A song written in Chile defending women's rights and bringing attention to the worldwide struggle against patriarchy has now been translated into multiple languages and performed in 52 countries.
"A Rapist in Your Path" which was written by Chilean feminist theatre troupe Las Tesis founders Paula Cometa, Sibila Sotomayor, Daffne Valdés, and Lea Cáceres, calls on an end to patriarchy and highlight the difficulties women face in modern-scoeity.
The song has now also become part of a trending movement in which women gather and sing the song at certain places in order to highlight their cause. One such event was the trial of convicted sex-offender Harvey Weinstein.
Other such events in which the song has been sung was during protests in Mexico and Turkey against femicide and in Brazil at protests against domestic violence.
Activist Rose McGowan said of the song:
"It will continue to spread. You know, you can't stop this, because it's so intelligent and deep and strong. And it comes from centuries of oppression."
Paola Mendoza, who is founder of the 'Women's March' said of the song:
"As you say these words, and I've said them so many times now, they never lose their power and the power they hold only gets deeper and more profound. The words are definitely filled with anger, but also with a tremendous amount of empowerment. It's about taking back and reclaiming our space and our bodies. It's a liberation, of sorts."
Happening right now in front of the Weinstein trial court house: Over a hundred activists are performing “Un Violator En Tu Camino” - A Rapist In Your Path - the Chilean anti-rape anthem in English and Spanish. pic.twitter.com/sdCelWVoDB
— Lauren Aratani (@LaurenAratani) January 10, 2020
Below are the full lyrics for the song in English:
The patriarchy is a judge
that judges us for being born
and our punishment
is the violence you don't see.
The patriarchy is a judge
that judges us for being born
and our punishment
is the violence that have seen.
It's femicide.
Impunity for the killer.
It's disappearance.
It's rape.
And the fault wasn't mine, not where I was, not how I dressed.
And the fault wasn't mine, not where I was, not how I dressed.
And the fault wasn't mine, not where I was, not how I dressed.
And the fault wasn't mine, not where I was, not how I dressed.
The rapist is you.
The rapist is you
It's the cops,
The judges,
The state,
The president.
The oppressive state is a rapist.
The oppressive state is a rapist.
The rapist is you.
The rapist is you.
"Sleep calmly, innocent girl
Without worrying about the bandit,
Over your dreams smiling and sweet,
watches your loving cop."
The rapist is you.
The rapist is you.
The rapist is you.
The rapist is you.
[h/t: Elle]
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