How Our Voices Are Weapons Against Patriarchal Violence

Too many girls are introduced to womanhood through legacies of misogynistic violence. They see their mothers abused and violated by the men they love. As they grow older, they become the recipient of harassment, assault, and objectification.

Because this cycle of patriarchy has been turned into cultural identity through institutions of family and religion, women are taught to be complacent, silent, welcoming.

In response to this generational trauma, Tonya Ingram and Venessa Marco perform this powerful poem addressing the resilience that happens when women assert themselves. They remind women that they are more than insults or tools to provide some man a sense of pleasure or power.

They remind women that their voices are the weapons that can fight and conquer systemic and cultural oppression.



Please read the following Everyday Feminism articles to learn more about interrupting cycles of oppression:

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Tonya Ingram is a poet, writer and performer. She is the 2011 New York Knicks Poetry Slam champion, a member and co-founder of NYU’s poetry slam team, a member of the 2011 Urban Word – NYC team and the 2013 Nuyorican Grand Slam Team. She is the author of “Growl and Snare”. Please follow her on twitter at @TonyaSIngram.

Venessa Marco is an African Caribbean writer by way of Cuba and Puerto Rico. She has recently moved from Los Angeles, California to Harlem, New York. Marco is currently pursuing her PhD in English. She was a member of the 2012 Da Poetry Lounge slam team and the 2013 Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Please follow her on twitter @marco_venessa.

Video courtesy of Button Poetry. For more amazing spoken word performances, check them out on YouTube and Facebook.

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