On Thursday, April 22, 2018, we were a small part of a large tribe coming together to speak against abuse and gun violence by way of reading “Natural Shocks” by Lauren Gunderson, directed by Daniel Nadon. Below is a note that I wrote for our audience. I offer it to the greater social media world as we near the end of this nationwide event. May we continue on!
Victim. This is not a word I like. It is certainly not a word that I want to be associated with nor a word used to label me. Yet here I stand, in a world that has systematically abused, exploited, and suppressed the feminine. A world that has abused, exploited, and suppressed me. As much as it pains me to say it, I am a victim. Hearing this outloud makes me want to stuff this spoken word deep down into the pit of my stomach, bury it and scream instead, “I am a warrior!” I am a warrior. But I am also a victim, no matter how far down I bury it. We femmes are all victims. But we are also all warriors. We can be both.
Lauren and I have had many long phone conversations and even more long emails discussing the plight of us femmes. When Lauren sent me this script in its early drafts, I was deeply moved. She had succeeded in creating a profound story of the Victim-Warrior. I have been lucky enough to live with this piece for the past few months and be a part of Lauren’s drafting process. I am now lucky to share it with all of you as I explore my Victim-Warrior voice. If you are so moved, I hope you find a way to embrace your Victim-Warrior as well.
Tosha Fowler, Actress/Educator/Creator