
Contributions From Our Community
Celebrating the empowering creative expression of our inclusive intersectional community.
Take Back The Night
dusty van
by Soph Galustian
​
Poem performed at the Virtual Vigil
I explore the street, nervously.
My key rest between my fingers, purposefully.
My knuckles turn white as I clench so tight.
I consider ordering a taxi that I can’t afford
To safely deliver me to my front door.
But then I panic, what if the driver likes me?
I just want to get home safely
I hear footsteps behind me
I clench my fist and grip the key
Tighter
Ready to apply self-defence.
My legs started to shake; my shoulders were tense.
A woman minding her business overtook me
As she innocently walked her dog.
She vanished into the night as she started to jog.
I desperately wanted her to return.
I wanted her to sense my concern
Of being a woman
Alone in this night.
It was snowing but strangely, sweat formed on my forehead
Why did walking home alone fill me with such dread?
Because men have made us feel unsafe in society.
They’ve filled us with self-doubt and anxiety.
As they shout out of their dusty vans about
where they’d like to put their hands.
If you ignore them, you’re ungrateful.
If you sleep with them, you’re shameful.
We’re called a ‘bitch’ for being assertive
And we’re called ‘cute’ for being nervous.
And it’ll still somehow be our fault
On the receiving end of this assault.
For a man to confirm his masculinity
We must highlight our societal given ‘stupidity’
Deprive ourselves of our strong femininity.
We’re seen as heavenly if we still have our virginity.
We’re only good for cooking and cleaning.
We must only speak when spoken to, no intervening.
I know I speak
for women as a collective
this week
we’ve felt pain and anger for our sister
my heart aches for those that’ll miss her
Being a woman is mostly being misunderstood.
We’re confused for weak, for no good,
Despite being able to grow life
We must stay at home and be a good wife
We must not forget that we have a lower social stature than a man.
We cannot achieve half of what he can.
We’re weak in the body and in the mind
Like he can see, and we are blind.
We’ve got no backbone we’re too kind
And if we’re strong, we’re unrefined.
So, get back in your lane
It’s no place for a woman.
Life is a man’s game.
We are not equal, and we are not the same.
If we’re silent then we’re still the ones to blame.
“Maybe your skirt was too short?” he said.
“I mean...you could have said no?”
“You could have fought?”
“You must have led him on”
“Once you came around, he’d already gone.”
“That’s convenient. She’s probably lying”.
“Attention seeking. Fake crying.”
Even when we wear brightly coloured shoes
And we don’t touch a sip of booze
We’re alert and sensible
But men still choose
To murder us.
But still #notallmen don’t make a fuss
We know it’s safer to say nothing
And conform to your gender role.
To not be too ambitious and certainly don’t have goals
Because these men hate progression.
They want us to drown amidst our oppression
It’s time for times to start changing.
This world can be ours for the taking.
Don’t let them win
Don’t give in
We can’t rewrite history, but we can create herstory
Enough is enough of the patriarchy, let’s introduce diversity
Universally
Daughter, auntie, niece, nanna and mother
we’re united as one. we are the other
we’ll fight together, one another
No amount of violence
will have us silenced
we are force to be reckoned with
let’s show what we can give
and it stands
She has the world,
in the palm
of her
pretty
little
hands.
dusty van
by Soph Galustian
​
Poem performed at the Virtual Vigil
I explore the street, nervously.
My key rest between my fingers, purposefully.
My knuckles turn white as I clench so tight.
I consider ordering a taxi that I can’t afford
To safely deliver me to my front door.
But then I panic, what if the driver likes me?
I just want to get home safely
I hear footsteps behind me
I clench my fist and grip the key
Tighter
Ready to apply self-defence.
My legs started to shake; my shoulders were tense.
A woman minding her business overtook me
As she innocently walked her dog.
She vanished into the night as she started to jog.
I desperately wanted her to return.
I wanted her to sense my concern
Of being a woman
Alone in this night.
It was snowing but strangely, sweat formed on my forehead
Why did walking home alone fill me with such dread?
