I’m Tired Of Living In A Man’s World
By Priya Jain
I’m tired of living in a man’s world.
At 14, I became aware of my body when a man grabbed my ass in Europe.
At 19, I told a boy I wanted to take things slow, so he pushed me into a bookshelf and called me a tease.
At 21, I had a boy literally stalk me at a club. When my friend finally intervened, we were kicked out and deemed as causing a scene.
At 22, I had just lost my virginity and was dating a boy I thought I loved. He proceeded to try something sexual that hurt me, so I asked him to stop. He didn’t. Instead, he told me he’s seen it in porn and asked me why I couldn’t live that porn lifestyle.
At 22, I had just broken up with said boy. I proceeded to get black out drunk to the point where I literally could not move and yet this asshole decided to have sex with me. I don’t remember it, but he claims I liked it.
At 23, I casually told the boy I was dating I boxed and could take him, so he pinned me to the ground and my head started to bleed. Three and a half years later and I still have a scar to prove it, because yes I would need evidence if I ever wanted to pursue justice.
At 24, I was drunk and waiting for a friend to let me in. My uber driver waited with me. He then mentioned how big my boobs were and proceeded to grab and honk them. I filed a complaint with uber. They did nothing.
At 25, I was drugged, and you do the math.
At 26, I was making out with a guy at a club. He proceeded to put his hand down my shirt. I pulled away and asked him to stop. He didn’t. Instead, he kept kissing me, muffling my sounds; his hands kept grabbing me in all the wrong places. When I finally pulled away, he yelled and called me a tease. He claimed I was flaunting myself and that he could tell I wanted it.
As women we are embarrassed to talk about our struggles, and when we do we are deemed as irresponsible, reckless, and wanting it.
I have a voice and deserve to be heard.
And to the men in my life, talk to me or someone you know about our experiences. I’m willing to talk, I just need a reason to be heard.