MEDUSA HISTORY: HOW RAPE BLAME GAME STARTED. GOD HELP US
Who knows the story of Medusa? Yes that ugly lady with the hair of snakes. The Gorgon who men dared not look at else they turn to stone. Do you know her real story?! Well I'll tell you!
When I was in school, I was given a project titled Myths and Legends. Well naturally I settled for Greek mythology and Medusa hit my interest.
I always thought she was evil and all but this is the true story.
So Medusa was the most beautiful girl in her town. Her hair shone like gold. All men wanted her but she never gave in. She caught the eye of Poseidon the god of the sea and didn't give him the time of day. Well what did he do? He raped Medusa in Athena's temple. Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war.
Now the sad part was Athena was so enraged by what had happened that she cursed Medusa. Not the man who raped her no! Cursed the poor girl who was raped. Turned her into a creature that no man would ever look at again without dying and turned her beautiful hair into snakes.
Now some have claimed that Athena cursed Medusa to protect her but in all my research and even the writings of the poet, the story was consistent.
When I found out the truth behind Medusa, I changed my project and turned it into a tribute called 'Misunderstood'. I recreated her tombstone, changed her garments and created a pendant with her face on it. Needless to say that was my best project in school and it was on display.
Now to bring it home. Isn't that what happens these days? Both here and abroad? A girl is raped and instead of going for her attackers, you blame her and slut-shame her. Claim she brought it on herself?
When you think of Medusa you think of an ugly Gorgon. When I think of Medusa I think of a beautiful lonely girl the world failed. Just as the world is failing women today
#TheUntoldStory #Greek_Mythology
#justiceForRapeVictims