“A people are not defeated until the hearts of its women are on the ground.” – Cheyenne proverb
Despite being officially at peace, after decades of internal unrest and recent wars, thousands of women in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continue to be the targets of cruel atrocities. They are routinely gang-raped, mutilated and/or killed in resurgent warfare and battles for control over rich mining regions. If the women report their ordeals, they often suffer brutal revenge attacks. A law enacted against sexual violence remains ill enforced.
Lest we shrug off as “over there” this experience that is part of our collective humanity, let us be aware that the seeds of misogyny are not dormant on the North American continent. Consider the gang rapes that happen in our own cities as retaliation for the misdeeds of rivals or the pornography industry that produces ever-more degrading materials to satisfy consumer demands. Consider how our media-entertainment culture too often trivializes women, glorifying only their physical aspects. And in how many cities are women targets of assault, simply by walking in the streets?
Could so many acts of violence perpetrated against women eventually defeat humanity? When “the feminine” is denigrated in such intimate and horrific ways, and “the masculine” is expressed in such depraved ways, how can we raise children to live humanely and build sustainable societies of justice and compassion?
If we all consciously and assertively activate respect for the true strengths of both men and women, the difference in outcomes are worlds apart. Let us ensure that humanity is not defeated by brutality rooted in self-interest, greed, and ignorance. Let us learn to perceive and live from the intelligence of the heart.
