....you are not alone

Artist: Octavia Wright of  Art by Taye

Have you ever just felt like you are left in a world of crime and delusion all by yourself? No one understands your thoughts and your fears. You feel that you cannot trust anyone, and you are suspicious of everyone. Why? You have been made to feel that you do not matter…no one cares…so you retreat inside of yourself and suffer in silence.

Alice Walker’s The Color Purple (1982) tells the story of Celie Harris Johnson. Readers of the novel and viewers of the movie are shared a brief portion of Celie’s childhood. I often wonder, does anyone ever ask themselves, “Why is the story told through letters? Why doesn’t Celie talk to people…only God?”

Think back to after the birth of Celie’s daughter, Olivia. Her stepfather told her, “You better not never tell nobody but God; it’ll kill yo momma” (Walker, 1982). He instilled that fear in Celie. He made her feel that everything that was happening was her fault, and if her Momma ever knew about these things, she would die from hurt and disappointment in Celie. Thus, Celie suffered in silence—she was sexually molested; she endured physical, emotional, and mental violence from the hands and mouths of her stepfather, “Pa” and her husband, “Mister”.  

How many Celie’s do you know?

Domestic Violence Statistics (2011) reports,

• Every 9 seconds in the United States, a woman is assaulted or beaten.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

• Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.

• Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

• Every day in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

• Ninety-two percent of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top concern.

Can anybody hear them? Their whispers? Their cries? Can you sense the pleading in their eyes through the black and blue tattoos by a fist artist? “Help me,” they say!

To all the Celie’s of the world, Diamond’s House, Inc  hears you! Diamond’s House has answered, “Until violence stops, Diamond’s House will be there to offer SHELTER and HOPE!”

On August 13, 2011, Diamond’s House will start its STOP THE VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN with a kickoff awareness, resource, and support event to be held at Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum,206 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia  23704 from 1:00PM—3:00PM. This is a free event.

Companies and individuals can help this campaign by sponsoring your business or yourself with your logo advertised for a donation of $25. All donations go towards the STOP THE VIOLENCE campaign. Registrations and donations can be made online using EventBrite or you may contact Diamond’s House directly:

Phone: (757) 535-0924; email: DiamondHouse01@gmail.com; website: www.diamondshouse.org; or mail: Diamond’s House Inc.—P.O. Box 7697, Portsmouth, VA 23707.

Let’s fight the good fight TOGETHER to break the silence and stop the violence! You are not alone!

“Like a flower, bloom into the beauty of you…petal by petal. Break the silence! You are a precious gem. Stop the violence”. ~Diamond’s House~

Diamond’s House is an all volunteer organization and a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with the IRS. All donations are tax deductible under the federal law.

Erin Adams-Phillips ©2010. Erin’s Echo. All rights reserved.