Moving Twitter Trend: Why I stayed
Easy going? Sometimes not so easy.
Photo: iStockphoto.com
"Why did not you just leave him?" The reactions that women like Beverly Gooden receive are often the same. Beverly was abused by her ex-husband for twelve months. Why did not she break up with him immediately? Easier said than done. We should not judge people rashly, Beverly says, but understand their situation first. To do this, on September 8, 2014, she launched the hashtags #WhyIstayed on Twitter and #WhyIleft (Why I'm gone) into life.
Two days after Beverly Gooden's first post, contributions with these hashtags are posted on Twitter every minute. Women tell why they could not part with their abusive partner and how they made the leap into a self-determined life after all. A little insight into a strange life, in 140 characters.
"I tried to leave the house after an abuse incident and he blocked my way. He slept outside the door all night, "Beverly writes on her Twitter account. We introduce other women who have followed their courageous example.
I tried to leave the house once after an episode, and he blocked me. He slept in front of the door that entire night. #WhyIStayed
- Beverly Gooden (@bevtgooden) September 8, 2014
Lin Tay Mic: "Why I stayed: Because I put my needs above my own and because I thought I could change it. Why I left because I chose myself. "
#whyistayed because I always put his needs before my own & because I thought he could change him. #whyileft because I decided to choose me!
- LinTayMic (@ georget76) September 10, 2014
Savanna: "Why I stayed: Because I believed in the things you said. Why I left because I realized they were not true. "
#WhyIStayed because I believed the things you said. #WhyILeft because I realized they were not true
- S avanna (@ Sxvxnnx3) September 10, 2014
Nina Nicholson: "Why I stayed: no one believed that educated, handsome, charming men like the father and the first husband could be violent. Why I left: I began to trust my own judgment. "
#whyistayed No one believed educated handsome charming men like father & 1st husband were abusive #whyileft started trusting own judgment
- Nina Nicholson (@ninanic) September 10, 2014
Susan Arnold: "I stayed because my pastor told me that God hates divorce. It did not occur to me that God also hates abuses. "
"@bevtgooden: I stayed because my pastor told me that God hates divorce. It did not cross my mind that God could hate abuse, too. #WhyIStayed"
- Susan Arnold (@thepoustinik) September 10, 2014
Monika: "Why I stayed: Because we both thought it was my fault. Why I left: Because I realized that it's his insecurities and not my actions. "
#WhyIStayed because we both believe it was me #whyileft because I realized it was insecurities not my actions. #selfworthpriceless
- Monika (@smartcookiewest) September 10, 2014
Amy Adele Williams: "Why I stayed: I thought if I keep him in a good mood, he will not do anything to me. Why I left: Because my son and I would be dead otherwise. "
#WhyIStayed -thought if I kept him happy he would not hurt me! #whyileft because my son and I would be dead if I did not!
- amy adele williams (@aawbrown) September 10, 2014
