Happy Valentine’s Day ~ Bonne Saint Valentin ~ One Billion Rising ~ V-Day ~ Break The Chain
Of course there’s a place for hearts and flowers and chocolate and mushy love songs, but there are many girls and women around the world who receive none of those. Not on February 14th. Not ever.
Have you raised your voice? “Every February, we rise – in countries across the world – to show our local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face. We rise through dance to express joy and community and celebrate the fact that we have not been defeated by this violence. We rise to show we are determined to create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.”
This year, once again, One Billion Rising is set to escalate RISINGS against all forms of violence against women and will continue to highlight where all these issues interconnect.
Here’s a song we should all add to our repertoire. It too is a song about love. This infectious anthem shares a message that is universal. Share it everywhere you can. Help break the chain of violence towards women and girls. BREAK THE CHAIN.
Click here to see V-day events happening around the world today.
“Like” the Facebook page. Follow V-day on Twitter. Let’s all do our part …
Break the Chain
Lyrics by Tena Clark
Music by Tena Clark/Tim Heintz
I raise my arms to the sky
On my knees I pray
I’m not afraid anymore
I will walk through that door
Walk, dance, rise
Walk, dance, rise
I can see a world where we all live
Safe and free from all oppression
No more rape or incest, or abuse
Women are not a possession
You’ve never owned me, don’t even know me
I’m not invisible, I’m simply wonderful
I feel my heart for the first time racing
I feel alive, I feel so amazing
I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
Its time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
Dance, rise
Dance, rise
In the middle of this madness, we will stand
I know there is a better world
Take your sisters & your brothers by the hand
Reach out to every woman & girl
This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures
I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
It’s time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
Dance Break Inst.
Dance, rise
Dance, rise
Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise (x4)
Dance, rise
Dance, rise
Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise (x4)
This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures
I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
Its time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
(Repeat chorus)
Whilst I applaud the support some women’s groups give to helping women after abuse, rape, invest and so on I can’t help but be concerned with the idea that ‘we’ may be giving in that we imply “all” women are subjected to this. I truly believe this is not true. I recognise that it is needful to shine a spotlight where these things occur. I support the need to ensure all victims receive a voice and the opportunity to see their abusers punished – adequately since this is often not the case.
In this era of vocalising the injustices let’s not become blinded by tunnel vision that we create more problems than we solve
One hopes that the humanitarian approach to all of these injustices is never accomplished through tunnel vision. I give the majority of women more credit than this. We move forward and raise our voices with the best of intentions. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Wonderful empowering post Patricia. Thanks for being a voice for women everywhere.
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Cathleen! We must all raise our voices!