This
poem was first read on the International Women's Day celebration at
Joy
Kogawa House in 2015, by Fiona Tinwei Lam
I want to write a
poem for every girl and woman today
Who has been told
she can't attend school although her brothers can;
Who has had acid
thrown on her dreams;
Who has been shot
in the head for thinking;
Who is forced into
marriage as if her life weren't her own;
Who is bought, who
is sold;
Who weeps or who
can no longer weep
because of the men
who trespass her body;
Who is beaten and
fearful; who is beaten, but fearless;
Who is starved
because she speaks out, speaks back, just speaks;
Whose house is
bombed, whose village is razed;
Who is stoned for
adultery because she is pregnant;
Who is stoned for a
rape that male judges call adultery;
Whose family erases
her, whose community evicts her;
Who has just enough
money for a single egg;
Who carefully
slices that egg for her children to eat;
Who is denied a
single day off work;
Who takes on three
jobs to keep her family off the street;
Who is whipped by
her boss after days without sleep;
Who watches over
our children in manicured playgrounds
while her own grow
up motherless;
Who lies locked for
months alone in a cell;
Who huddles into
herself with eyes like trampled flowers;
Whose mind is
trapped in the shuddering loop of annihilating night;
Who is told she is
nothing when she is everything;
Who is told she is
dirt, when she is the Earth
While
the cast of light emits from the computer screen, an infinite amount of images
are being uploaded, across Canada and all around the world.
At
the same time as families are enhancing last month’s Christmas photo’s, the
empire of sin deluding the internet through pornography, human trafficking and
the mistreatment of others, surges on in the constant streaming of
transgressions.
I
have written prior coverage of this dark matter, as it affects me directly.
The
ones who are giving sexy poses, in reality have had their lives threatened,
been beaten and subjected to depravity. The oooh’s and aaah’s translate to
being objectified, by those clicking on their computer mouse.
My efforts I now use elsewhere. I have come to know that it is
not within my power to condemn; rather help and educate those who do not
believe pornography or human trafficking is their problem.
FORTRESS Foundation
is hosting the critically acclaimed theatrical stage play turned feature length
film, “She Has A Name.” The film’s
screening at the renovated Capitol 6 Theatre, will have the film’s Director
Daniel Kooman and Executive Producer Lance Kadatz, in attendance with a Q &
A session prior to the film being viewed. Tickets are $20 in Advance through
Eventbrite or $25 at the door. The event is being hosted from 6:30pm – 10pm.
As
shared by FORTRESS
Foundation:
We
are non-profit group of social justice advocates fighting for the freedom of
the exploited. We believe the injustice of human trafficking and modern day
slavery will be abolished through a generation of youth with the support of
powerful media production.
The
film, She Has A Name, acquaints the audience with the unfolding story
of two courageous girls violently thrust into unthinkable situations where one
of them escapes and the other hopes to get out.
She
Has A Name impressed critics, while audiences were visually mesmerized, when it
was performed as a play on stage.
She
Has A Name will implore viewers to take action
to bring needed change for the millions of trafficking victims around the world
waiting for help and rescue.
Attend
an intimate and interactive time of networking with leaders in the
anti-exploitation movement from law enforcement, municipal leaders,
governments, social service agencies and empowered citizens. Join us at the
Yates Street Taphouse directly following the screening for the VIP Networking
Gathering. (Limited tickets available)
Movie Trailer for She Has A Name
>>>https://youtu.be/n7kgWjtgWCg
by TL Alton
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