Dominique Swain and Jeremy Irons in the 1997 film Lolita. Swain was 15 at the time of filming.

For Dolores

Content notice: This poem includes descriptions of sexual harassment and makes references to sexual assault and abuse. If you choose to share this poem on social media please include a content notice with your post. 

Against Feel-Good Charity

By sticking band aids onto the gaping wounds of social injustice we alleviate some of the most obvious symptoms of a systemic violence in our society. We become part of the problem while trying to be part of the solution. This conflict is made all the more difficult by the fact that we can’t just choose not to do what we do.