Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Week 6 Assignment

I think labeling women’s fears as terrorism is inaccurate only because I imagine that for many people it creates an imaging of bombs, guns, and war torn areas. The word terrorism does not elicit the right reaction form people. I think that if Ashley wants it to call it sexual terrorism then a new, more appropriate definition should be devised. Her explanation does not fit with the dictionary definition for terrorism provided.  I believe that a more accurate definition should concern the terrorist actions being committed.  Sexual terrorism in my opinion should be defined by the unacceptable actions of men (and women) that cause many women to take certain safety precautions. 

           And I do not agree with her when she advises women to stand up against their fears and stop their safety precautions. The second article makes this point as well. I agree with that author when he says that Ashley, the author of the first article, should reevaluate her decision to change her fearful behavior. I know that all my female friends and I take similar precautions and we do so with good reason because simply standing up to these fears does not make then illegitimate. I also do not like walking home in dark, I make sure not to leave my drinks unattended, and check the entire house anytime I come home and find that one of my roommates has left the door unlocked. I carry out these precautions to protect myself and feel more comfortable in my environment.

homework #6

On the blog, post a 1-2 paragraph description of activities you suggest we engage our male guests in on Bring A Man to Class day. What concepts should we present and how? Are there any videos, websites, etc. that we might present to them? How do you think our time that day might best be spent?

What i would like to do with our time on 'bring a man to class day' is to address women in the media and how that leads to society reinforcing violence, or belittling of women. What i propose is that we get in pairs with our man and bring a female magazine. For example cosmo, vanity fair, people, etc. Take this magazine and count the number of adds and protray women is a sexual manor. In groups choose three adds that portray different types of sexuality of violence. Present why you chose these adds and how you feel about them.

Once we are done with the project we could talk about the effects this has on societies view of women, and how it teaches men that its okay to violate women.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Sara's Response on Sexual Terrorism

In the artical working to create social change, Sara talks about the double standard that happens in rape cases. Where women are blamed for the crime or are scared to tell what happened to the police. In the artical it speaks about the Kobe Bryant case, where by the reason Kobe got off the hook was because his atorneys spoke about the victims sexual history and tried to use it against her. Finaly she recieved so many death treats she backed off from the case. I agree with Sara to stop the majority cases of rape which happen not with a stranger attacking but someone closs to the victim. We need as a civilization to give women more respect where these acts of senseless violence would not happen.

History of Take Back the Night

I agree with Sara rebutle against Mr. Clark artical, it not the womens fault for these happenings. It is backward thinking, and should not be tollerated at all.
We as men should mature and grow to be better human beings, and cause fear to another human being. I for one respect everyone around me, and I dont like to be stocked so why would I do the same. The struggle women have to deal with is not right at all specially in this day and time.

Liberty Article Response to Sexual Terrorism.

The article made by Jessie Clark, was insensitive by all means. Ashley Slokes artical represented the fear that most women undergo in a violent society like our own. Mr Clark sinical ideas that this is the way it is and women got to deal with it is wrong. I belive he has a mother and would not like anything to happen to her. But this is not his mother this just another young women that he has no compassion for as a human being.

Editorial on Sexual Terrorism

I believe unfortunitly sexual terrioism is real and has been happening for generations. I have had friends at the community college level ask me to walk them to their cars after class. And in the martial arts classes I have taken my instructor would teach women who came there for that reason. It is unfortunite that these happenings do occure. I think it is sad that women have to be affaird. In my Athropology class I read not all societies around the world have this problem at this magnidude in finnland women hear about the esscort services for college students here in the us. Then they cant believe that women in college need escorts to go home. I myself never do such actions, I was taught to respect women. Doing such actions would insult my chearacter as a person.

HW Due Week 5

I can hardly count the number of times I physically shuddered with disgust while reading the article from "The Liberty."

Sexual Terrorism is a very real thing. However, it is hard to define - and through my own learning process I can see how it is hard to accept at first. What bothers me is when people reject, refuse, and insult without taking the time to try and understand. Basically, if you understand patriarchy and sexism, sexual terrorism isn't that far off. Thinking that sexual assault is "just another crime that happens for no real reason," is what bars the way for people to understand this concept.

As a man, it's true - I don't pay any particular attention to the way I dress or where my drink comes from (with regards to safety.) I feel weird when a guy starts walking behind me at night... but that's just because I'm nervous. It hasn't been drilled into my head, if anything, it sets me apart from the norm. But I can't tell you, even if I'm uncomfortable at night, it's not rape that I'm afraid of. I am not, (and cannot be), a victim of sexual terrorism. But the reality of the issue recently hit me personally...

My girlfriend has started mentioning that she want some sort of personal protective device, like a stun gun or pepper spray. Though I'm a pacifist, I'd sure like to have some of that, just in case, on my person while walking through Old Town in Portland late at night. But why haven't I bought any? Why does she feel like she really needs it? She'd probably call it common sense, because she isn't aware of the terminology. I call it sexual terrorism.

Terrorism doesn't necessarily kill people, in order to be called terrorism. Its about random acts. It's the pervasive threat of attack. Anyone who can't see the connection here, well... you're not looking hard enough. Open your mind.

Week 5 Homework

Not to demean Melissa's comments but her last sentence about how "they didn't really do anything to her" is very similar to the overall tone of Jesse Clark's article. Since nothing actually happened, why are we making a big deal over it?

We should make a big deal over it because that walk was not an isolated incidence. Just because no harm came to Ashley that night doesn't mean that the same scenario wasn't played out with another group of men and another solitary woman a few blocks away or in a different state or on a different night. The important thing is that it happens, and it happens because we live in a society that tells women that they have a reason to be afraid of men and tells men that women are allowed to be used as a receptacle for sexual and physical violence.

