Illustration by Rachel HendrixKym Payne- Contributor
kympayne@uab.edu
I vividly remember one thing about May 9 – my head was hurting. I was experiencing a traumatic life event that resulted in charges of assault and sodomy for my offender. I survived with 38 bruises, 7 knots on my head, and contusions down my back. Over the years that followed, my womanhood, security, and peace progressively faded. I failed to recognize my own resolve. Determined, I corrected my sick self. I understood that I was processing life through the filter of May 9. In other words, I was agreeing with my offender that I was weak, subservient and out of control. I chose to pave a new road that led to peace, authority, and happiness.
