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“A dream you dream alone is only a dream; a dream you dream together is reality.” — Yoko Ono
“In my heart, I think a woman has two choices: either she’s a feminist or a masochist.” –Gloria Steinem
May
18
Beyond Rape
Filed Under media, race and racism, rape and sexual assault, violence against women and girls | Posted by Cara |
Towards the beginning of this month, Cleveland newspaper The Plain Dealer published a 5-part series called Beyond Rape: A Survivor’s Journey. It’s written by journalist named Joanna Connors who was raped while on assignment for the newspaper in 1984. It tells her story, and partially, that of her rapist. It also tells a too-common tale of race and class.
I’ve just gotten around to reading it, and I recommend that you go do the same. With the exception of a few obnoxious sidebars, probably not Connors’ fault, it’s a wonderful package, beautifully written and painfully honest. Hers isn’t the most common rape story. Her rapist was a stranger, he was prosecuted and given a very lengthy prison sentence. Though it’s annoying and somewhat dangerous that the tales of particularly violent stranger rape are the only ones that seem to get any real press time, Connors’ story does still deserve to be heard.
Connors admits to being terrified to tell her story. I can imagine that she was. She’s a remarkably brave woman (certainly much braver than I). And I’m glad that she’s out there.
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“Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.” — Susan B. Anthony
I read that story, and I feel the same anguish and fear she felt since I am also a rape survivor.
I’m glad she told her story. Fuck that asshole, I’m glad he died of cancer. I hope he suffered immensely. I hope he burns in hell.
Its just a shame that his daddy, the pimp who started this monstrous family didnt also get to suffer the same fate.
This is an incredible, incredible article. Thanks for sharing it, Cara.