Truth vs fiction.

[serafaery]

“The idea that ancient women warriors (Amazons) removed their right breast to improve bow hunting is a myth, not a historical fact. The belief originated from a false Greek etymology interpreting "Amazon" as "without breast" (\(a\)- "without" + mazos "breast"), rather than from actual practices.”

Someone somewhere mentioned this as a true thing recently, while I’ve been processing a botched breast surgery that has left me disfigured.

There was a part of my brain that has been screaming ever since, please tell me no one would ever actually do that to themselves.


This is a Gemini answer but I still find it profoundly reassuring.

Comments

[tommx]

I've always know of this to be myth. It reminds me of a mis-translation in the Bible used to have people convinced that Jews had horns. I'm sorry if the person who thought it was true triggered you while you process what you're going through.

[michaelboy]

I'm sorry you feel disfigured. Yet, I see so much more in who and what you are. I know it doesn't erase your feelings nor should it but I am so fortunate to know you as I do.

[serafaery]

Thanks thanks :) I'd never heard of it! It's been stressful, I know people are well-meaning but the impulse to describe something way worse than what I'm going through has been frustrating/invalidating, I know they aren't trying to upset me, quite the opposite, that's my own sensitivity I have to manage. I also know that many people do have their breasts fully removed, but as far as I know, that's because they have to protect their health, or for a gender-affirming need, and they are not doing in to their own body with a knife out in a jungle somewhere. No shame to anyone who augments their breasts for any reason. I just really needed to know that women weren't mutilating themselves for sport, I guess.

[tommx]

I know people are well-meaning but the impulse to describe something way worse than what I'm going through has been frustrating/invalidating

I never understood people who think that they're being helpful by doing that. My take is that when a friend is going through something difficult, it is best to listen more than you speak, and to be of actual service to that friend by asking what they actually need rather than making assumptions about what is best for them. It's also important to know that the answer "There's nothing you can do" or "I'd rather not talk about it right now" is entirely appropriate and should be respected. Suffice to way, invalidating someone's struggle by suggesting how much worse it could be is incredibly unhelpful.