Whenever I tell someone what I do for a living, I get one of these responses:
- they look at me real hard to figure out if I am a crazy raging feminist that they need to be afraid of, or
- they say, “Wow, good for you,” or “I could never do that,” or “That must be so depressing,” or
- they quickly change the subject.
But lately I’ve been thinking that maybe instead of saying that I work to end domestic violence, I should just say, “I’m an optimist.”
Say what?
Domestic violence advocates envision a world where domestic violence doesn’t exist. We really and truly think it doesn’t have to happen. We believe this so much that we continue to enter into relationships ourselves. You’d think after hearing terrible stories day after day, that all of us would swear off relationships. Not so.
I can’t think of anyone that I have ever worked with in nearly 20 years that has said, “You know what, it’s just not possible. It isn’t worth looking.” Nope. Instead advocates help people pick up the pieces and dream of something better. Then they go home and try to do the same for themselves.
What optimism! I love that we envision a just and loving society. I love that while we see the bad and the ugly, we work for the good and the beautiful. I love that our work is moving towards preventing violence, not just supporting survivors. I believe that we can end domestic violence. I really do. I guess I’m an optimist!
-Ilene Stohl, our economic justice & prevention coordinator
Can You Relate? 