Understanding Betrayal - Rape, Childhood Sexual Violence, and Incest 2020 BLACK PODCASTI

I struggled to find the least destructive words to tell my son of our shared paternityA child of rape or child of incest.Support the show

This podcast took a lot out of me to produce as I became enraged reading the number of times that I saw politicians, leaders of anti-abortion groups, and religious groups proclaim a 10 year girl should be forced to have a child conceived by rape or incest.How is it possible that these young girls' bodies, minds, and their hopes, dreams and futures be sacrificed because some man decided he had the right to rape her.Why should they be reduced to collateral damage for the righteous of the anti-abortion movementSupport the show

GreetingsThis second episode of my Roe v Wade the New Jane Crow discusses the abortion exception bans for those impregnanted by rape and incest.  It provides the history of the American Legal Institute a nonpartisan group of lawyers, scholars, and judges that proposed a broader group of exceptions which included - threaten  health of the mother, certain fetal abnormalities, and rape and incestYet, since the overturn of Roe v Wade many states have outright ban these exceptions and others have imposed arduous challenges via reporting processes and time lines for abortions. The question, I keep asking is what happened to this country, where is our compassion, how is that the unborn has more rights then those victimized by rape and incest.I hope you enjoy this episodetheresa

In 2013 I found an article discussing the New Jane Crow - "it is a system of laws in which pregnant women are treated as an underclass, in which pregnant women lose virtually every other right by virtue of being pregnant."The punitive laws and bans states are attempting to install as the result of the overturn of Roe v Wade are based on not only banning abortion but controlling the lives of women, young girls, medical staff who work with women, and those who help women seek an abortion, role in voters rights, and the powerful of the unborn fetus while limiting the rights and concerns of its mother, family, and communityThis podcast series will be eye openerI ask you follow this series and please subscribethankstheresa

Greetings All,First want to apologize for the delay in producing this podcast.  I've been  busy - I'm getting married next week and needed time to digest the righteous vitriol spewing as result of the  overturn of Roe v Wade.First the good news, me at closing in on 74 years old is marrying my junior and high school friend. I've been divorced since 1999 and never ever thought I would remarry.  For the first time in my life I feel safe, protected and loved.   I've enjoyed every minute of shopping for rings, dress, shoes, and sharing the good news. Now for the ugly, the overturn of Rape v Wade.  I wasn't surprised.  I've lived long enough to watch and experience the benefits of Supreme Court rulings- Brown v Education and Civil Rights (voting and  the knocking down of State's Rights  a nice way of talking about the heinous Jim Crowism) and watch the slowing take away of our rights because somehow we folks got Uppity.  We failed to remain in  “our lanes” of being less then.  But the overturn of Roe v Wade is more then just the rights to abortion - it's about  mostly religious  groups who believe their God is better then ours, trying to impose  their beliefs, telling us how to raise our children, who we can love and marry on everyone else. They want to limit contraceptions,  politicians are arguing queuing up to say a 12 or 14 year girl who is raped or victimized by incest  must give birth to her baby, limit access to pregnant women with proven medical complications for her and the unborn child, they now have ethic panels  intervening at the most vulnerable point in parents lives if they must go forward with prefetch that jeopardizes roe life of the mother or force her to carry a child that medically proven the child will die soon after birth, as one woman described it she felt like a walking coffin as she carried her deceased in the womb unborn,  and now in some states the unborn has more rights then the mother, parents, and family it would be born into.They are talking about ending same sex relationships and marriages.  Let's not forget about investigation parents of trans children and force removal of medical careIt is time, we who refuse to be controlled to stand upThe next 8 podcasts will talk about ways to stand up, Be safe Theresa 

Greetings AllOf all the episodes I've done this was the hardestWhy, because I finally talked in details of what the challenges are raising a child born of incest and rape.I've talked about it and around it but never in such details.Even stranger, i singled handily proclaimed myself the Face of Roe v WadeI hope you enjoy this podcastthankstheresa

