Deana Collins

Mighty & Whole

In May of 2021 I drove 1,045 miles to New Mexico to confront Joe Lopez, the man who molested me when I was a little girl.
I drove to give myself the time and space to be consumed by all that had happened. I drove to allow my voice no restriction in volume as I recited my truth. It felt freeing and righteous.
I stayed in the town he lived in for 2 nights before confronting him. I used my time to just be there and see the things he saw. To see what I saw. It was there that I solidified what I would say to him.
He walked through my life and affected me. My purpose in entering his life was to do the same. I wanted to empty my plate onto his.
I drove to his work on a Thursday morning.
I drove there to tell him that I was tired of the weight and shame of knowing him. I was there to dismantle his fantasies of my compliance and define my silence. I drove there to tell him that every ounce of my soul was screaming NO whenever he was near. That every little girl he touched was always screaming no. I carried their voices with me.
My voice was strong, my words were clear, his denials didn’t derail me but fueled me. No longer was I the little girl he convinced to be silent. Never had I felt so mighty and whole.
I brought my camera, my witness to see what I saw and tell my story.

Mighty & Whole is password protected on my website.
PW: CM2021

Farmington

Hwy 40

Me

Little Me

Shelter

Road

Joe Lopez

Broadway Ave

Me Whole

Flag

Farmington

Hwy 40

Me

Little Me

Shelter

Road

Joe Lopez

Broadway Ave

Me Whole

Flag