13 Comments

Brilliantly written, heartbreaking piece. I am so sorry for every iteration of unfairness and mistreatment you endured. Thank you for sharing this truth.

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I'll never forget this. Hoping your story will help others 🤎

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This is a profoundly disturbing and achingly sad post. Thank you for putting yourself out there, as uncomfortable as it must have been for you, and trying to promote a better understanding of you and your motivations for doing what you do. I cannot fathom how someone is able to inflict that kind of violence on anyone, let alone the woman you're supposed to care about (and for). You've been far more generous in regards to your attacker than I think most people would be, and if Karma is real, you've gotten yourself quite an upgrade in your next life. Again thank you for sharing, if we're going to make it through this as a species, we've got to forge connection and move forward together.

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Thank you for writing this. I’m one of of many who have faced a similar, but less severe version of this abuse from both a partner and then had family and friends who didn’t want to believe that he could be abusive. It’s such a huge betrayal on top of a betrayal. Yet so many of us still don’t want revenge or punishment, we want the abuse to stop, and we know nothing the CJS does will prevent it. It takes so much strength to still have hope and compassion despite being harmed so much, and to keep fighting for ourselves and those who hurt us. You are a candle in the darkness and I hope you know how appreciated you are.

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Thank you. Thank You. Thank You.

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Thank you for this piece, I recently witness domestic abuse with my mother and the system is somewhat protecting her, but also neglected and harmed her. Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope you have the protection and love you deserve.

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All I can say is thank you for sharing! Great piece. And good on you for overcoming that devistating experience!

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Thank you so much for sharing. You are such a brilliant, empathetic, fantastic human. May your story help others who have gone through similar things, and even more, help us all help one another-especially Black women, so you don’t all have to share your trauma to elicit our sympathy and understanding and garner our support. Sending you so much love, respect, and support. 💙

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Profound read. It really resonated with me, and I thank you for that. ❤️

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Thank you.

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“..all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” You are a blessing. I appreciate you sharing and using your gifts to fight for justice. There is never any justification for the abuse of our black queens. Keep fighting the good fight your reach is growing.🙏🏾

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Powerful and necessary.

Starts with the most missed point about abolition, ends with the reality which makes the phrase “protect Black women” a rallying cry for ongoing justice.

The hearts & minds it changes will be moved eternally.

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This was phenomenally written, Olay. I am so heartbroken to read your story but I thank you so much for sharing and elaborating on the assumed conundrum of fervent abolitionists who have experienced intimate partner violence.

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