Greetings, this was a difficult podcast for me to produceAs I was finalizing my Journey to Healing program, once again, for six week I dealt with this nagging sense  that my mother, the woman who gave birth to me, was dying.   She died last week and I don't know how to grieve.I hadn't seen or spoken to her since 2007. I spent two long hurtful weeks in 2007 with her. She was in early stages of Alzheimer's yet she was still controlling, lethal,  and master of manipulation.I hadn't seen in at least 10 years prior to the  painful 2007 debacleI'm 73 years old and the most intimate one on one time I spent with her was the 10-11 hours she was in labor with me. If I combine  all the minutes, hours,  days, weeks, and months of my 73 years  together, the most we spent 3 years of pure hell, of constantly being reminded she abandoned, rejected, and bragging that she never changed my diapers or feed me.How do I grieve for a woman who  the one and only time time she had to sign a permission slip for me to go on a filed trip, ask me how did I spell Theresa with a H or EHow do I grieve for a woman who as a small child I craved for her to look at me, to comb my hair, to touch me, to kiss me to do the things I saw my friend's mothers do.  I wanted  her to know my favorite cookies were oatmeal raisin, my favorite color was blue, and praise me for being in a gifted program at  small.  For the first 14 years of my life we lived with 3 blocks of each other and  we ignored each other.  I stop calling her Mama by the age of 9, she was just Jeri, a woman I refused to speak to.How do I grieve for a woman who had no problem rejecting me, who would when speaking of her daughters she would tell me, not you, she only considered two younger sisters as her daughters.As I child I longed for her, to see, her, to have her touch, hold, kiss or even acknowledge me in some form of kindness. At best she grunted at meThere is no pain greater  than  living your entire life as a Motherless Child.It makes you doubt everything about yourself. What was so wrong with me that own mother didn't want me.This is a woman who handed me over to my father, a pedophile. This  man  screwed or attempted to screw   four Willard girls and women.  He  married the eldest, attempted to rape the middle sister, had transactional  sex with my 14 year old mother for a coat, and at 14 he began raping me.  She willingly handed me over to him to do with me as he pleased.The results, he raped me for 3.5 years and impregnated me with my eldest son.How am I grieving, I'm not, all I feel is numbness 

Greetings All,I started this podcast series two years ago, terrified that no one would listen to what I had to say or found it valuable.Boy, was I wrong, two years later I have this wonderful supportive international audience,  I recognized the need to build an educated audience on the history of epidemic levels of childhood sexual violence and rape in our communities.Why race, culture, religion, gender, and sexual orientations must be addressed  not only in breaking the silence the majority of us has endured but the foundations on how we learn how to heal.It has taken me a year to develop and trademark  the course contents, modules, charts, and graphics.    What was supposed to be a 2 weeks to develop and publish, according to the online course platform, it took me  6 weeks.Here is the online link for your review and hopefully enroll http://journey-to-healing3.teachable.com/ The extra time was a gift, as it allowed me time to understand the importance of building a program that is supportive, encouraging, and build a safe environment in which you can succeed.As you listen to this podcast you will understand my dedication, respect  and appreciation I have for each of you who listened to me over the past two years.

Yeah!!! January 18 will open pre-enrollment for those loyal listeners for the Journey to Healing Life Coaching

Greetings, it's been a while since I last released the  podcast, Journey to Healingwhile I was off line I spent the past 3 months finalizing all the details to enable all of you to take a journey to healingPlease enjoy this podcast and I appreciate each of youtheresa

Greetings All,  For the past 48 years as a nation and worldwide we've been actively locked down along political and religious lines as folks debate Roe v Wade.  Think how many Federal Supreme nominees, politicians, and religious leaders are asked about their stance on Roe v Wade.While this battle is taking place, it has subtly taken our eyes off a growing menace - thenormalizing of rape culture.  The ever expanding of judicial rulings of dumbing down sexual violence to just sex, the gutting of protections afforded  by Title IX, and  oh too common excuses, boys will be boys or it was just youthful indiscretion, or he is a good family man a good provider.We can no longer take our eyes off the fact that every 73 seconds in this country someone, as in 90% are women and girls, are being sexually assaulted.  That 93% of children victimized by childhood sexual violence knows their predator.  Not doubt, we must  remain focused on Roe v Wade but it's TIME we expand our thoughts, our actions, and our commitment to the eradication of sexual violence and hold those who violate us and the judicial systems that minimize these crime accountable.