Because men have made us feel unsafe in society.
They’ve filled us with self-doubt and anxiety.
As they shout out of their dusty vans about
where they’d like to put their hands.
If you ignore them, you’re ungrateful.
If you sleep with them, you’re shameful.
We’re called a ‘bitch’ for being assertive
And we’re called ‘cute’ for being nervous.
And it’ll still somehow be our fault
On the receiving end of this assault.
For a man to confirm his masculinity
We must highlight our societal given ‘stupidity’
Deprive ourselves of our strong femininity.
We’re seen as heavenly if we still have our virginity.
We’re only good for cooking and cleaning.
We must only speak when spoken to, no intervening.
I know I speak
for women as a collective
this week
we’ve felt pain and anger for our sister
my heart aches for those that’ll miss her
Being a woman is mostly being misunderstood.
We’re confused for weak, for no good,
Despite being able to grow life
We must stay at home and be a good wife
We must not forget that we have a lower social stature than a man.
We cannot achieve half of what he can.
We’re weak in the body and in the mind
Like he can see, and we are blind.
We’ve got no backbone we’re too kind
And if we’re strong, we’re unrefined.
So, get back in your lane
It’s no place for a woman.
Life is a man’s game.
We are not equal, and we are not the same.
If we’re silent then we’re still the ones to blame.
“Maybe your skirt was too short?” he said.
“I mean...you could have said no?”
“You could have fought?”
“You must have led him on”
“Once you came around, he’d already gone.”
“That’s convenient. She’s probably lying”.
“Attention seeking. Fake crying.”
Even when we wear brightly coloured shoes
And we don’t touch a sip of booze
We’re alert and sensible
But men still choose
To murder us.
But still #notallmen don’t make a fuss
We know it’s safer to say nothing
And conform to your gender role.
To not be too ambitious and certainly don’t have goals
Because these men hate progression.
They want us to drown amidst our oppression
It’s time for times to start changing.
This world can be ours for the taking.
Don’t let them win
Don’t give in
We can’t rewrite history, but we can create herstory
Enough is enough of the patriarchy, let’s introduce diversity
Universally
Daughter, auntie, niece, nanna and mother
we’re united as one. we are the other
we’ll fight together, one another
No amount of violence
will have us silenced
we are force to be reckoned with
let’s show what we can give
and it stands
She has the world,
in the palm
of her
pretty
little
hands.
dusty van
by Soph Galustian
​
Poem performed at the Virtual Vigil
I explore the street, nervously.
My key rest between my fingers, purposefully.
My knuckles turn white as I clench so tight.
I consider ordering a taxi that I can’t afford
To safely deliver me to my front door.
But then I panic, what if the driver likes me?
I just want to get home safely
I hear footsteps behind me
I clench my fist and grip the key
Tighter
Ready to apply self-defence.
My legs started to shake; my shoulders were tense.
A woman minding her business overtook me
As she innocently walked her dog.
She vanished into the night as she started to jog.
I desperately wanted her to return.
I wanted her to sense my concern
Of being a woman
Alone in this night.
It was snowing but strangely, sweat formed on my forehead
Why did walking home alone fill me with such dread?
Because men have made us feel unsafe in society.
They’ve filled us with self-doubt and anxiety.
As they shout out of their dusty vans about
where they’d like to put their hands.
If you ignore them, you’re ungrateful.
If you sleep with them, you’re shameful.
We’re called a ‘bitch’ for being assertive
And we’re called ‘cute’ for being nervous.
And it’ll still somehow be our fault
On the receiving end of this assault.
For a man to confirm his masculinity
We must highlight our societal given ‘stupidity’
Deprive ourselves of our strong femininity.
We’re seen as heavenly if we still have our virginity.
We’re only good for cooking and cleaning.
We must only speak when spoken to, no intervening.
I know I speak
for women as a collective
this week
we’ve felt pain and anger for our sister
my heart aches for those that’ll miss her
Being a woman is mostly being misunderstood.
