together we are stronger

(image sourced from: Sevenly) 

My story is just an example of what one person can do, but together we are stronger, Collective Shout is only as strong as it’s supporters. 

We have too long been complicit in a culture that teaches boys that it is ok to be aggressive towards women, that they are pieces of meat, sexual service stations, and not whole human beings, but a commodity to be bought and sold. 

One day i might have a son, but even if i don’t i will be in contact with the sons of my friends, sons that belong to people in my community, sons that will grow up to be men. If i’m not paving a pathway and creating a community that is going to teach him how to unravel himself from his sexism, it’s going to be the porn and rape culture that will teach him and condition that sexism into a callous version of masculinity. We all have boys and men in our lives, we all are responsible and can be a voice of change. 

Young people are being ripped off! They are being sold a lie about sex, a lie about their sexuality, a lie about themselves and each other. The long-term consequences are so severe and life altering. The ultimate happiness, love, joy and satisfaction in your relationships now and in the future are at stake! 

If you continue with porn you continue to create a bigger and bigger void between yourself and your partner. Porn will erode the true beauty and intimacy in a relationship. PORN KILLS LOVE.

We are all responsible in the shaping of the world we live in. Silence is the language of complicity, speaking out is the language of change. SO BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. 

http://www.collectiveshout.org

let us then be the change we want to see in the world

we live in a porn saturated culture that is conditioning young boys into a callous version of masculinity, from a young age they are seeing women presented as a commodity, as an object to serve sexual desires and nothing else, this detaches women in their mind from being a human being. We see these ideas portrayed constantly in all forms of media and advertising, through the depiction of women in movies, television shows, video games, lyrics in songs, magazines etc... this is harming the healthy sexual development of boys and is also harming the image and identity that develops in girls. We as a society have the responsibility to protect children, and to do the best we can to create a better world for those who will follow after us. Porn doesn't just harm your own body, mind and soul. It also fuels and supports the sex industry, which is increasingly exploiting children. There is absolutely no need for an economy that has to be built on the exploitation of children. The issue of porn is no longer a "grown ups" topic, this is a child rights issue, this is child abuse and we must act on this!

new beginnings

let us then be lovers of life, step out in courage and take the risk

be the change.

phenomenally woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me. 

Maya Angelou

NEVER doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed! it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

we are the resistance...

Join me in acting personally and politically to resist a culture which, according to current global research, is making us all sick. 

Tomorrow i am incredibly privileged to speak in my first high school as a representative for Collective Shout, to encourage young women - and men-  to challenge sexism and violence in all its forms. I tested out me presentation for the first time last night to my housemate, her boyfriend, and her sister as well. 

I was overwhelmed this morning when i saw he had wrote this on Facebook:

It was within that moment that i realised how much people need to hear this message! The reactions i have had to it has created an urgency within me to get this message out there so more and more people can be positively impacted by it like Bob was. If you are in a highschool, church or community group that wants to hear about how to act personally and politically to resist and challenge a culture that is according to global research making young men and women sick. You can email me at talitha@collectiveshout.org to request a booking.

Together we can all make a change. Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other day. We are the ones we have been waiting for. 

let us then be lovers of life

Being grateful isn't something that always comes naturally to people. Sometimes it is a choice we have to make every morning when we wake up. What are you grateful for today? Verbalising these things can actually completely change your whole outlook, and perspective on life. We live in a world that puts constant pressure on us that what we are isn't good enough, that what we have isn't new enough, that the way we look isn't perfect enough. It's important to take a step back, breathe, look around you and recognise all that we DO have! I think you'll be surprised that you don't actually need as much as you think you do, and that what you've got is more than alright! 

women with dangerous ideas

     

Last night I was incredibly blessed to be in the company of some passionate and inspiring women who are presenting dangerous ideas. Lydia Cacho is an investigative journalist who exposed child sex enslavement and survived to tell the story. And Kajsa Ekis Ekman is a Swedish author and writes on how Surrogacy is Child Trafficking. There are many terrors women face in this world. We need to hear how we as men and women can join together to combat against it. 

read more on them here: 

http://fodi.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/surrogacy

http://m.smh.com.au/world/the-defiant-one-20140818-3dv6y.html

will you flourish in the desert?

Therefore I am now going to allure her, I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of (Trouble) a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the days she came up out of (bondage). “In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ (Hosea 2:14-16)

Lately i have found myself in the midst of this and found those wise words extremely helpful for my situation. I hope that whoever comes across this can also be encouraged.

"I wonder, sometimes, if God doesn’t take that same strategy with us today. Could He be allowing us to go through a desert and even at times lead us there so He can “speak tenderly” to us and show us a new side of Himself? Sometimes God allows us to go through certain deserts as consequences of our sin or some bad decisions we made along the way. But other times, I believe He will lead us through a desert because of how He wants us to experience Him there. What desert might God be allowing you to walk through right now so He can show you a new side of Himself? To make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to see a new side of God and grow closer to Him through your circumstances, remember these three things when the winds of difficulty begin to blow your way: 

1. Seek God’s Favor –Ask God what side of Himself He wants you to see, what characteristic of His He’s waiting to reveal to you, what level of His love He’s wanting you to experience. To seek His favor is to say “I want You to be pleased, Lord, in how I’m handling this. Grow me through it – for your glory!”