GreetingsI'm hinired to have Jeanne,one of our podcast followers join me on this podcastI received a n angry email from Jeanne following the dismissal of Bill Cosby from prisonTo say she was angry was an understatement .We agreed to do this podcast without acknowledging or speaking his name, why because we refuse to give him power by saying his namesThink of the sexual predators in our lives, how saying their names or seeing their faces rile us upSometime sending back to places we don't ever want to goHence the title Predators Whose Name We  Shall Not SpeakBe safe Theresa

Greetings All,As I say in this podcast the acceptance of the term Rape Culture is appalling.  The acceptance of the term grants a pass and  viable excuse for predators - boys will be boys and youthful indiscretion. Those of us victimized are what, collateral consequences, the spoils of sexual warfare, some asses ablility to prove his manhood.It is time, beyond time, that we raise up and fight back.  I hope you join me as I launch this campaign You can reach me directly at thughes@hhcdgroup.comTheresa

Greetings This is part two of the Social Injustice series. Why talk about Social Injustice because there are millions of us, generationally deep whose face, voice, and pain were never seen, heard, and pain were dismissed.We are often forced to lie, to deny, and defy that we were sexually violated. All in the name of not brining shame on to our family, to protect the “good name” of our predators, and not bring same on our race, culture, religion, and family.This podcasts as in all the previous ones debunks the long held belief  that we are either victims or survivors.  I know we are so much more.  Let's shout from the roof tops who we really are. Strong. Powerful and Victorious Be safe and thanks for listeningTheresa

Greetings, I am honored to introduce the world to Debra LeSane, my new hero, a strong powerful black mother who chose to support her daughters who were victimized by sexual violence.Those of us victimized, wanted and needed a Debra in our lives.  She is the mother so many of us craved and want to be.  From Debra, we can find our voice to rise up, show up, and when necessary show out as we protect our children and each other. On top of all this Debra is a poet.   Lordy, lordy this woman can write.  Her words are so  damn powerful Check her out on Instagram - Buried Secret SocietyHer book of poems  The Buried Secret Society Volume 1 (she is working on Volume 2)www.DebraLesane.comCash App $debralesane  $25 includes shippingEmail:  AnotherLesaneCreation@gmail.com

GreetingsThis is a very special podcast interview as I introduce you to Carmen a 39 year old mom of two who is the living breathing testimony of phenomenal and gracious woman who chose not to survive but thriveAt the young age of 4-6 years old she was raped repeatedly by an older cousin.  She described herself at that young age as a Chatty Cathy, instinctively she  knew what he did to her was wrong, but she remained silent.   In the 9th and 10th grade she was engulfed in a crippling depression, which left her  unable to function at school. Unaware what was wrong her parents took her to a doctor who misdiagnosed her as bi-polar.  Throughout her teens and 20's she battled depression and manic episodes of anger and rage.In 2012, in a manic episode she finally told her parents what happened and was institutionalized.She battled back and today she is thriving and raising two successful children, and willing to share her journey of struggle, healing, and thriving in the hopes of helping others.She never saw herself as a victim didn't want to be defined as a survivor, she wanted more, and she achieved it 

Greetings All,I am proud to introduce this groundbreaking five part episode seriesThree grown black women share their Journeys -  struggles, healing, and thrivingEach cast off the labels of being a victim they chose not to be a survivor but be victorious This is the first podcast; 2nd Carmen will share her journey raped repeatedly as a 4-6 year old; 3rd Debra's daughters were raped close to 20 years later they tell Debra she does the “unthinkable “ she called the police demanded her daughters' predator be arrested; 4th the three of us talk as only black women can open, honest, and sometimes laughing; and 5th discuss on what can we all do and invitation to all to join a movement we are building Be safe and healthyTheresa

This is our last podcast for 2020What an amazing 10 months publishing our podcastsWe have learned a great deal and beyond proud and honored for all of you who listened to usWe start off again in January 8, 2021 with an amazing series 2020 has been an horrific year filled with challenges none of us could imagineThere are thousands of lives lost and thousands even millions battling or battled this awful virusFor all of you we wish you well The vaccine is now here but will be months off for the majority of us to receiveIn the meantime remain strong, celebrate and honor the lives lost and those still struggling, and find a way to enjoy the holiday seasontheresa

Welcome to the third Soul Wound episode focusing on healthcare issues for ages 19-45The lessons we learned as children - silence,  how to control our bowels, body dysmorphia, consuming drugs and alcohol to numb our pain and shame is now minimum of 5  to 30 years of damaging  habits/behaviors.The episode discusses the economic and healthcare costs associated to those victimized by sexual violence, her/his family, communities, and future generations

