Slut was a word I became familiar with at a very young age. Probably too young but by the time I had realized that I was already deep into my proud “hoe” lifestyle. For a long time, the shame I felt because of my comfort with my sexuality was lying heavy on my conscience.

I was in the seventh grade the first time I was called a slut (to my face) and it hurt. I felt attacked. It was ridiculous considering I hadn’t even had my first kiss and I didn’t have the faintest idea of what a penis looked like. It turns out when confidence seeps through your pores and you get curves faster than a lot of girls your age, you’re a massive slut.

As a society we are conditioned from childhood to believe that good women are virginal and modest. Good women don’t laugh too loud or wear skirts too short. Good women save sex for marriage.

I understand what morals are. I completely understand what it means to respect yourself. Why does that mean women are not allowed to enjoy sex freely without having their character reprimanded? I know what a good woman is and I know that has nothing to do with their sexual lifestyle.

The ugly cousin of slut shaming is rape culture. Rape culture is a setting in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to societal attitudes about gender and sexuality. Could you imagine what it’s like to have something so awful done to you, then be asked what you did to cause it? As if there would be any kind of reason to justify the action of rape.

Watching the cult classic movie “Grease”, there’s this scene where the pink ladies are mocking the main character, Sandy, for being a modest virgin and it’s so funny to me thinking about it now. Girls who are like Sandy in this day and age are somewhat like unicorns and literally endlessly praised.

Amber Rose is a crusader in the battle against slut shaming and rape culture. Amber Rose’s slut walk was on Oct. 3, 2015. Slut walks are a powerful movement with a strong message attached.

Hundreds of people turned out for Rose’s walk. There were men and women all dressed up or not at all, everyone sending the same message. It doesn’t matter what you wear, you don’t deserve to be raped. It doesn’t matter how much sex you have or how many people you have it with, you are still worthy.

Women are not looking for excuses to be “hoes”. We are sexual beings, we’ll be open about it if we please. I am so deeply in love with confident women who show no fear in the face of slut shamers.

Women who have learned to have pride in who they are and stand their ground.

Women who aren’t trying to hide who they are and what they want.

We are sexually confident, proud, and comfortable.