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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7PlMqsc5Cc

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I was at a café, at night, watching a girl 

Perform slam poetry to a crowd of regulars.

Everyone clapped, before she 

Began a piece

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That insinuated alcoholism was a form of weakness.

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She equated this weakness to masculine traits

And promptly vilified them both. 

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After the performance, I spoke with her; 

I cited Gabor Mate, encouraged her to think deeper

About the relationship between addiction and trauma, 

How societal vilification perpetuates these cycles.

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She took offence, 

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Asserted that she had a relative that inspired the work -  

That she was experienced enough to understand such things 

Before punctuating the entitlement 

With a condescending 'sir'.

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I told her to go f**k herself

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And that was the end of that. 

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