Last night was the “take back the night” march in Telluride, Colorado. I’ve participated in many group events, but never anything with that sort of sheer raw energy. There were dozens of men and women all gathered to confront violence in our society.

“People unite! Take Back the Night!”

My twelve year old son marched by my side, chanting right along with the adults. Each time an abuse statistic read the compassion was visible on his face. When they said that one in four girls will be sexually assaulted before the age of eighteen he looked at me and said “Mom, that’s too much.”

Follow up:

“Yes means yes! No means no! Whatever we wear! Where ever we go!”

As we marched through the streets we gathered even more people, local and tourist alike joined in on the chants. As we stopped at each corner, a statistic was read. People stopped and listened, people stopped to think.

“Hey, Hey! Ho, Ho! All this violence has to go!”

After we made our way back to the courthouse, survivors began telling their stories. Including the Mayor of Telluride. There were almost as many men there as women telling stories of childhood abuse. I saw soft smiles, I saw tears, there was laughter, an incredible range of emotions filled the streets.

“Claim our bodies! Claim our rights! Take a stand! Take back the night!”

Some of the voices were small and quiet, but still brave. One girl said that everybody has a story, and sharing those stories has power. The power to help others. They talked about standing up, breaking cycles, changing lives. It was beautiful.

“Gay, straight, black, white! People together take back the night.”

As one man shared his story I realized he was a stranger, sharing a story he had only shared with one person before in his life, and last night he shared it with dozens of strangers. When he was done, when all of the stories were done, none of us were really strangers.

“We are women! We are men! Together we fight! To take back the night!”

When we left, my son said “Mom, what can we do about it?” I didn’t have to think about it, because I was thinking it as we walked through the streets. He already has. He is the next generation. He is willing to break the cycle, and he is willing to teach others to do it as well.

“People unite! Take Back the Night!”

Everyone that was there last night was committed to changing the world. Everyone that was there last night believed change was possible, and they made a promise that the cycle ended with them. Even if you weren’t there... you can make that promise too!