I Remember

*trigger warning*

#metoo #iremember #standtogether

I wrote this film for 16 year old me.
I wrote this film for 29 year old me.
I wrote this film for anyone who has experienced harm like me.

I remember. We remember. Your harm wasn't lost. Was it worth it, I ask you, as you measure the cost?

A film by Iz Harris
Original Score by Tom Fox [ https://tfbeats.com/ ]
Written, Directed, and Edited by Iz Harris
Camera Work by Johnny Harris

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I REMEMBER

Blur, shout, in and out
Shame on shame, self doubt
She Misremembered,
Tears hot as embers,
Sure as sure gets
But who’ll defend her?

Short skirts, tight shirts, laced drinks, deceiving winks
Placing blame, endorsing shame
So that's her name, lets counterclaim


He was young, they say,
boys will be boys
It’s all fun and games
women are toys

And you, yes you.
I know these words hurt.
Stay with me. Do you hear?
Now let me be clear.
Are you wracked with pain? Riddled with shame?
Shout out your name, make your claim.
me too, me too, me too START FIGHTING.
No more hiding, fears subsiding

Unclear, slight fear
Notable distress
The absence of yes
True powerlessness
Its a stare too invasive an unwanted hand
An assumption of interest and then a command
a grope, a text, behavior unchecked
One blip in their lives, but lasting effect
Where’s the rule book? the guide?
How else can we abide?
If you’re asking, listen here
No book will teach you fear
No rule will stop your harm
No training can disarm
Decency, respect— we don’t need to define.
These monsters all know when they’ve crossed a line.

Is it that hard to ask what we want
Not assume, nonchalant
Does it take a savant?
is it so hard to scream and be heard
Caged like a bird
Is change so absurd?
Is it that hard to breathe in and breathe out?
Not push, nor shout
To pause enroute?


I ask because I’m tired, tired of being scared
Tired of disappointment, tired beyond repair
I ask because I see it, across and in between
Callousness and rage, demanding to be seen
So tell me, please explain, is it that hard?
To remain humane
To show refrain
To cause no alarm
To live and not harm
And if it’s so easy then why do I hear
The cries among us, the trembling fear
Tell me, if it’s so easy, why do you hurt?
For healing and progress it only subverts.
Your actions have meaning, the words that you spew
Fast forward, forgotten it may be for you
I remember, we remember, your harm wasn’t lost
Was it worth it, I ask you, as you measure the cost?

And you, yes you.
I know these words hurt.
Stay with me. Do you hear?
Now let me be clear.
Are you wracked with pain? Riddled with shame?
Shout out your name, make your claim.
#metoo, me too, me too START fighting
No more hiding, fears subsiding

THEIR harm is not our secret
We are not to blame
Its time we stand together
And collectively exclaim
Words so brave they are frightening
So sure, we second guess
Trust in them I ask you,
Say them nonetheless

A poem by a poet and
The anthem to our cries
You may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
You may kill me with your hatefulness
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Inspired by the words of Maya Angelou, without them, I would not be so brave.