Greetings, this is the 2nd episode addressing Soul Wounds, discussing the slow systemic racism against children of color and how it impacts the healthcare or lack of, the child, it's family, it's community, and future generations.  This podcast is discussing the health consequences and potential interventions to address  unresolved childhood sexual trauma  - prenatal  to age 10 and from ages 11-18Why began at prenatal, far too many babies are born with limited prenatal care, they suffer from low birthweight, suffer from Fetal Alcohol Symptoms, or born substance dependent on the drugs their mother consumed while pregnant.  If their parents can afford insurance this county's health care disparities are now event to the world to see as more black, brown, and Native Americans are dying of COVID-19.  To put it politely, at birth they are behind the eight bill and will take years, if ever, to recover.  This will impact their ability to learn, attend school, and have the ability to just be a kidFar too often, mandatory reporter and others in authority perceive children of color and marginalized children as young as 5 years old as harden, not needing nurturing, and over sexualized.  This is a failure on their part of not understanding, children like myself, we learn early, some by age of 3, crying is not going to bring someone. To hug and wipe away our tears  and we learn to deal with pain and sadly we know we are alone, that no adult is going to save us.Let's never forget two mind numbing statistics - the average of  young black and brown girls forced into human trafficking is 12 years old, a 6th grader; and 3.3 million women ages 18-44 in the US reported their first sexual experience was by some form of rape - the average age of the girls was 15, a freshman or sophomore in high school, and the man was 27.  3.3 million is larger than total population of Chicago and at least 12% will become suicidal and 75-80% will develop some form of PTSD.The 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner, Junior Diaz, write in a April 9, 2018 essay The Silence: The Legacy of Childhood Trauma, published in the Nee Yorker the impressive first person account of what we experienced prior to and post being raped as a child and how it impacts every part of your life for years.  We spend more of lives hiding from the shame of being raped than learning how to live and enjoy lifeI hope you continue to enjoy this seriesBe safe and remain healthy Theresa   

Welcome to our new 5 part series called Soul Wounds, a Native American term used to address and historic trauma to the body, mind, and spiritWhen we think of a wound it's a small bump or a small scar on your  body But when discussing childhood sexual violence and or rape each time a personis  violated or  called outside their name the initial wound opens us, expanding over time into a festering oozing pus linking into our bloodstream. poisoning our minds with self doubt, driving many to numb their pain and shame by consuming drugs and alcohol.The 5 episodes include Introduction, Healthcare, Mental Health, Societal (family, communities, and future generations), and Incarnation To address means to improve lives and develop methods to support those victimized we break each episode into age groups, why because it allows us to see how we can intervene, the struggles folks endured, and means for individuals and mandatory reporting agencies can become supportive and break their perceptions of folks of colorHope you enjoy this seriesStay safe and healthyTheresa

Examine two powerful organizations - Boy Scouts of America ( BSA)  and USA Gymnastics - on the world stage each are power houses, financial organizations, and recognized worldwide Yet, each held a dark silent secret - sexual predator(s) that preyed on young boys and girls for generations The BSA demonstrates the intersection of power, race, gender, and finance. It talks about the role of powerful legal teams seeking men who were sexually violated as Boy Scouts in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970, during the time when Boy Scouts was primarily white.  Compared that to a black young man I worked with who says in this country folks are more concerned about dogs locked in cages than boys who look like himThe first time a young girl reported Dr Larry Nassar sexually violated her was 1997 but it took until 2015 for Michigan State to quietly release him.  He is now locked up and we can celebrate Judge Rosemarie Aquilina and all the young women who stood up and spoke outThis man sexually violated hundreds of girls but the machinery of the USA Gymnastics, Olympics, Michigan State and the training camps, and trainers ignored what was happening.  They chose to remain silent  why - these small powerful titans generated dollars and future clients The young women were viewed as Revenue Producing Units ( RPUs) but folks in power failed to understand they knew their value and powerThe young women did the unthinkable, some said NO to the financial payments They are using their power their voices to demand accountability 

Greetings All, this is the second podcast discussing sexual predators who embed themselves within religious organizations We are discussion 5 Christian religions - Catholic, Southern Baptist Convention, Amish, Jehovah Witness, and MormonsEach faith's sexual abuse is hidden, silenced, those convicted or identified instead of being exposed often they are silently moved, a version of musical chairs, to new unaware congregationsEach believe in the power of Forgiveness. The sexual predator is require to ask forgiveness, depending on the faith, those victimized must ask to be forgiven, and everyone is supposed to forget and move forward The problems arise when those victimized chose not to forgive let alone remain silentOn our website www.strongpowerfulandvictorious.com we are providing lists of support groups per faith you can reach out to

