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In this day and age, it seems that people want to be heard more than ever. Whether it is in the form of national rallies or letters to your local congressmen, people are speaking out. It could be the media talking at us constantly, but I believe more voices are coming forward, more courage is being displayed, and more change is happening. The #MeToo hashtag movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault was waged in 2017. And what a shock it was. It hit far too close to home, reminding me of a familiar story: the one of me nine years prior. The one where a man turned my world on its head and stripped me of everything I once knew. The one where this man violated me in the worst way by using force and power to violently rape me. I decided in late 2017 that it was time for my story to become known to the masses. The moment those words hit the paper, I never looked back. "Beads" inspires courage, strength, and perseverance. Its mission is to keep the conversation about ending sexual violence going, providing hope to all survivors and those that know them. If I can help just one person reach the other side of pain and grief, my mission will be accomplished.
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Read North Carolina Literary Review’s coverage of Beads here!
“June 29, 2008 made me a victim. Over the past decade, I made myself a survivor. It’s not something I would wish on anyone, but, damn, am I thankful for what I learned and for where I am now: on the other side.”
