An Artist and Survivor Joins Lady Gaga on Stage at the Oscars
I am back stage at the Oscars. Let me repeat that, because it is truly, truly crazy: I am backstage at the Oscars. I'm not here to dance or sing. I'm certainly not here to accept an award for a film. I am here as a survivor of rape and I'm here with 50 other survivors of sexual assault. We are here to stand on stage with Lady Gaga as she performs "Til It Happens to You" from "The Hunting Ground."
We are in rows, holding hands. This weekend has been electric. I am looking down at my arm, where bold letters read "SURVIVOR." I think about all that survivor means for myself and this amazing crowd of people. Survivor. I'm a survivor of rape. But that's not all I am a survivor of. I'm a survivor of being bullied by the female cop that I reported my rape to. This female cop sighed, annoyed by me, and said "Why didn't you report sooner?. Her tone said what she wouldn't say to me directly: that this, obviously, was my fault and that I was dumb. I'm a survivor of being told "that will teach you to go to parties." I'm a survivor of betrayal. The person that I thought was my best friend, who I loved deeply and thought truly understood me, remained friends with my rapist and cut me out of her life entirely. I am staring at my arm, thinking about all that survivor means, when I hear Vice President Joe Biden come on stage.
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We are in rows, holding hands. This weekend has been electric. I am looking down at my arm, where bold letters read "SURVIVOR." I think about all that survivor means for myself and this amazing crowd of people. Survivor. I'm a survivor of rape. But that's not all I am a survivor of. I'm a survivor of being bullied by the female cop that I reported my rape to. This female cop sighed, annoyed by me, and said "Why didn't you report sooner?. Her tone said what she wouldn't say to me directly: that this, obviously, was my fault and that I was dumb. I'm a survivor of being told "that will teach you to go to parties." I'm a survivor of betrayal. The person that I thought was my best friend, who I loved deeply and thought truly understood me, remained friends with my rapist and cut me out of her life entirely. I am staring at my arm, thinking about all that survivor means, when I hear Vice President Joe Biden come on stage.
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