I said that I wouldn't because I wouldn't want to walk home that late at night - that was when he apologized.
My Jujutsu sensei talks a lot about victims and survivors. The hostages were completely helpless before a group of well-armed and organized foot soldiers, but what would have happened if just one of those hostages was something more than the typical tourist? (or tour guide, who was the one who managed to save the woman and talk his way out for the rest of his group). Sensei says that those who cannot defend themselves or their loved ones are useless. I've had a couple drinks tonight, so maybe that's why this is hitting me so hard. But it needs to hit, so to speak.
I will NEVER be a victim. I will continue to learn and work to know how to effectively protect myself and others if need be.
I will use whatever means I have to avoid situations in which I would need to defend myself - talking, buying someone a drink, whatever. I will not panic, I will NOT be cocky. I will use the judgement I know I have, and I will be effective in applying whatever I need to apply.
I'm not fooling myself or anyone else. I'm a petite teenage girl. That's at least 3 things that can make me an easy target, and potentially a victim. Damned if I'm going to let that happen.
Jay, good party tonight. Your roommates are cool.
I just finished watching a show on the History Channel about a group of mostly western toursits who were taken hostage by a group of rebels in Africa. The tourists were camping out to watch gorillas or some such - I think this was in Uganda. 18 of them were taken from their campsite, 9 made it back alive. One woman survived, after almost being dragged off by the hair by one of the rebel soldiers. The other women who had been taken hostage were separated from their husbands, one was raped, and all were hacked to pieces and left on the jungle floor to rot.
Tonight, Steph's boyfriend Dan apologized to me for the actions of men in general. We were talking about going to the gym at night, and I said that I wouldn't because I wouldn't want to walk home that late at night - that was when he apologized.
My Jujutsu sensei talks a lot about victims and survivors. The hostages were completely helpless before a group of well-armed and organized foot soldiers, but what would have happened if just one of those hostages was something more than the typical tourist? (or tour guide, who was the one who managed to save the woman and talk his way out for the rest of his group). Sensei says that those who cannot defend themselves or their loved ones are useless. I've had a couple drinks tonight, so maybe that's why this is hitting me so hard. But it needs to hit, so to speak.
I will NEVER be a victim. I will continue to learn and work to know how to effectively protect myself and others if need be.
I will use whatever means I have to avoid situations in which I would need to defend myself - talking, buying someone a drink, whatever. I will not panic, I will NOT be cocky. I will use the judgement I know I have, and I will be effective in applying whatever I need to apply.
I'm not fooling myself or anyone else. I'm a petite teenage girl. That's at least 3 things that can make me an easy target, and potentially a victim. Damned if I'm going to let that happen.
Jay, good party tonight. Your roommates are cool.
posted by Laura at 2:38:00 AM
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