Amber Rose's first-ever "SlutWalk" took place in Los Angeles this past weekend, and hundreds gathered to show their support. Rose and many others wore revealing clothing as a way to stand up for what they believe in and show the world just how bad the double-standard against women really is.
The event brought in several hundred people as they joined the 31-year-old stripper turned model to "express outrage toward issues of sexual violence, gender inequality, derogatory labeling and victim blaming," according to The Los Angeles Times. The idea started in 2011 in Toronto after a police officer told some college students that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized," and this hit home for Rose, who is someone that has been publicly slut-shamed for the way she dresses on several different occasions.
The event was hosted by the Amber Rose Foundation, which is her own non-profit organization, E! News reported. The goal of this organization is to "uplift, empower, and enhance the platform of women across the globe." They have launched a GoFundMe page to help those "who have been subject to slut shaming, a lack of implication of double standards, sexual assault, and even rape." The page has already raised over $55,000.
From fans of Rose to celebrity guests and rape survivors, the event brought in a bigger crowd than she could have ever imaged. Rose stunned in black lingerie as she lead the pack carrying a sign that read "Strippers Have Feelings Too," according to People. "[Rose is] really comfortable in who she is," one event participant said. "She's not ashamed of her past."
Rose, who is a mother, has had a tough past in the public eye. She used to date rapper Kanye West and was also married to rapper Wiz Khalifa, who she had her son with, and the two have said some pretty hurtful things about her in the press ever since their breakups. West called her out in a radio interview earlier this year, saying, "It's very hard for a woman to want to be with someone that was with Amber Rose. I had to take 30 showers before I got with Kim [Kardashian]."
During the event, Rose posted a photo of her mother Dorothy holding a sign that read "F--k Yo 30 Showers!" She also gave a very inspiring and emotional speech on this specific topic, as well as the fact that her ex-husband said she was "nothing but a stripper," according to TMZ.
"So, he came out with a song that really hurt me because all I did was ever love him, I just loved him so much and gave him a beautiful son," she said through tears to the crowd. "To be told that I was nothing but a stripper, it hurt. I want to forgive Kanye for what he said about me. I want to let all that negativity go. I want to also forgive Wiz for what he said." She then explained how Wiz had already apologized to her for what he had said about her, so she had already forgiven him, and she continued on with some powerful words of wisdom.
"I suggest that you guys do the same and I'll tell you why," she explained. "Because they're ignorant at times. People are ignorant. And you have to be the bigger person to be a positive person, to forgive and move on to help other people around you who have been through the same thing."
Watch Rose's inspirational speech here!
