One sabbath, I wore my highest heels to church. Well, I did that most sabbath but, this particular sabbath, I was stopped.
Walking into the sanctuary, a man felt the need to stop me and ask:
"This your shoe, if them shout war now, how you go take run?"
I shied away in all my high heeled socially awkward glory and walked into the building.
But every time I think of that moment, I wish I had asked him:
Have you ever had to leave your home with,
-let's see what we have here-
Taser
Pepper spray
Swiss knife
Rusted key
UV light
Whistle
Light
This thing my dad got me that screeches obnoxiously loud when you press it
*Laugh*
You ever realize you are probably more armed than a Chicago PD officer in full terror gear
And it'll probably never be enough?
Have you ever had to use an umbrella as a fucking sword?
Spin your purse like nunchucks?
Jab a car key like a knife?
Throw your heels like they're hatchets?
Have you ever been followed for five blocks (and then an entire summer) by a man who thinks "you got a sharp mouth for an 18 year old"?
Have you ever had to beg a stranger for refuge?
Have you ever had to flee your own home?
Have you ever had to flee the club?
Have you ever had to flee your preferred mode of transportation?
Sweetie, I've ran so much that if they did shout war right this moment I'd be just fine.
But I still do want to know, though.
Have you ever been made acutely aware that you're not safe even in God's house?
for Uwa