Hi there.  :)

I’ve been reading the blogs from the other Satellite cities, and I’ve also been following the debates about the SlutWalks. 

There are a number of great items pointed out, which were unintentionally not thought out thoroughly enough, and there were some assumptions that people had about the nature of these Walks.

I have to plead leniency ahead of time, when it comes to any thoughtlessness or hastiness. Please know that we are new to this (as are most of our sister Satellite cities), and in our enthusiasm to participate in this event that has caught fire all over the world, we’ve overlooked things. Or perhaps we haven’t explained it in a certain way that makes sense to people. Or even we have been ignorant as to how the message comes across to different ethnicities and socioeconomic groups.

We always welcome constructive criticism. It strengthens us, fills in the weak areas, and improves everything. People who are courteous, kind, and thoughtful, are always welcome to talk to us. We want to make sure SlutWalk Minneapolis is as truly a welcoming event as we have written in our Mission Statement.

To that end, I invite you to walk with us. Each and every one of you. These are the people I’m looking for:

• You’re the one who dressed up and put on make up and went out that night. You felt pretty/handsome and you felt sexy. You flirted a little, hooked up with someone, and things went horribly wrong. After the assault/rape, you were told that you “asked” for it by your clothing and your actions. 
• You’re the one who followed the rules. You were careful about your body language, dressed conservatively, and didn’t put yourself into “those” situations. You were hanging out with a friend, when things became awful. Afterwards, you couldn’t understand what you did wrong. You were told that “good girls” don’t have assault/rape happen to them, so you must have done *something* to deserve it.
• You’re the one who is a teen ager, and just exploring your sexuality. After kissing your first person, or making out, or having sex for the first time, you find that this person has labeled you a “slut” and has posted this to his/her Facebook Wall, and on yours. You don’t want to go to school because people call you a slut, and no one talks to you. You feel so alone, and ashamed of your sexual feelings.
• You’re the one who has been in a same sex relationship with someone who pushes you to have sex. You have said “no” before, but your wishes are overridden, and afterwards, you don’t know who to go to. You don’t think the police would have any sympathy, and you are afraid of the reactions of other people. 
• You’re the one in a marriage where sex is expected of you. It’s your “duty” as a husband/wife and you must submit, no matter what, or else you’re viewed as being disobedient. You don’t know if you can talk to your religious leader. Your marriage has become a nightmare of sexual assault/rape when you try to say “no.”
• You’re the one who works in a strip/gentleman’s club. After a night’s work, you are sexually assaulted/raped. You don’t report it, as you are afraid that no one would believe you—after all, it’s a dangerous possibility because of the work you do—and you knew the risks. You’re not the only person this has happened to in your club, and you won’t be the last.
• You’re the one who is a prostitute. You are with a client who won’t take “no, I won’t do that” for an answer, and you are assaulted/raped. You don’t go to the police, because you could be arrested for prostitution. You have lost count of how many assaults/rapes you have endured.
• You’re the one who went to the party near your college campus. You drank, maybe you had a toke, maybe you took a hit of Ecstasy. You weren’t as sober as you wish you could be, or you were high from the drug you’d taken. Someone took advantage of that, and you were sexually assaulted/raped. You are afraid to report it, because you were drunk/high, and you feel that you would be blamed for it. After all, the rape wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t had that drink/drug, would it?
• You’re the one who has held a friend in your arms as s/he told you about his/her sexual assault/rape. You let them cry, let them scream, *BELIEVED* in them. You listened and supported them.
• You’re the one who counsels sexual assault/rape victims. 
• You’re the one who goes to court on behalf of sexual assault/rape victims.
• You’re the one who is fed up with the Rape Culture, the myths of rape, the stereotypes, and the blaming of the victim. You want your voice to be heard.
• You’re the one who has believed the myths of rape, the stereotypes, and has never before questioned the Rape Culture. You are beginning to be disturbed by the double-speak, the blaming, and the impact this has on people you know. You want more information.
• You’re the one who has had enough. You aren’t going to be blamed for what happened to you. You are ready to tell your story, and will encourage your friends, your family, everyone you know, to walk with you.
• You’re the one who’s so scared, and hurt, and fragile. You don’t know if you have it in you to walk, to add your voice. You have days where you wish you could just die. You have days when you wish you were dead. You are trying to get through the next day.

These are some of the people I want to see at the SlutWalk. Sure, we want to take the word “slut” and turn it on its ear. Sure, some of you will come dressed how you please, and drive home the point that it shouldn’t matter *what* you wear, it’s NEVER an excuse to sexually assault/rape ANYONE.

But more to the point, we want people from all walks of life to join us on THIS Walk. One voice alone is good, but add another and another and another and….well, a legion of voices will drown out the teachings and the myths from the Rape Culture. A legion of voices will give support to those who never were believed before. A legion of voices can make people sit up and take notice. Attention MUST be paid.

And damn it—those of us who have been sexually assaulted/raped are NOT the guilty ones.

Walk with us. Add your voice.

I look forward to seeing you at the SlutWalk.

—Kimberia