Wear Red, Sisters. Be Silent No Longer

“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.”

--Audre Lorde, Litany of Survival

By David M. Whettstone
Guest Contributor

Colors for sisters, women of color, are important expressions – demonstrations/affirmations of presence, a part of identity. Today you may notice them wearing red. Read on and you’ll understand why.

Sexual violence is nothing new for women of color in the United States.

It is as old as the continuing history of this country.  Also quite sadly, sexual violence is all too pervasive in our communities. Leaders, but more importantly people – that means everyday folk, everyone – need to do something about it.

Boldness and actions are necessary; it’s a matter of survival and of affirming life. Too often, I – a man – can sense a silence or invisibility from a sister. It is a vibe of sadness. Something has happened in the life of a woman we know that reflects pain, harm, hurt, rape, or wounding. It is initially hidden, unrevealed.

Whatever has happened is so rarely expressed, if at all. Perhaps the opportunity never comes because surroundings or close-by persons are unsafe. Law and policies haven’t yet helped either or have even gotten in the way. The status quo of institutions or communities has been part of the problem too – an overt or covert system invested in violence and the silencing of women.

I for one will wear red, not as a “feel good” public demonstration but as a step toward solidarity and accountability. Hopefully, I will gain more love and wisdom to know how to amplify voices of my sisters,  how to cease doing harm, and when to get out of the way. With integrity the goal is to sit still, listen, and practice truer relationships of mutuality and respect.

Too much is a stake; lives are affected. The lives of women we claim to love. The lives of our mothers, sisters, partners, lovers, elderly, children and women we may meet on any day. Let’s do something purposeful now.

 Documenting the Silence is heading up the effort to wear red.

It aptly states:

Recent events in the United States have moved us to action. Violence against women is sadly, not a new phenomenon in our country or in the world, however, in the last year women of color have experienced brutal forms of violence, torture, rape and injustice which have gone unnoticed, received little to no media coverage, or a limited community response. We are responding to:

• The brutal and inhumane rape, torture, and kidnapping of Megan Williams in Logan, West Virginia who was held by six assailants for a month;     

• Rape survivors in the Dunbar Housing Projects in West Palm Beach, Florida one of whom was forced to perform sexual acts on her own child; and, 

• A 13 year old Native American girl was beaten by two White women and has since been harassed by several men yelling “White Power” outside of her home. 

• Seven Black lesbian girls attempted to stop an attacker and were later charged with aggravated assault and are facing up to 11 year prison sentences.

Documenting the Silence suggests three simple ways to participate on October 31, 2007:

• Wear Red (i.e. ribbons, clothing, clown noses, etc.);

• Read "Out of Silence" Litany at 8:00 pm/central time;

• Take Pictures and/or video and email them at beboldbered [at] gmail [dot] com.

 They state: “After October 31, 2007, we want to ‘flood’ the web with pictures and video of RED.”

Additional references:

Click here to read the Megan Williams interview

Latest related Associated Press story

Dunbar Village - West Palm Beach, Florida

Regarding Native American girl attacked