16-year old Texan Jada recently discovered that photos of her unconscious body went viral online after she was drugged and raped at a party with her high school peers. Immediately after the photos were released, other teens started to mock Jada online by posting photos of themselves on the floor in the same pose along with the hashtag #JadaPose. The social media phenomena turned the violating act of rape into a joke and belittled not only Jada’s experience, but the experiences of countless survivors of sexual assault.
So we stepped in.
In the midst of all of this perpetuation of rape culture, horrific victim-blaming, and ridicule, there has been some light. Many activists reclaimed the #JadaPose hashtag and used it to depict someone more like Jada really is: someone who is strong, who has fought back, and who will continue to fight back. Now, folks have been able to fight back on social media with supportive messages in hopes of bringing some justice to Jada and her family, who have spoken out against the horrific use of her rape as a punch line.
Here at the Feminist Majority Foundation, we too stand in solidarity with Jada and the millions of women who have been sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. Take a look at some of the FMF staff and interns who have their own awesome #JadaPoses and are ready to fight against rape culture, and take action yourself by tweeting with #JusticeforJada and #JadaPose!
