Reprinted from "Men" issue of Visions Journal, 2004, 2 (5), p. 19
This exerpt form the rap song RESPECT was written by Noah Davis under the moniker Mosaik. The entire song is performed by the Rubix Project, a collaboration of hip hop lyricist Achilleas and Mosaik, and producer/writer/musician Josh Zotzman. See “stuff we’ve done” at yesmeansyes.com
It’s all about respect.
We get our mindsets correct.
Pull together
and form a gender balance.
United, no doubt we can end the violence.
Divided, we will be destroyed by the silence.
It’s not about him or her, they or them, you or me;
it’s about us together in unity,
becoming agents
of social changes
to build immunity
to the ignorance which becomes contagious.
Attack sexual assault through prevention
our best weapon:
communication.
Open discussion to understand what we facin.’
Intimacy is a mutual decision.
You have the right to say no,
and the responsibility to listen.
Rape is a social condition
created by labels and gender stereotypes.
Set your own values, be aware of your rights.
You have the right to be sexual
but it must be consensual.
And that union must be based on trust.
To force yourself upon another
has nothing to do with lust;
it’s struggle for power and control.
But if you feel the need to have power over someone else
you’re trying to compensate for a lack of power in yourself.
To be able to respect those around you
respect within is what it comes down to.
Chorus
RESPECT
my life, my rights, my choice
RESPECT
my love, my body, my voice
About the author
Noah is an actor, writer, rapper, feminist, agent of social change, and youth program developer and facilitator. He has worked in Victoria with the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre’s Project Respect ream and is currently in Vancouver working with SafeTeen.
