ed note: (this post is a little different from the usual posts we do)
I had a very moving experience recently when one of the survivors on this site created some powerful art against domestic violence. Judy is a talented singer and performer that I know from attending some blues Jam’s at a local club. She opened up and told her story as 1:4 #12 on this blog. At the time she chose to do the post anonymously for reasons in the post. She has come to believe that one way to change the domestic violence culture is to step out into the light and share her experience and work against it more publicly. Part of that belief is in sharing her art. Judy and her band wrote the powerful song below, and performed it for the very first time in public at her CD release party for their first CD! Now, to be clear , this song wasn’t on the CD, however the band plans to record it at some point in the future. Anyways, Judy announced on Facebook that she was going to announce something at her CD release party that had not many people knew about. Judy asked me to come to the show to hear the song. I was 10 feet away when she told just a little about the song and how being on this blog helped inspire her to creat the art and come forward. I could tell she was hesitant… but she did it. Then they played the song below. I was blown away by 1) her bravery 2) the song and 3) the idea that we can make art that makes a real difference. I may have choked up and had some dust in my eye.
“He Hit Her”
He hit her,
he hit her with looks, they pierced her skin like razors and sharp little hooks.
He hit her,
he hit her with words,
She turns away hoping nobody else had heard.
Why, does he mistreat her?
Why, doesn’t he care for her?
He hit her,
he hit her with fists,
in the very same place that five minutes ago he had kissed.
He hit her,
he hit her with force.
She reasons he love her but he knows no remorse.
Why, does he mistreat her?
Why, doesn’t he care for her?
He hit her,
he hit her to the ground,
She prays no one saw as she looks around.
He hit her,
he hit her again,
she cowers and prays her pain will come to an end.
Why, does he mistreat her?
Why, doesn’t he care for her?
She shot him,
she shot him down.
After all it was her neck his hands were wrapped around.
She shot him,
she shot him to live.
The only thing she had left was her soul to give.
Why, does he mistreat her?
Why, doesn’t he care for her?
Why, does he mistreat her?
Why, doesn’t he care for her?
He hit her……..
Seems wrong to put a “like”. But for the woman lifting her voice! High five, prayers and best wishes đŸ˜‰