So so haunting--those portraits and diganoses. Oof. It's so so awful. I'm so glad you are writing about this--I've read Elaine Showalter's book about women who were institutionalized and that history, but haven't dived into it more and want to. It's so infuriating that women who retaliate against their abuse are still charged when they end up attacking their abuser. Justice has such a long way to go before it ever meets what it is conceived to be. I love this: "The only safe place is the one we make for ourselves by setting our fears on fire and letting the abusers quiver at the spectacle." YES.
So so haunting--those portraits and diganoses. Oof. It's so so awful. I'm so glad you are writing about this--I've read Elaine Showalter's book about women who were institutionalized and that history, but haven't dived into it more and want to. It's so infuriating that women who retaliate against their abuse are still charged when they end up attacking their abuser. Justice has such a long way to go before it ever meets what it is conceived to be. I love this: "The only safe place is the one we make for ourselves by setting our fears on fire and letting the abusers quiver at the spectacle." YES.
Mmmm, this was so unsettling - I deeply appreciate your diligence to explore and document this. Much love to you Axx