This speech has been really hard to write. Hard because part of me wishes I didn’t have to write it. That part of me that wishes the need for this march would have faded in this last year. I love this gathering and I hope women around the world continue to gather like this in celebration. I just wish that the need for this was over. I wish that we lived in a world free of sexual harassment. A world free of rape.

Now I’m not silly enough to really believe that this would have changed in the last year. I just wish that in this last year I didn’t have to help 4 of my friends deal with rape or sexual harassment trauma’. That people I know weren’t still being constantly hurt. Hurt because some people don’t understand that No Means NO.

When I was a child my mother often would tell me No when I asked for things at the supermarket, especially lollies. Like a sugar craving kid I would ask her again and again. begging her. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASSSSSSEEEEEEEE. Exasperatedly she would turn to me and exclaim “I Said NO Which part of the word don’t you understand the N or the O?”

So I guess I ask those out there pressuring women and men. Which part is it that you have trouble with? Is it the N or the O? See maybe if I understand this we can bring greater education to the world about this issue. We can clarify this misunderstanding of the simple two letter word.

But I see the problem is you think they don’t mean it when they say no. That stop is just a joke. Cause you are king of the world and everything is yours to say and do. It’s owed to you.

Perhaps you could try shutting up. Not saying everything you think as you think of it. That your compliments are not needed or necessary. In fact they are creepy. You don’t have to tell me I look pretty with my make-up or without it. You definitely do not need to tell me my dress makes you think dirty things. I CAN live my life without your running commentary.

Don’t you get it I dress this way for ME.

I don’t do anything to please you. It is all for me.

Learn to keep your opinion to yourself. I don’t want to hear it. Not when I’m on the train reading my book. Not when I’m dancing at the bus to to my ipod. Not when I’m walking briskly down the street in the way to cold for this dress weather. Not even now. I don’t care what you think. Not now not EVER!

If I don’t want the compliments I definitely don’t want the insults.

I also want you to stop laying the blame for your mistakes and your stupidity on me. It is not my fault you can’t keep your mouth shut. It is not my fault you cannot keep it in your pants. Last time I checked most people can be around me without throwing themselves at me. I mean I know I’m hot, but everyone else seems to be able to keep their composure.
So please I need to know.. What part of No don’t you understand? Is it the N or the O?