VEGANGELICA

I wrote the following song lyrics several years ago after religious "morality police" beat some unfortunate Middle Eastern woman in public because her ankles were showing. A brief search on the internet shows me that brutality by morality police continues still, unfortunately.

My heart goes out to all the brave women, and men, who are trying to find freedom, respect, equality, and individuality under totalitarian governments and militaristic groups that deny them the basic civil rights such as freedom of expression that I believe all people should have.

I can't imagine how difficult it would be to stand up to morality police and totalitarian religious regimes when doing so causes you to risk physical and emotional violence. If I lived in such a country and could (safely!) give a piece of my mind to government officials and the morality police, this is what I would tell them:

* * *

“Swallow” by Erica

I don’t swallow the words you say.
You always make the rules so you get your own way.

You tell me since I’m a daughter and not a son,
I don’t have the same rights – “God’s will be done.”

You claim your privileges are because you’re male.
You show yourself in public, forcing me to wear a veil.

You forbid me from going outside alone.
You treat me as if I were something you own.

But I don’t swallow when you say
that I’m weak and need to be kept out of harm’s way.
You try to feed me a line, but you can’t make me bite.
You say it’s “God’s plan,” but I don’t think you’re right

because I’m stronger than you will ever be.
You bully people while I get them to agree
through rational discussion and public discourse.
You resort to violence. I don’t need to use force.

I don’t swallow that your laws were heaven-sent
making you dominant and me subservient.

You make religions up, justifying what you do.
You make your rulings so they benefit you.

You tell me I must embrace the chains you put me in
and that questioning them would be a sin.

You claim I like to comply, but you give me no choice.
You say you speak for me, as you muzzle my voice.

But I don’t swallow these limitations.
I won’t succumb to your manipulations.
I’m no fish to catch and mount on the wall.
I’m not your sacrificial lamb to stick in the stall

because I’m stronger than you will ever be.
You bully people while I get them to agree
through rational discussion and public discourse.
You resort to violence. I don’t need to use force,

for the word is mightier than the sword
and calls for compassion are loved and adored.
When you and your weapons are history,
we’ll still be singing songs of peace and equality.

Strong leaders don’t need to force you to follow.
If they do, it means their strength is hollow.
Good governments allow you to criticize.
If they don’t, it means they’re weak and unwise.

Know the citizens of the world are well aware
your treatment of us is inhumane and unfair.
They won’t believe that we accept your views
until you grant us the freedom to choose.

Grant us the freedom to choose
not to bow to your idol of modesty
that you place before me.

Your vice is protecting virtue.
You blame me for the lecher in you.
You don’t take responsibility
for your shame, so you pile it on me.

If you can’t keep your passions mastered,
then you should be the one sequestered.
Drape yourself in black, hide yourself from view,
stop blaming us for the lust in you!

I’ll never swallow your cultural norms.
I reject your sexism in all its forms.

I won’t bend to the will of your unfair demands.
I’ll make my own life, not be subsumed in a man’s.

I won’t be brainwashed to believe I show my family respect
by letting men walk over me while I genuflect.

I know your wish to control where I go and what I do
only shows the fear and the weakness in you.

You decree gender inequality
and try to force compliance by threatening me.

You fight democracy. You want to block my vote.
You try to shove your edicts down my throat

but I don’t swallow.

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