Hope this finds you well,For full disclosure Theresa shares her confused religious history - baptized Catholic, every Saturday attended Catechism, never ate meat on Fridays, attended Mass on Sundays but faithfully attended  Pentecostal, as in Holy Roller, services along with her grandmother, and too much time in prayer circles to save her little demented soul. As most young Catholic girls she had visions of being a Maryknoll nun, traveling the world saving the heathens.  Then one Saturday afternoon she saw the heathens, looked like her brown skin folks. As her father raped and violated her at least 3 times a week she hoped, believed, and prayed to God, Jesus, the Blessed Virgin, and the Holy Ghost to save her, to stop her father raping her.  But no spiritual intervention.  Effie, her 11 inch grey crochet elephant, once again comes to her rescue.  Effie declares there is no one going to save Theresa but herselfAt age fifteen Theresa breaks all ties with religion,  She arms herself to survive and she held on to one belief, the God she believed in had forsaken her.  For 33 years she lost all faith in any greater power than herself.Alone and terrified at age 48 she finds her faith again by combining faiths that made sense to her

Theresa identifies the complex infrastructure - 6 tiers - that creates the opportunities for years and generational childhood sexual violence.  While most people despises, for good reason, the sexual predators, she identifies the Adorning Queen the mother or maternal figure, as the most powerful, as she can end the violence but choices her husband or significant other over her children.Theresa reminds us all, to exam the 6 tiers - Head Predator in Charge (HPIC), status of HPIC,  Adoring Queen, Sacrificed  Children victimized by sexual violence, Silent Siblings, and Future GenerationsFor those of us who were victimized remember who you are STRONG, POWERFUL, and VICTORIOUS

This is first in a four part series defining the six designated roles  required for a sexual predator to continue to sexually violating  via rape, childhood sexual violence, and invest for years even multiple generationsThis series will discuss sexual violence within a family structure, education (college, societies, fraternities, and 4-12 grade), religion (Catholic,  Amish, Southern Baptist, and Jehovah Witness), and institutions ( Boy Scouts, sport organization)This series will be enlightening and educational  

In today's so often divisive times I wanted to find commonalities and solutions we can share.  Sadly, rape,, childhood sexual violence, and incest crosses all economic and racial lines, but the differences is often defined by access to care.I am fortunate to have friends who work in both urban and rural communities.  To compare access of care I spoke with Special Education teacher and MFT who work in rural Colorado.  Of the two, each has long generational family ties,  family who were Homesteaders, and are proud of the communities.  The discussion was amazing, we all shared the same concerns but we learned the major differences was not in violence but unlike urban communities where behavioral health folks often do not look like or share the same cultures of the communities they serve.  

Theresa is joined by Kristine Irwin, Founder of Voices of Hope, from Pittsburgh, PA , to discuss the role social media plays in perpetuating blaming/shaming of those victimized by sexual violenceTheresa and Kristine discuss victim blaming/shaming social media campaigns  - re-traumaization, vile posted comments, somehow she wanted to be  violated, it was  her fault look how she was dressed or drank too much,  she didn't yell loud enough. What was once a private matter is now because of social media is public exposure for anyone to post vile comments.  It limits the opportunities to come to terms of what happened to you, fears and shame are heighten by people, majority you do not know, openly talk about you, and it limits your time to heal and recoverThey discussed the words used by print and television media to describe girls ages 12 to 17 victimized by sexual violence.  Instead of saying they are young girls -  elementary, middle or high schoolers - too young to get drivers license or drive without adult in the car,  vote, volunteer for the military buy alcohol, or sign a legal contract - they are described as young women.  Another, code victim blaming/shaming term is implying those victimized of being in a relationship with their predator.  There is no relationship.  No mutually agreed upon relationship, no joining of equals.  It is time to describe what happened a child was sexual violated, preyed upon by older adult.They raise the question, why is the sexual predator is seldom blamed but somehow he becomes the victim.  How dare he be blamed, what about his innocence, how will this damage his career his prospects in life.  They end this discussion asking the questions what can they do to make a difference and invite others to end victim blaming/shaming

Those of us victimized by rape, childhood sexual violence and incest we are taught  to be silenced and shamed  for being victimized That silence and shame causes us not to tell our health care providers our historyThe decisions we make as young experienced children, many unhealthy but the only means we know how to have some form of control over the trauma we are experiencing have long term health and economic consequences Healthcare providers have known since late 1980s the direct correlation between childhood trauma and obesity and diabetes but how many discuss this with  their  obese or diabetic patients.The combination of healthcare unable or unwilling to discuss childhood trauma or rape, our silence and lack of knowledge, and healthcare disparities creates the perfect storm for premature death and disabilities in communities of color and marginalized communities 

