How many of us have been called a slut? Pretty much every girl I know, myself included, has been called that at least once. Even for reasons that completely contradict its meaning. I’ve heard women be called sluts for refusing to sleep with someone, even though it is meant as a derogatory term for women who are promiscuous.

Amber Rose has become a major role model in the fight for equal rights. Mainly to do with how women are treated in regards to their sexuality. Because why shouldn’t women be able to do the same as men? Men don’t want us to sleep around, yet they get angry if we refuse to sleep with them.

So Amber Rose has come up with her own solution to slut shaming. Last year she hosted the first Slut Walk, and due to its massive success she has done it again this year in Downtown LA. Rose said the walk is to promote female empowerment and put an end to slut-shaming and victim-blaming. Rappers Wiz Khalifa and Kanye West, who claimed wife Kim Kardashian had made him take “30 showers” after being with Amber before Kim would go near him. Having been a victim of this herself, this is a topic close to Amber’s heart.

This year’s Slut Walk included on site HIV tests, breast cancer exams, a fashion show, celebrity guests and counselling. Rose came up with the idea for the walk after she saw a picture of a woman in just underwear with ‘Still Not Asking For It’ written on her chest.

“The point is you can wear what you want and it’s not an invitation”.

Her aim for the walk is to get to the point where “calling a girl a ho’ or a slut is so out of reach”.

This year the walk took place on Saturday October 1st, where 7 thousand men and women showed up to take part in Amber’s Slut Walk, and here they peacefully protested inequality by making signs and signing the ‘Wall of No Shame’.

Unfortunately, not everyone was as supportive of the walk, which was crashed by protestors shouting “you’re a fool in the eyes of God” and calling others “fags” and “sluts”, to which those on the Slut Walk responded with “love, no judgement”.

Although Amber has now forgiven both Wiz and Kanye for their hurtful comments, the message is still clear. Too often women are blamed for wanting to dress and behave in their own way, if it does not fit with what others deem acceptable. I look up to and admire Amber Rose for being able to stand up in front of thousands of people and be who she is without fearing what she may be called for doing so. She is an example to us all.

 

Main image from Wikimedia Commons