We’re confused for weak, for no good,
Despite being able to grow life
We must stay at home and be a good wife
We must not forget that we have a lower social stature than a man.
We cannot achieve half of what he can.
We’re weak in the body and in the mind
Like he can see, and we are blind.
We’ve got no backbone we’re too kind
And if we’re strong, we’re unrefined.
So, get back in your lane
It’s no place for a woman.
Life is a man’s game.
We are not equal, and we are not the same.
If we’re silent then we’re still the ones to blame.
“Maybe your skirt was too short?” he said.
“I mean...you could have said no?”
“You could have fought?”
“You must have led him on”
“Once you came around, he’d already gone.”
“That’s convenient. She’s probably lying”.
“Attention seeking. Fake crying.”
Even when we wear brightly coloured shoes
And we don’t touch a sip of booze
We’re alert and sensible
But men still choose
To murder us.
But still #notallmen don’t make a fuss
We know it’s safer to say nothing
And conform to your gender role.
To not be too ambitious and certainly don’t have goals
Because these men hate progression.
They want us to drown amidst our oppression
It’s time for times to start changing.
This world can be ours for the taking.
Don’t let them win
Don’t give in
We can’t rewrite history, but we can create herstory
Enough is enough of the patriarchy, let’s introduce diversity
Universally
Daughter, auntie, niece, nanna and mother
we’re united as one. we are the other
we’ll fight together, one another
No amount of violence
will have us silenced
we are force to be reckoned with
let’s show what we can give
and it stands
She has the world,
in the palm
of her
pretty
little
hands.
dusty van
by Soph Galustian
​
Poem performed at the Virtual Vigil
I explore the street, nervously.
My key rest between my fingers, purposefully.
My knuckles turn white as I clench so tight.
I consider ordering a taxi that I can’t afford
To safely deliver me to my front door.
But then I panic, what if the driver likes me?
I just want to get home safely
I hear footsteps behind me
I clench my fist and grip the key
Tighter
Ready to apply self-defence.
My legs started to shake; my shoulders were tense.
A woman minding her business overtook me
As she innocently walked her dog.
She vanished into the night as she started to jog.
I desperately wanted her to return.
I wanted her to sense my concern
Of being a woman
Alone in this night.
It was snowing but strangely, sweat formed on my forehead
Why did walking home alone fill me with such dread?
Because men have made us feel unsafe in society.
They’ve filled us with self-doubt and anxiety.
As they shout out of their dusty vans about
where they’d like to put their hands.
If you ignore them, you’re ungrateful.
If you sleep with them, you’re shameful.
We’re called a ‘bitch’ for being assertive
And we’re called ‘cute’ for being nervous.
And it’ll still somehow be our fault
On the receiving end of this assault.
For a man to confirm his masculinity
We must highlight our societal given ‘stupidity’
Deprive ourselves of our strong femininity.
We’re seen as heavenly if we still have our virginity.
We’re only good for cooking and cleaning.
We must only speak when spoken to, no intervening.
I know I speak
for women as a collective
this week
we’ve felt pain and anger for our sister
my heart aches for those that’ll miss her
Being a woman is mostly being misunderstood.
We’re confused for weak, for no good,
Despite being able to grow life
We must stay at home and be a good wife
We must not forget that we have a lower social stature than a man.
We cannot achieve half of what he can.
We’re weak in the body and in the mind
Like he can see, and we are blind.
We’ve got no backbone we’re too kind
And if we’re strong, we’re unrefined.
So, get back in your lane
It’s no place for a woman.
Life is a man’s game.
We are not equal, and we are not the same.
If we’re silent then we’re still the ones to blame.
“Maybe your skirt was too short?” he said.
“I mean...you could have said no?”
“You could have fought?”
“You must have led him on”
“Once you came around, he’d already gone.”
“That’s convenient. She’s probably lying”.
“Attention seeking. Fake crying.”
Even when we wear brightly coloured shoes
And we don’t touch a sip of booze
We’re alert and sensible
But men still choose
To murder us.
