This year, for the month of April, I will be wearing red lipstick every single day. This is not about vanity. It is part of a campaign called Red My Lips that celebrates sexual assault awareness month. They encourage their participants, or warriors, to wear red lipstick everyday for the entirety of the month. Not only does it start a conversation, it changes the conversation!
The mission of Red My Lips is to raise awareness about sexual assault but also to speak out against victim-blaming. Their website busts rape myths, such as “rapists are strangers lurking in alleyways”– typically, an assault occurs with someone you already know. They go in depth on what it means for a behavior to constitute sexual violence. Their website talks about the dangers of teaching women to prevent themselves from getting raped, and turns the idea on its head to teach people about respect and affirmative consent.
“We prefer to define consent based on what it is, instead of what it’s not. Consent is an enthusiastic and ongoing “YES!” Consent must be given freely, without coercion, intimidation, or threats.”
My college experience thus far has been a rollercoaster of amazing memories and rough times; of joy and sadness; of growth and pain; of love and heartbreak. Putting yourself out there for others can help you put yourself first. As I hope to continue my personal growth, I hope that this red lips challenge will encourage me to put more time into myself at the beginning of each day. This will benefit my confidence, self-esteem and self-respect. And a little bit of lipstick has always helped me!
I am so excited, and have already purchased my lipstick! I went with the Tarte “Tarteist Lip Paint” in the “extra” shade (no surprise there). Considering I have very chapped lips, I also made myself a daily lip scrub consisting of brown sugar and coconut oil. And at night, I can easily remove the lipstick with vaseline.
I may not be a victim of extreme sexual violence. However, I know how it feels to be harrassed, uncomfortable and victim-blamed. I am a woman pursuing empowerment not just for myself but for the women I surround myself with. I will be wearing “extra” red lipstick to stand in solidarity with anyone who has felt belittled. It’s time to make a little noise without moving our lips– just coloring them!
Check out my personal fundraising page and follow my journey! And, if you’re so inclined, join me and Red Your Lips!
*all photos are from the Red My Lips website with the exception of the lipstick photo that was taken by Annie Kate Raglow.