If you clicked this link, I'm glad you're here. I'm either about to make your day or piss you off. You see, I don't always write about positive, happy, upbeat topics. Today, I write with the intention to "comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable." Before I begin, let me say that the issues listed below are not "women's issues." They're EVERYONE'S issues, and recently, I have had issues like these put on my heart. I needed to write this, and I'm sure a few of you needed to read it. Let's talk taboo, shall we?

Stop shaming sexual assault survivors (women AND men). According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. If you ask me, that's entirely too many. People should not be afraid to walk alone at night. Wearing a certain type of outfit does not mean someone is "asking for it." Drinking at a party, or being drugged does not mean someone "got what was coming to them." If you or someone you know is dealing with sexual assault or rape, there's a website below that could be very beneficial. Maybe it can help you find the help you seek. In case I wasn't clear, here's an analogy that compares sex to tea. This is quite possibly the best analogy I've seen.

https://www.safehorizon.org/get-help/rape-and-sexu...

Stop shaming women about their monthly cycle. We bleed consistently for multiple days without dying. We're basically immortal. It's natural, and should not be considered shameful, taboo or portrayed in a negative light. PERIOD. That's bad, and so is the fact that there are women below the poverty line who cannot afford the feminine products they so desperately need. My friends in the UNA I Am That Girl chapter are hoping to assist with this issue. This semester, our chapter president is planning to host a drive to help ladies in need, and I am proud to know the wonderful people in this organization. Anyway, the next time someone says something about your period just hit them with a box of tampons.

Stop trying to hold people to specific body standards. Gentlemen, you do not, under any circumstances, have to be a Calvin Klein model. Ladies, You do not, under any circumstances, have to be a Victoria's Secret model. You are all beautiful the way you are. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Basically, just stop shaming. Whatever the topic, whatever the situation, don't be that person that constantly puts other people down for things beyond their control. You are better than that. As a human race, we should be better than that. You don't get to decide how your actions affect others. And, if you're denying that there's a problem, you're probably part of it.