Last week I took a self-defense class. My experience there taught me the importance of defending yourself. Everyone should know how to protect themselves, but as a woman, I believe that it is of the utmost importance that we should know what to do in a situation where our life is at risk.

As messed up as it sounds, women are taught that they are at the mercy of men — that the biggest and strongest person will always win and there is nothing you can do about it. I reject this mindset. Women are not helpless, there are things we can do to protect ourselves.

It’s not fair that we have to take self-defense classes and carry around pepper spray. In a perfect world we could walk alone at night without fear, unfortunately it’s not a perfect world that’s why we need to take steps to keep ourselves safe.

-Charlotte