Perhaps it is true that our lives become meaningless when we decide to be silent about things that matter. PHOTO: FREERANGE STOCK

The silence that kills us

They say “women are weak”, “a woman can’t fight” but I’ve never seen something as delicate as a man’s ego.

Aleema Latif September 16, 2018
Perhaps it isn’t the discomfort of the narrow streets which makes liberty unbearable for us,

It isn’t the sharp scents of sweat which disgust us,

It isn’t the crowd which suffocates us,

In fact, it isn’t the noise, the crowd or the obvious lack of quality in products,

It’s the silence.

 

The unsaid hush when I turn to speak up to the unwanted hands up my clothes,

The constant background whistles of frustrated middle-aged men,

It’s the toxic masculinity which suffocates us,

The vulnerability when your body turns into a canvas,

Painted by obnoxious stares,

Held by unholy hands.

 

It’s the desensitisation, the normalisation, the silence,

The echoes of shameless name calling,

The constant reiteration of the male privilege,

Step by step,

Minute by minute,

Street by street,

Market by market.

 

They say “women are weak”, “a woman can’t fight” but I’ve never seen something as delicate as a man’s ego,

How the hush stems from protecting “ghar ki izzat” (family’s honour),

How speaking up can somehow taint their dignity,

How the world turns to fire when it hears the truth,

How it is more shameful to be groped than to grope.

 

Perhaps it is true that our lives become meaningless when we decide to be silent about things that matter,

It’s then when silence kills us.
WRITTEN BY:
Aleema Latif The author is a student from LGS Defence with a keen interest in writing and reading. She tweets @AleemaLatif (https://twitter.com/AleemaLatif?s=03)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (1)

Sam Chughtai | 5 years ago | Reply Well done girl! This is one savage truth of our society and I am glad you did not choose to be silent about it. Keep writing!
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