ok...so it's late and won't count, but i really wanted to respond to christina's post. not only did i grow up with/near women and children who were often the victims of abuse, i too am a sexual assault survivor. on top of that
my mother was in a VERY abusive relationship with my stepfather for almost a dozen years. being a child and witnessing the abuse my mother went through was .....well, there almost aren't any words. i felt so very powerless to stop it---to stand up to him--to take her away from it.

several years ago i was the shelter program director at My Sister's Place here in athens. the repercussions of abuse (mental, physical, sexual) are horrific and truly unbelievable, especially in regard to children! i make no judgements about women who choose to stay and/or return to their abusers. i do believe it's my business and have stepped into more than one altercation when i thought a woman was in danger. it's tough stuff though---we are trained to look away and not to get involved. it is this same fear and apathy that keeps victims locked in that terrible cycle of violence.

with all of this in mind, i must tell you that i was deeply touched and affected by "bastard out of carolina". i identified not only with the southern family theme (my roots are in virginia and north carolina) but also with bone's character. strong (stronger than she could ever realize i think!!) and a survivor, her character really moved me. i saw my mother in annie--a woman so in love, yet so afraid. so, i too am thinking of writing my paper about "bastard". at least tying it into what i'm thinking about... thanks for being so candid with us and trusting us with your history christina. it is encouraging and lends a real voice to abuse----seriously, thanks.