Poor Rilla's had a tough week. Before we get to see some of those headlines, we ahve a guest journalist all the way from Canada...none other than the talented TinaLouise88. We love her addition to our journalistic roster, and hope you do too. Alinya & McFishie
CBC Canadian News for Canadians
Lilianne Britton, Twitter: CPC-Lilianne
February XX, 2014
Young Women of Canada are standing up for Equality.
What started off as a small discussion in a classroom in Winnipeg Manitoba is now a nationwide movement. Young women are joining together to fight the war on the double standards that women face.
What began as an innocent discussion in social studies for the grade 11 students at Kelvin High School about the media circus that faces our Miss Blythe in London, has grown into a movement. A movement that has women standing up the blatant sexism that has turned Miss Blythe's world upside down.
It began at Christmas, when an ex lover came out of the woodwork that sent Rilla Blythe into a whirlwind of media frenzy. While the media has had mixed reviews on Miss Blythe's past, majority of them are negative
The media was shaming Rilla for her sexual past. A trend that despite it being 2014 is still a prevalent in today's culture. Instagram posts, Snapchat rants spread over the high schools in Winnipeg, spreading province to province. Social media spreading their message as they fight the injustice they face every day.
"It's insane that in this day and age, us girls still have to deal with the sexism. If they're not policing our outfits, they are criticizing our choices. Our relationships are gossiped about, whispered about in locker rooms." Laurel Macdonald tells us, a grade 11 student Kelvin High school. "If we don't date, we're mocked or pitied. If we date but hold moral standards, we're called prudes. If we decide to have a sexual relationship with someone, then we are sluts. There is no situation that we can win at."
"Nothing has changed from our parents time in high school. Girls are constantly shamed for the things the guys are high fived for." Zoe Campbell, a grade 10 student at Kelvin High school tells us.
"What message is it sending to our fellow classmates? That they can take and spread intimate photos of people without any repercussions?" asked Brooklyn Kerr, a fellow student
"I sometimes see her sister around the city( Winnipeg), sometimes I just want to tell her that we're on Rilla's side, that she has people behind her. I don't, because I don't want to invade her privacy. But I can only assume that she knows by now." added Brooklyn.r
A new revolution?
Across the country, young women are shouting from the rooftops, in support of Rilla Blythe. Gatherings andassemblies about how sexism effects to mental health, led by students, are popping up within schools. Today in a private school in Toronto, young women spoke about their experiences, followed by research of today's facts.
How sexism affects your life, your work and you metal well-being.
Did you know that:
Young women aged 16-30 who experience sexism were over 5 times more likely to have clinical depression than young women who had not had this experience, compared to their older counterparts who are only 2.4 times likely to have depression
Sexism for a long time was disregarded so women may have felt their feelings were also disregarded or not handled accordingly.
Women aged 16-30 experience greater rates of sexism than those aged 31-93 at school or work (13.7 percent vs 10.8 percent), on public transport (42.2 percent vs 38.1 percent), in taxis (20.5 percent vs 13.6 percent) and outside on the street (81.9 percent vs 74.8 percent).
Young women aged 16-24 are more likely to experience street harassment compared to 25-30 year olds (84.2 percent vs 79.1 percent), and the street is the most common setting where sexism is reported.
The silence is deafening
It was afternoon when the photographs of Miss Rilla private residence in stages of undress taken from various windows. Phone chiming with the latest news. Hushed voices as they all stared in disbelief, rumbling of the unfairness.
Total disregard to her identity and person. A direct violation of privacy that would make anyone shiver from the injustice.
This summit turned out was about much more than sexism. The social injustice, the blatant disregard of personal privacy.
One voice spoke up, and then another. Stories of similar nature that were steeped in revenge and bitterness. The sinking sadness that accompanies these events that you cannot control. The lossof your own self of person in these times.
One young woman brought it full circle,
"If the tables were turned. If Princess Persis was dating a common boy they wouldn't be using long lens camera's trying to get nude photos of him. It's deplorable, because Rilla is a woman, a young woman they think they can invade her privacy because she's a woman. Just because she's dating a prince, doesn't mean she asked for this. If Rilla was a man, they wouldn't stalk her and do these despicable things."
"This isn't going away."
Voices of young Canadian women.
"Sometimes it seems like no one has her back, and one day we decided we would have her back. Now we have it more then ever. "
"Can you imagine having the whole world talk about your past relationships and hook ups? I see girls barely able to walk down the hall with their heads held high from rumours. How is this healthy?
"Women have sex. We like sex! We should not be ashamed of our sexuality!"
"Rilla is someone who all of us girls can look up. She's smart, and appears to be a kind and good person. We want her to know that we stand behind her. We are Team Rilla! Because no one should be allowed to judge your past relationship, no one should be able to go on television and spill private things for fifteen minutes of fame. No one should be able to post private photos without your consent. "
Adults always tell us if we want to make a change, we have to be the change. So we are standing up for Rilla, for ourselves. For all the social injustices that women go through! Something needs to give, something needs to change!"
"Adults don't always realize how frightening it can be to be a teenager in this time of social media. How it can used to retaliate, hurt and harm us. One photo to the boyfriend could be sent around the locker room. To have photo's taken of you without your knowledge in such a fragile setting. It's crossing lines of consent and heartbreaking."
Update February XX 2014 18:36
Sources say that the Palace jumped in to help Miss Blythe who was caught in frightening mob of Paparazzi this afternoon after the photos were posted.
While sources say that the Royal family was caught off guard with the events of today, They are willing to reassess the situation. One can only hope that the Palace moves towards positive outlook with regard to Miss Blythe's safety.