This is Part 2 of Our Weaponized Penis podcast series as we discuss Rape Culture This podcast focuses on how young people are victimized and silenced, the economics of rape and childhood sexual violence - individuals lose over quarter million dollars over their lifetimeDiscuss the importance of women of color and marginalized women as the economic engineers in their communities. Introduce wonderful program founded and supported by the President and First Lady of Sierra Leone called Hands Off Our Girls. The program values the importance of young girls as the future of its country

Ask anyone, especially of color, if they know someone who was  victimized by rape, childhood sexual violence, or incest.Most likely the answer will be yes.   You may be surprised by the number of people they know were sexually violated.We will explore rape as unwanted sex but as a form of economic, healthcare, and societal terrorism.Over the next four weeks, our podcasts will discuss epidemic level of rape and femicide domestically and internationally; innovative programs and solutions lead by women of color to change legislative policies and laws that blame those victimized while protecting  sexual predators; and the direct and indirect economic, healthcare, and societal costs of rape, childhood sexual violence, and incest on individuals, families, communities,and future generations  Each podcast will include innovative programs and solutions building support for those victimized, their families, and communities   

This is a very special podcast as we hear from an African American man talk about witnessing the emotional, healthcare, and economic toll of being sabotaged and betrayed by my family over 45 yearsHe watched my family protect my father, a sexual predator, because he had status and power, and my family's reputation and imagine in the community and church had  higher value than me, the Sacrificial Child I knew my family disliked me, but listening to Maurice allowed me to see their hatred, their betrayal, all because I refused to  shut up, to stop talking, to tear down the walls of silence, secrets, and shame.Their hatred and fear of me increased  when they found out I was writing a memoir which would detail  the violence and betrayal Maurice is my hero, for 45 years he been a constant in my life.  The one person I could talk to, cry with, talk about my fears of hurting my son when I told him the truth of our shared paternity, he is my son and my brotherMaurice did what we all need, he remained in my life, he called and checked in on me, he allowed me to believe I was worthy of living

Welcome to our first podcast!!!It has taken me 50 years to find the courage to talk, to share with the world my truth, I entered this world as the Sacrificial Child.  I am the unwanted and constant living reminder of an unholy alliance no one wants  to remember, but here I be.My father was a pedophile, with a long proven track record, raping his 11 and 14 year sisters, and as a special gift to himself raping a 13 year before heading off to war.  Then  there was my mother, his 14 year sister -in-law, who we won't classify as a rape but more as a business transition - she wanted a new plaid coat and he wanted to screw a 14 year.  I am the result of that unholy alliance.When I turned 14 my mother and grandmother decided I should live with my father, who I only knew as Uncle Ed, and his wife my Aunt Dell, my mother's eldest sister, in a large tract house in the suburbs of Southern California.Within the three months of moving in my father raped me and continued at least once a week  for 3.5 years,  150+ times, he violated my body.   I, along with Effie, my 11 inch crochet elephant, declared war on my father and his wife. I couldn't stop the rapes but I refused to allow that bastard to rape my mind.  Despite everything I held on to one goal, escape by going to college.  Everyone in my family knew he was raping me but they chose to remain silent. Why, he had what I didn't, power and status.  I was a young voiceless and powerless black girl in the 1960s when black folks didn't have the right to vote.  But each day, as I watched CBS Nightly News I saw people, who looked like, my age,  my color who were protesting, fire hosed, and dog's attacking them as they depended their Civil Rights.  They were my heroes, if they could return to fight I sure and hell could.When news came that father impregnated me, there was no outrage, no pull out the guns to shot him, no oh poor Teri.  It was assumed that I would do the right thing, exhibit some common form of decency by handing over my new born son to my pedophile father to raise.  When I refused to the family was passed and never forgave meThis podcast series is to provide for folks who look like me, from similar backgrounds for our faces and  voices to be seen and heard.  This is for the millions of us whose lives were defined by 6 words  - rape, childhood sexual violence, incest, and silence and the two most powerful shame and betrayal.  This is for us to declare we are not weak powerless victims but were  victimized, that we are more than survivors hoping and waiting for  someone to toss us a life lineThis podcast series is for us to own and proclaim who we are - STRONG, POWERFUL and VICTORIOUS This is for us to talk, share our voices, and solutions by tearing down the walls of silence, shame, and betrayal Hope you enjoy the podcasts Theresa Willard Hughes