Millennial Business and Life Mastery - Barbados 001 | Page 4

Top 30 Millennial Bajan Entrepreneurs Under 30
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THE LIFE IN LEGGINGS
MOVEMENT, #LIFE IN
LEGGINGS
together than we are apart and that if we had a way to unite,
we could make a difference. I wanted men to understand that
if they could not respect our existence, then they could expect
our resistance. So I created a platform for Caribbean women,
by Caribbean women to dismantle the rape culture within the
region and the diaspora.
3.) What are some of the tangible results that you have
seen from the movement?
The movement provided a platform for Caribbean women
to reclaim the power that was stolen from them. Some women
who shared their experiences of gender-based violence had
never spoken of them privately, much less publicly. In real-
ising that they had nothing to be ashamed of and that the
blame rested solely on the perpetrator, many of them could
finally begin the healing process.
Ronelle King
1). Who is Ronelle King (describe yourself)?
I would describe myself as an Afro-Barbadian Human
Rights Activist, Intersectional Caribbean Feminist, a mother
and bibliophile.
2.) What first inspired you to start Life In Leggings?
I’ve been documenting my experiences with sexual har-
assment for at least 3-4 years before the start of Life In Leg-
gings. I was inspired that day to create the movement be-
cause I had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that
as a woman I constantly had to defend my right to exist in
public, private or virtual spaces without the fear of sexual
violence. I had become exasperated with the constant gas-
lighting around the issue where I would be told that I was too
emotional, or that the comments were just harmless compli-
ments. I refused to accept that men could not comprehend
how harmful their behaviour was unless it happened to a
woman for whom they cared. So I decided I wanted to raise
awareness around sexual harassment within Barbados and
the wider Caribbean. I wanted it to be survivor-centred, and
by doing so, empower other women to speak out on their
experiences and break their silences. I wanted women to
realise that none of this was their fault and that they were
not alone. I wanted them to understand that we’re stronger
Millennial Business and Life Mastery Magazine
Upon the hashtag going viral, many men noted that the
sheer number of experiences that flooded their timeline made
them realise that this was an epidemic. The seemingly nev-
er-ending experiences of each woman and the horrific details
of each incident made them understand what it was like to be
a woman in public, private or virtual space. It enraged them to
know that every single woman in their life had either the same
or similar experiences. And as such, made them no longer
want to sit in silence about the matter.
During the movement, several lawyers saw the need to
educate women about their legal options in the event of sexu-
al violence. Using their blogs and the hashtag, they explained
existing legislation which protected their rights against sexual
harassment to marital rape.
4.) What in your opinion, are some of the main differences
between millennials and previous generations as it relates to
your movement? (The response)
I’ve found that some women of the older generation be-
lieve that women ought to endure. They stayed silent due to
having fewer options for recourse and out of fear of retaliation.
So instead of being supportive of the younger generation for
refusing to accept the narrative that ‘this is just the way things
are’, they opt to be very critical of the resistance. They would
rather uphold misogyny than go through the uncomfortable
process of challenging it.
I’ve observed that many men of the older generation are
quick to defend their actions as just ‘something that men do’
and reluctant to change their behaviour whereas this is a gen-
eration of proud male feminists who are much more critical of
toxic masculinity.
5.) Fun lightning round: Coke or Sprite, Hunter or gather-
er, favourite Caribbean sweet treat, Facebook or Instagram.
Sprite. Gatherer. Jam Puff. Facebook.
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