Normalizing Abuse: A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse

NORMALIZING ABUSE...

Do you make excuses and rationalize abuse because it is so familiar that you discount it as being normal?

Many of us are enduring some kind of pervasive abuse or are witness to it and may not even be aware of it. We're being bombarded from so many directions that we have become blind to it. The abuse almost feels normal. We might sense something's not right, yet the problem is not apparent. That could be because abuse and resulting trauma are not always blatant or obvious. It can be collective, insidious and pervasive. We may also be conditioned to it so deeply that it is no longer recognized as abuse by victims, perpetrators and greater society.

Normalizing Abuse - A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse...by Karen Tate, who is an abuse survivor herself, examines some of the countless ways blatant and pervasive abuse is being acculturated and present in so many aspects of our lives today.

Normalizing Abuse - A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse...offers some reasons why we have become so accepting of the abuse and offers suggestions to help recognize pervasive abuse all around us.

Normalizing Abuse - A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse...is a synthesis of observation, shared anecdotal real-life stories, and information examining acculturated abuse in the hope we might better recognize it and the trauma that could result from it. We need to stop normalizing or accepting abuse because it is unhealthy and devastating. We need to stop burying our collective heads in the sand. Normalizing abuse should no longer be an option.

"I considered myself savvy and educated and an advocate for peace, fairness and equality. I thought abuse was something that happened to others, not me. But it was happening to me. I was asleep at the wheel and didn't see the danger signs as my life careened off the road. Abuse and the resulting trauma can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender identity, beliefs or economic status. We have to examine all aspects of our lives for both blatant and insidious abuse. We must recognize it and take steps to eradicate abuse from our lives and society." --- Karen Tate

Rev. Dr. Karen Tate is a seven-times published author, radio show host, speaker, workshop presenter, sacred tour leader and social justice activist.

Foreword by Rev. Matthew Fox, PhD