A lovely gal named Kendra apparently sent this to our foundation following a rerun on TLC of my story. It was entitled "A Knife in the Back and Assult is the Same Thing" - I have not edited any of it. You'll see my comments in all caps.
"Dear Liz,
I just saw your story and had to write you.
Like you I was raped when I was 13 (NOTE: I WAS 17), Im now 33 and live with it day after
day searching for a way to understand these mixed emotions and confusion, I
live with. I have tried so many ways to just move on but its almost
impossible because I just dont know who it was and that affects trust alot
because in my mind it could be anyone. THAT'S TERRIBLE AND I AM SO SORRY FOR YOU.
When I heard that your attacker contacted you I was stunned, and in some
ways envious (PLEASE DON'T BE ENVIOUS. IT'S THE WORST POSSIBLE THING TO HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE RAPE ITSELF) to know that he was so remorseful, and lived with guilt of
what he had done showed alot about him and his character. (REALLY? DO YOU KNOW IF THAT REMORSE WAS REAL? DO YOU? HE DIDN'T COOPERATE WITH THE PROSECUTION AND DIDN'T GIVE UP HIS FELLOW RAPISTS - LOTS OF CHARACTER THERE.)
I just cant belive you are so thoughtless and coldhearted, the fact that
you would turn around and stab him in the back like that disgusts me, its
the most horrible thing you could have done , how could you not have any
kind of compassion for his attempt to help you. (THE MOST HORRIBLE? I THINK RAPE IS THE MOST HORRIBLE. I DIDN'T KNOW WE OWE THOSE WHO RAPE US COMPASSION. SHE HERSELF STRUGGLES WITH HER OWN ATTACK, AS SHE SHOULD.)
I know If I had the same oppurturnity I would be so glad, I could fill in
so many blanks, learn who it was, and maybe find out why (YOU NEVER KNOW WHY, AND THERE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A WHY), I might not
forgive him but to know that it wasnt a monster, and that he felt guilt and
shame would help me alot to move on, but because of you, I doubt any guys
will try to reach out to thier victims again. HOW DOES SHE KNOW HER RAPIST ISN'T A MONSTER WHO CONTINUES TO PREY ON OTHERS? JUST THAT HE PREYED ON HER MAKES HIM ONE.
Anyways thanks alot for putting them on notice, I warn you just keep it
hidden, dont ever reach out to your victim no matter how sorry you are,
because it wont get you anywhere but a jail cell! (WHERE THEY BELONG; RAPE IS, ER, UM, A FELONY).
You should be ashamed of yourself, your actions were just as bad as his. REALLY? WOW.
5 comments:
liz,
i still cannot get over that you, the victim, is the one who gets hate mail, while beebe, the rapist, is the one who gets the compassion! absolutely unbelievable!
i'm so sorry that you still have to deal with that shit!
MARIO
OH MY GOD...This woman is psycho.
I have no forgiveness, not a fingernail... not a grain of rice worth for my two rapists- One who stole my child hood while I fought like hell to rebuild my life, only to have it then ripped from me again and turn my world inside out and upside down.
I get shit all the time from my Jesus freak friends that I should forgive them. Ummm... sorry, but NO. As in NO... I do not want to have sex with you at age 7 when I didn't even know what the fuck it was. But I know now that it wasn't sex. It was rape
Liz - I too am so sorry people send you horrid mean spirited mail. I went to college with you and was in the same sorority. I am so sorry you have had to deal with all this crap. I admire the way you have handled a terrible situation.
Mario,
You are an uninformed MORON!If you are an actual person (aka a "man" who has ever had sexual relations with a woman) than you should do your research! Look into things; than empathize!
To Anon, 1/20:
First of all, Happy Inaugural Day to you.
I suppose I don't understand your comment to Mario. He merely posits an opinion that rape victims should not get hate mail while the criminals receive empathy.
How does this make him a "moron" and what sort of research need be done before stating a simple opinion of compassion?
That said, the First Amendment protects comments in the blogosphere (so far). I just think today is a day to come together in peace, harmony and protection of those who have suffered any injustice in life.
Peace,
Post a Comment