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Self-respect means walking away from anyone who makes you feel like you aren’t good enough, like you are only a burden, like you are inherently worthless — because you know that’s not the truth.

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Here was the mentality I grew up with: the world is a meat market and I am a steak. It was my fault if men were giving me looks and I was sinning by giving them something to look at.

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I learned that it’s always startling if any stranger tries to talk to you in a bank, but exceedingly more startling if they whisper “nice ass…” It’s like, do you want my number? My pin? Because it’s unclear.