the hurt is not exceptional

“When one thinks about women’s ordinary lives and the lives of children, especially female children, it is very hard not to think that one is looking at atrocity—if one’s eyes are open. We have to accept that we are looking at ordinary life; the hurt is not exceptional; rather it is systemic and it is real. Our culture accepts it, defends it, punishes us for resisting it. The hurt, the pushing down, the sexualized cruelty are intended; they are not accidents or mistakes.” ~Andrea Dworkin

Painting by Elisabeth Slettnes