2. Surround Yourself with Support – None of us were intended to “go it alone.” Find some women in your church who support you in your faith and can encourage you and hold you accountable during the tough times. Having strong friends to lean on – and who can pray for you – will steer you in the right direction and keep you from becoming bitter. 

3. Sing – regardless of your circumstances. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we’re told “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I’ve paraphrased that verse to read, “In all things, sing…” To sing in our suffering lifts our hearts and keeps us focused on the growth God wants to incorporate in our lives. God will, at times, do what it takes to draw us to His side so we will depend on Him more. Kris and Robert are learning this, and are determined now more than ever to bloom amidst their burdens. Will you flourish in your desert, as well?"

flourishing in the desert

dear heart...take courage

pornography is continuing to erode children's innocence if we don't do something about it.

Almost eight out of 10 young women said pornography had led to pressure on girls to look and act a certain way,

In findings that will add to concerns over the sharing of explicit photographs, 46% of 18-year-olds polled said sending sexual or naked photographs and videos was "part of everyday life for teenagers nowadays".

read more:

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/aug/20/teenagers-internet-pornography-damaging-poll

EASY TIGER: Sydney Bar profits from the sexualisation of women

If we aren't already facing enough bombardment from our media, advertising and culture with the hyper-sexualised images of women, we can now also expect it from our bars and clubs as well. I know this is not a new thing to have women on display to service the needs of men in bars and clubs etc... but they are usually advertised in a certain way to draw a certain clientele ( e.g. strip clubs) 

The new bar in Paddington Easy Tiger is being praised for it's 70's theme that includes nude pictures of women around the place and that "people have been taking advantage of our roller girl services." "so you can take a seat and a roller girl will come and sort your food and drink out"

We are living in a society where women's bodies are continually being used to profit the business of men. Women are viewed as a commodity and this is why it is a problem. When we are continually conditioned to see a woman as a sexual object it has a negative affect in a variety of domains: 

•      Cognitive and emotional health: Sexualisation and objectification undermine a person's   confidence in and comfort with her own body, leading to emotional and self-image problems, such as shame and anxiety. 

•        Mental and physical health: Research links sexualization with three of the most common mental health problems diagnosed in girls and women—eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression or depressed mood.     

•       Sexual development: Research suggests that the sexualization of girls has negative     consequences on girls' ability to develop a healthy sexual self-image.

When we as a society remain silent and complicit about these issues we are contributing to a culture that is intoxicating the spirits of women. I don't know about you but i do not want to be one that contributes to that. Especially when i know that one day i may be brining a girl into this world i want to be able to face her and tell her i have done all i can to make this world a better place for her. At Collective Shout our vision is to end the world of sexploitation. We are a Collective Shout of people who are determined to create a better world for young people, to help heal the beauty sickness young girls and boys are experiencing and challenging the cultural messages that have been spoon fed into us that are making us ill! 

http://collectiveshout.org

https://www.facebook.com/collectiveshout

REDEFINING BEAUTY:

 “This photo shoot is my tribute to all the brave women across the globe who have gone through this gruesome torture."

We live in a society where women are bombard with a one-dimensional version of beauty. Young girls are conditioned from a young age that to be 'hot', 'sexy' and 'attractive' to men is all they are designed for. When we put this pressure on young women we are knocking out of them their ability to focus on things that are more important than their outward appearance. When we see articles like this i wonder what women in Australia think. Would they honestly be able to cope with this being a reality for them? Would they stand in front of a camera and have a photo shoot? The way i see women obsessing over themselves i wonder if they would honestly not want to kill themselves if their outward appearance was damaged. Our society is creating a beauty sickness and what disturbs me the most is that women who have absolutely no defect are depressed and ill because they feel like they're not "pretty" enough. pretty enough for who? for what reason?? Is there not so much more to life than tying to achieve an attractive outward appearance?? This article is truly inspiring and i cannot even fathom what this would be like to experience, the excruciating pain of it and the absolutely inhumane experience of it all. Yet these brave women are rising above it all and being a voice of hope to all the other women in the world who are at the hand of horrific torture. 

below is the link to the article and an opportunity to help stop acid attacks:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/indian-acid-attack-victims-pose-for-fashion-shoot/story-fnixw28f-1227024771654?nk=f5d1232a851c675db9012dd89b1651c8

let go of fear and love yourself as the person you are. what i think, therefore i am

a collective shout for a world that is free

WE MUST DO SOMETHING!!!!! 

The repercussions of girls growing up believing this and this becoming their lives is detrimental to the progression of our society! please understand the impact we are all having on the lives of young people. We must break away from what our society has made us believe about worth and beauty as a woman. A girl is more than her body parts. She is not defined by how "hot" she is or how may clothes she has, or what size she fits in to. We must overcome our own insecurities and be strong for the girls who have no guidance and help against a society that convinces them they are never good enough!!!! 

“Girls aren’t born hating their bodies. They aren’t born hating their lives. Something was happening that was poisoning girls’ spirits.”

“Problems such as eating disorders and self-harm, which once had been extremely rare, were now happening in every classroom and every street. But more than this, the average girl was stressed and depressed in a way we hadn’t seen before," - Steve Biddulph 

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/parenting/steve-biddulph-a-call-to-arms-for-girls-1.1890356