Unlearning and Reclamation are long processes, which are easier said than done.
Sure, we can pretend that slut culture is going out with your friends late at night wearing short dresses, and flirting with three guys at a time – you know, as a sort of ‘fuck you’ to the patriarchy.
It’s also pretending you don’t see the drunk grown man leering at you from the pavement as you hurry to your car.
It doesn’t matter if you’re twelve. It’s your fault for looking older.
Slut Culture is a boy you’ve never spoken to saying that he wishes he could see you naked. When you confront him, you’re told you’re overreacting.
Slut Culture is daring to go to a friends house wearing shorts and a tee shirt in the peak of summer. You act as if you don’t notice her father staring at you. The next day, her mom tells her that she’s not allowed to hang out with you anymore.
You sit at the dining table, next to a friend of your father’s. After a few drinks, he looks at you for a long time and mutters a few lines from Lolita. It feels like you’re prey, looking around the table with panicked eyes, hoping, praying that somebody notices that something is not right. Nothing happens.
It’s when your boyfriend doesn’t understand why you start crying when he tells you that he loves you for your mind and nothing more.
I’m tired of it all. Tired of the image, tired of the mirage, tired of pretending.
Unlearning and reclamation are easier said than done.