Do you know how to defend yourself? Judo? Kickboxing? Glock? You may think of these methods related to your physical safety in a dangerous situation. Take a step back, though, and you’ll see how you aren’t in control of your body in other ways. If you’re a woman, the last few years have seen your right to make decisions about your own body yanked away. You may be subjected to more unwelcome comments, looks, or even touches. If you’re LGBTQ+, in addition to harassment, you may see your right to marry torn away.

Not every instance of harassment or injustice can (or should) be met with a physical response. Knowing how to defend yourself, and when it is appropriate, can give you confidence and a sense of agency in a world that wants you to be a puppet. “Pistols” represents all the ways you can express agency in your life. It’s important to be able to defend yourself physically and verbally. It’s also vital to know when to walk away.

I am not an expert in any of this. I’m an overweight woman in my 60s. It’s a journey and I’m on it.