What a Shame

by Abigail Bergstrom

You. Yes, you. We’ve had enough of you. We will no longer tolerate you. You, who break us like we’re china dolls. You, who hurt us. You, who make us afraid when we’re alone with you in cabs or outnumbered by you on buses. You, who impose yourself on us. You, who fuck us without our consent. You, who push our legs back. You, who rape, pillage and maim us. You, who pin us up on billboards and in magazines to show us we’re not good enough. You, who shroud us in pain and violence in porn. You, who steal our education from us. You, who tell us we cannot vote. You, who tell us we aren’t women because we weren’t born that way. You, who wedge us into ill-fitting boxes. You, who catcall us on the street. You, who ignore our cries of ‘No!’ You, who put your hands up our skirts on trains. You, who call us sluts and slags and whores. You, who tell us we cannot have abortions. You, who assume ownership over our bodies. You, who mutilate us and throw acid in our faces. You, who kidnap us and hide us away in basements. You, who traffic us and pump us full of drugs. You, who humiliate and shame. You, who create fear. You, who fail. You, who say nothing to defend us in the pub. You, who talk over us in meetings. You, who think we were asking for it. You, who believe women are equal now. You, who watched and waited until we were just drunk enough. You, who beat us to a pulp with your fast fists. You, who slowly and emotionally undo us, piece by piece. You, who think we are weak and vulnerab...