I genuinely feel like I’ve become depressed again from learning about the discrimination women face worldwide. Seeing commenters victim blame or downplay the problem, even claiming misogyny isn’t real or that it’s deserved. Constant news stories. Constant news stories of rape, murder, femicide, domestic abuse, trafficking, reproductive exploitation, harassment, medical discrimination. I genuinely shake and cry when I’ve seen too much.
I’ve always struggled with my mental health to the point I don’t get out of bed. It’s getting bad again and I just doom scroll. For hours. My whole feed is this stuff. My family says to ignore it, it’s just the news. My obsession is unhealthy. I feel like I truly can’t ignore it. Knowing other women and girls suffer as much as they do. Knowing my own friends are victims and continue to become victims of SA. I don’t know how to cope with it. Even outside of my phone I don’t feel I’ve escaped it. The catcalling is constant. Men older than my father. Every. Time. I. Go. Outside. (I’m 18.) Male friends and family making comments that make you realize they view women differently. My mother telling me to cover up more in the hellishly hot summer. Seeing men say hateful things or deny the existence of misogyny. Hearing debate over the rights to our wombs. Every little thing seems to crush me. I feel as though I will always be viewed as subhuman. I feel as though I have no control.