Trigger Warning: Rape, sexual assault
When I was younger tape was an exploration in the world of crafts. I could stick my watercolor pictures on the wall, make sparkling valentines for my classmates, and…tape the mouths of dangerous men shut?
Tape suddenly has a new meaning on social media.
Aysha Mahmood, an Indian environmentalist and activist, has begun the both entertaining and inspiring campaign of mailing masking tape to a problematic politician as a message to “shut his mouth.”
Plaththottathil Chackochan George, or PC George as often referenced on social media by women activists, has long since been referring to rape victims as whores, prostitutes, and other foul names in recent years. The latest of his claims is an unnamed nun, who reportedly was raped by a Bishop of Jalandhar, Franco Mulakkal. She became public about the incidents September 8th, after filing a 72-page complaint back in June of 2018. She was promptly was struck down by PC George about not releasing the incident sooner, referring to her in court as a “prostitute.” PC George has since said he used the word only out of an exclamation of emotion. Still, he states he refuses to apologize.
Since Mahmood’s first taking to Twitter with the hashtag #VaayaMoodalCampaign (meaning shut the mouth in Meralayam.) The tag has gone viral on Twitter, and even started a campaign on Change.org to remove Mulakkal from his position as Bishop. The campaign states that the nun has accused Malakkal of repeatedly raping her between the years 2014 and 2016. Three other nuns have come forward about inappropriate intentions and advances from the man as well. It currently has just over 4,000 signatures and is hoping to reach 5,000.
Just in observation, this movement is full of such determined and creative women. A scroll through the hashtag on Twitter shows women posting screenshots of purchases of cellophane tape on Amazon, with the intent of “gifting” the tape to PC George. This combined aspect of nonviolent protesting, women of color collectively working towards justice and press, and newage activism across the internet taking place, holds such promise about digital activism in an exhilarating way.
It shows that activism can be whatever you want. It doesn’t have to be taking shifts in front of a county hall, unless you want it to be. It doesn’t have to be running after the police, unless you want it to be. Activism is collective, and the actions we do both physically and online to spread the news together is activism today.
Similar to the #MeToo movement, women are feeling empowered and fed up with the current state of an issue, and the results are emotional as they are effective. This petition could make real change just as the #MeToo movement had aftermath from celebrities and politicians being called out for their actions. To enact change as those part of both of these movements, I encourage readers to sign the appeal of Malakkal petition. Different from the #MeToo movement (which involved personal stories to be shared), I see the #VaayaMoodalCampaign as a way to support the nuns who fell victim to the arch Bishop, as well as Indian women and girls living under his influence.
Ironically this “Shut your mouth campaign” has caused Indian women to want to open theirs. To share their feelings, fears, and opinions on the current state of politicians in India. In working to close one rape victim shamer’s mouth, we are giving voice to thousands of other supporters, and hopefully removing the invisible tape that has continuously been slapped onto rape victim’s lips for speaking up. Let’s remove it and give a voice to those who need it.
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