For our final arts-based project, I found an article from the Philadelphia Tribune, an African-American newspaper, titled, “Up From the Ashes: Healing From Sexual Abuse.” The article focuses on the life of Kadie Grey, a black woman who faced continued sexual abuse from her own father from the ages of four to twenty-three.

Kadie talks about a “veil of shame” in the article, arguing that anyone who has been abused lives under this veil. Recy Taylor certainly was trapped under this veil for some time, as we saw in her lack of willingness to share her experience with family members. Kadie blocked out memories of her abuse, and her mind would often go blank when her father was brought up. She later learned this was called dissociation. For my piece, I wanted to capture the veil of shame that Kadie describes. In the drawing, the girl is pictured shielding her face and is fearful. A thin, almost-transparent veil hangs over her head.

Black women have historically been abused by white males, yet this article presents us with a drastically different narrative. Published in 1999, it is fairly recent and highlights new challenges for the modern-day black woman. Kadie kept quiet for the duration of her abuse, never confronting her parents until years after. Unfortunately, when she did, they brushed it aside, refusing to believe her. Time and again, black women continue to be denied their voice. Much of the sexual violence against black women is what helped to fuel the Civil Rights Movement.

For many women who have been abused, even long after it happens, a veil remains. There are many layers to this veil, and it can take a long time to remove. For Kadie, that meant going through intensive therapy and a “rebirthing.”

Grey, K. (1999, April 27). Up From the Ashes: Healing from Sexual Abuse. Philadelphia Tribune, 27-28.