But still #notallmen don’t make a fuss
We know it’s safer to say nothing
And conform to your gender role.
To not be too ambitious and certainly don’t have goals
Because these men hate progression.
They want us to drown amidst our oppression
It’s time for times to start changing.
This world can be ours for the taking.
Don’t let them win
Don’t give in
We can’t rewrite history, but we can create herstory
Enough is enough of the patriarchy, let’s introduce diversity
Universally
Daughter, auntie, niece, nanna and mother
we’re united as one. we are the other
we’ll fight together, one another
No amount of violence
will have us silenced
we are force to be reckoned with
let’s show what we can give
and it stands
She has the world,
in the palm
of her
pretty
little
hands.
dusty van
by Soph Galustian
​
Poem performed at the Virtual Vigil
I explore the street, nervously.
My key rest between my fingers, purposefully.
My knuckles turn white as I clench so tight.
I consider ordering a taxi that I can’t afford
To safely deliver me to my front door.
But then I panic, what if the driver likes me?
I just want to get home safely
I hear footsteps behind me
I clench my fist and grip the key
Tighter
Ready to apply self-defence.
My legs started to shake; my shoulders were tense.
A woman minding her business overtook me
As she innocently walked her dog.
She vanished into the night as she started to jog.
I desperately wanted her to return.
I wanted her to sense my concern
Of being a woman
Alone in this night.
It was snowing but strangely, sweat formed on my forehead
Why did walking home alone fill me with such dread?
Because men have made us feel unsafe in society.
They’ve filled us with self-doubt and anxiety.
As they shout out of their dusty vans about
where they’d like to put their hands.
If you ignore them, you’re ungrateful.
If you sleep with them, you’re shameful.
We’re called a ‘bitch’ for being assertive
And we’re called ‘cute’ for being nervous.
And it’ll still somehow be our fault
On the receiving end of this assault.
For a man to confirm his masculinity
We must highlight our societal given ‘stupidity’
Deprive ourselves of our strong femininity.
We’re seen as heavenly if we still have our virginity.
We’re only good for cooking and cleaning.
We must only speak when spoken to, no intervening.
I know I speak
for women as a collective
this week
we’ve felt pain and anger for our sister
my heart aches for those that’ll miss her
Being a woman is mostly being misunderstood.
We’re confused for weak, for no good,
Despite being able to grow life
We must stay at home and be a good wife
We must not forget that we have a lower social stature than a man.
We cannot achieve half of what he can.
We’re weak in the body and in the mind
Like he can see, and we are blind.
We’ve got no backbone we’re too kind
And if we’re strong, we’re unrefined.
So, get back in your lane
It’s no place for a woman.
Life is a man’s game.
We are not equal, and we are not the same.
If we’re silent then we’re still the ones to blame.
“Maybe your skirt was too short?” he said.
“I mean...you could have said no?”
“You could have fought?”
“You must have led him on”
“Once you came around, he’d already gone.”
“That’s convenient. She’s probably lying”.
“Attention seeking. Fake crying.”
Even when we wear brightly coloured shoes
And we don’t touch a sip of booze
We’re alert and sensible
But men still choose
To murder us.
But still #notallmen don’t make a fuss
We know it’s safer to say nothing
And conform to your gender role.
To not be too ambitious and certainly don’t have goals
Because these men hate progression.
They want us to drown amidst our oppression
It’s time for times to start changing.
This world can be ours for the taking.
Don’t let them win
Don’t give in
We can’t rewrite history, but we can create herstory
Enough is enough of the patriarchy, let’s introduce diversity
Universally
Daughter, auntie, niece, nanna and mother
we’re united as one. we are the other
we’ll fight together, one another
No amount of violence
will have us silenced
we are force to be reckoned with
let’s show what we can give
and it stands
She has the world,
in the palm
of her
pretty
little
hands.

'Take Back the Night' poster painted on cardboard by Ava Peralta - Age 16
International Women’s Day 2021



































