56. Photograph: Write a story or journal entry influenced by a photograph you see online or in a magazine.
https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/
Wait, What Challenge?
What is challenging about taking a selfie and posting it online?
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve posted mine. But how many of the black and white “Challenge Accepted” Instagram photos you’ve seen in the last few days really say anything?
There is nothing challenging about putting a selfie on Instagram and writing some feel-good words about the women we love. It is just that: feel-good. It’s nice to see.
It’s not a challenge.
The Challenge is Facing Reality: Femicide
Why are these photos in black and white? It stems from a practice in Turkish media of publishing black and white photos of murder victims.
The rate of femicide in Turkey, according to an article published in the Guardian, is shockingly high.
Most of these women have been murdered by a close male relative or acquaintance (husband, father, ex-boyfriend). Several individual, community and societal factors contribute to this high rate of femicide and violence against women.
This Problem Isn’t Just in Turkey
It might be easy for someone reading this in Europe or North America to think that this isn’t a problem here.
That is absolutely wrong.
According to the UN, rates of violence against women and girls have increased the world over since the beginning of the pandemic.
This isn’t just happening in Turkey, or in some other faraway country.
It’s happening in your home town.
A New Challenge
I’m no influencer. No celebrity. I’ve jumped on the bandwagon and participated in these largely meaningless “challenges” before (anyone remember the black square from a couple months ago?).
But I do have this modest platform, and so I am challenging all the strong, beautiful, intelligent and wonderful women I know and love who read this to take action.
Donate to your local women’s shelter. Take food. Do some research into your area. Volunteer (where it’s safe, what with covid and all).
Also, if you buy frequently on Amazon, consider shopping at smile.amazon.com. There are hundreds of charities listed through smile.amazon and you can choose from national to local groups to support. Each time you purchase on through the smile.amazon url, a portion of your purchase is donated to the charity you select.
But Don’t Forget the Pics
I do love seeing the photos of the women I know and love.
Please keep ’em coming!
I’m just asking we add substance to the feel-good nature of the exercise.
