There she stood.
For months with her head held high in front of her ex-lover and his accomplices in court. Unwavering, accompanied by her daughter and sons.
It is the story of a woman living in a small village in France. She was nobody. At least not to the world. She was fine with her life. For a while now, everyone has known who she is and what was done to her. And even more importantly; the incredibly brave choice she made to give up her anonymity. Show them what happened and how these seemingly normal men abused me. Why should I be ashamed?
She is right. She voiced what millions of women already know, but what the world had yet to learn: shame belongs to the perpetrators, not to the victims. Her strength, her courage, is a beacon for a society that is in dire need of change.
What a strength. What a courage.
There he stood.
Backed by the tech giants who feel threatened by the increasing restrictions on their empires. Tech companies that are losing power due to the EU, Australia regulations etc. Companies that are nothing more than #onlinecoke, and make fortunes with manipulation and dependency. And the dependency and manipulation came in handy for these “socially challenged” men. Undermining society in order to further roll out various business opportunities. For men like him, people are just numbers on a spreadsheet, numbers to convert into currency. A world of back rooms and secret scorn, in which empathy makes way for power.
This man, blessed with opportunities and influence. But he does not know how to unite. It cost millions to win. It cost a lot of #onlinecoke to convince voters. That influence comes at a price, as evidenced by the appointment of every billionaire with dubious ties to influential positions.
Yet Time Magazine chose him as “Person of the Year.” Was this an independent decision, or just a package deal? The owner of the magazine, a tech giant himself, is considered a “good guy.” What went wrong? Demise of power or an I.O.U?
I do not choose Trump.
I choose Gisele.
Without billions, without influential connections, sacrificing her anonymity, her dignity, her connection. Let this power be leading. Her courage shows the powerful promise for a better world.
Bon Noël, Gisele!