Megan Thee Stallion, the Grammy-winning rapper, has been candidly speaking out about the traumatic incident where she was shot in both feet by rapper Tory Lanez in July 2020. In a recent personal essay for Elle, Megan details her journey of healing, perseverance, and advocacy for survivors of violence.
The essay comes after a Los Angeles jury found Lanez guilty of multiple charges, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm. But the victory wasn’t just for Megan – it was for every woman who has been blamed and dismissed for a violent crime committed against them.
Megan writes about the intense backlash and mistrust she faced in the two and a half years leading up to the verdict, highlighting the brutal reality of how women’s stories of abuse are often twisted and discredited. She also acknowledges the stigma surrounding victims of violence, and how people assumed that she didn’t need support or protection because she didn’t fit the “profile of a victim.”
But Megan’s strength and resilience during the ordeal shine through every word of the essay. She speaks about the moments of vulnerability and doubt, but also about how she found peace and healing through journaling, prayer, and spending time with trusted loved ones.
Ultimately, Megan’s message is one of hope and empowerment for anyone who has survived violence. She emphasizes that survivors’ feelings are valid, and that they are not defined by their trauma. “Just because you are in a bad situation doesn’t mean you are a bad person,” Megan writes. “Our value doesn’t come from the opinions of other people. As long as you stand your ground and live in your truth, nobody can take your power.”
Megan Thee Stallion’s triumph is a powerful reminder that survivors of violence deserve to be believed and supported, and that healing and growth are possible.
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