About a year ago, Dakota Johnson gave an impactful speech in New York’s Central Park. Well known for her starring role in Fifty Shades of Grey, Johnson defied the “laws” of a celebrity by sharing her phone number with the entire audience of the Global Citizens Music Festival. This festival is part of a larger organization that aspires to end extreme poverty by the year 2030. Johnson took the stage and advocated for a cause she strongly believes in; the awareness of women’s stories who were victims of sexual harassment or assault.
“I care what you have to say and I want to help you, women and girls around the world, to tell your story,” Johnson spoke.
By giving out her phone number, Johnson wanted anyone who felt comfortable sharing to tell their stories in her voicemail inbox. Taking this movement a step further, Johnson went to the social media platform of Instagram to share her number there as well. In her caption, Dakota writes,
“Women and girls in every corner of the world face extreme violence and sexual harassment on a daily basis. Over 800 women and adolescent girls die every day because they do not have access to reliable contraceptives and basic maternity services.
I don’t want to speak for you. I want to listen to you.
This is my phone number. Tell me your story in my voicemail, and I will listen. There is power in numbers. Together with Global Citizen I will compile your stories and get your voices heard. We must achieve a world where #sheisequal.
Love, respect, and trust,
Dakota.”
Through this, Johnson finds herself at the forefront among celebrities who have taken action in bringing to light the reality of horrors many people experience.
Courtesy: Theo Wargo
A year later, Johnson has fulfilled her promise of collecting and sharing these personal stories through the creation of her podcast, “The Left Ear.” Put on by Spoke Media, viewers can access episodes of the podcast through platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. On their website, theleftear.com, Johnson’s podcast is described as an “introduction into non-judgmental listening, and a space of refuge and healing for the survivors.” The name of the podcast comes from the fact that humans’ left ears are the ones closest to their hearts. For this reason, “by listening with your heart, you create a safe space for the silenced.” The first episode premiered on Sep. 28. New episodes drop every Monday. The stories featured in these podcasts are all told anonymously with slight voice alterations to further conceal the victims’ identities. Johnson has received collective praise from around the globe, reigning in a near-perfect 5/5 stars on Apple Podcast reviews. Her activism has created an outlet for those vulnerable, struggling and working toward healing.
If you’re interested in listening to an episode today, check it out here:
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