Now if we had changed that group walking in front of Ashley to a group of girls, would the story be the same?

"I was walking on Jackson Ave. from class and three older women started to walk in front of me. One had given another a large sum of cash, which she promptly shoved into her pocket. The girls were staggering all over the sidewalk and, even though it was only 1 p.m., smelled of alcohol. I let them stay ahead of me, but the woman who was clearly most intoxicated started to say how she bet I was scared. And she continued to turn around - I figured she was trying to make sure I knew she was talking about me, and possibly trying to scare me. "

How many women would change their route home to avoid the possibility of sexual violence at the hands of women? How many women would automatically assume that they could be in danger of sexual assault? Since only MEN inspire such thoughts this can be seen as a form of terrorism.

I think many people think that terrorism = violence and therefore most harassment of women can't be terrorism. Yes, terrorism often includes violence but the key to the definition of terrorism is the word terror. What kind of emotion is terror? Extreme fear. A terrorist then is someone who uses their power to instill fear. Fear of violence, fear of death, fear of the unknown... there are many things to be terrorized by. The scariest part of any movie for me is not when the killer jumps out of the closet with the butcher knife and hacks up their victim. No, it's the 30 seconds before that when the unknowing sucker starts to reach for the knob and turn it.

When a man uses the power given to him by our society to instill fear into a woman, that is terrorism. The simple fact is that there is a difference between most men and most women. Most men are stronger than most women. Especially when it is three against one. Ashley probably knew that IF those men had turned and attacked her, the chances of fending them off were very slim; even if she knew self defense or had pepper spray or -god forbid- a gun. The fact that they didn't attack her was their choice, not hers. Their power, not hers.

Week 4 Homework

I am currently talking with Lindsey Schnell from the Women's Center about working together on an activism project involving the "No Woman Left Behind" campaign. As of now everything is in the planning stages but Lindsey is trying to get Lauren Chief Elk to come and speak to her women's studies class. I'm interested in getting the bracelets out and speaking to members of our community beyond WS.

No Woman Left Behind was started after three female soccer players from DeAnza College, California broke in on a group of baseball players who were gang raping an unconscious woman at a party.

No Woman Left Behind means that if you see a woman in an unsafe situation or who has passed out from too much alcohol that you intervene on her behalf even if you don't know her.

Week 5 Assignment

Personally, I have never heard of the term "sexual terrorism." I have to say though that I don't particularly do any of things she mentioned (unintentionally, like being aware of walking at night by herself, talking on the phone, etc.). This is probably a bad thing, but I usually walk home alone after work or from the library. I don't particularly see this as something all women/girls should hope they could do, I mean it would be nice if a girl could walk alone at night and not be afraid of the two guys walking ahead of her. Something that really stuck out in my mind while reading these articles was the guy who was quoted in the Barometer saying how if he is walking at night he is seen differently. I found myself completely agreeing with this guy, when I do walk at night by myself and I see a guy, my first thought (no matter how fleeting) is 'is this guy going to hurt me?' Which is really unfortunate, because I know that if I were to pass that guy on campus in the daylight or if he were to sit next to me in class I would not think twice about him. I talked to a couple of my friends about this and they completely agree with me. Guys that don't even register to them in the daylight suddenly become something to be wary of at night.
I have to agree with the Jesse Clark article to an extent; calling it "sexual terrorism" could possibly be taking it too far. I can understand where the girl in the "Sexual terrorism, a continuing cycle" article is coming from and the definition could fit, if you stretched it out a bit, but the word "terrorism" implies some pretty bad things, and saying you were sexual terrorized by guys being ridiculous and drunk (and they didn't really do anything to her) seems to be a bit much.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Week 6; Bring a Male to Class day Activities

I think that the topics we should discuss should definitely closely relate to things that men of our generation are experiencing for example: Dating violence and Surviving Domestic Violence (book, stories).I really think it would be very interesting to have Q and A, or get some insight from the men that come into class, where do they think violence against women is portrayed in life, do they believe, or see how much our society is effected by it? I really think that the "Tough Guise" video (clips) would be influential in opening up some minds before we get into great discussion on the topic, but I think a giant brainstorming session on more contemporary forms of the media (icons etc...) would benefit more, due to where we are at as a society. I really think that discussion would be more beneficial for the group of men coming into class, then a bunch of numbers and statistics (I feel that it is important to educate and not embarrass or push the men that have volunteered to come in and hopefully share), but I do feel that we need to get the message across that this issue is not o.k. and that they can help fight against it by being Allies. I feel that we will need to make impact on the men, but in return have a great deal of discussion to talk about why they feel the way they feel (upset, sad or not) and what they could do to take care of themselves and others.

Sexual Terrorism Response

Wow, it is really amazing how often we as women are pushed into doing even everyday things differently, it really makes for a scary place to live. We constantly are having to watch what we wear, how we act, where we go at certain times, as if we are the ones making the choices when situations arise. I go jogging at night (when I go) due to the fact that I really don't like to be harassed by people in the mornings or during the days. I have been the recipient to many "cat-calls" as men would call them, and they aren't flattering or make me want to run anymore then I already do. I really enjoy running at night because I avoid people, but there is always a fear of running into someone else at night who could harm me as well. I listen to my Ipod while I run, which probably isn't safe either, but I can't run without it. So I hold my keys in my hands and keep pepper spray with me as well. It is like I have to get extra ready before I run just so I can make sure I'm safe. With this idea I have found that push into an environment, which "I" have to make safe, an environment which should already be safe.

I agree with Erin in the fact that I thought that the "terrorism" aspect was a little strong, but now as I look at how many different aspects of my life that I have to alter to be able to keep myself safe, it is in fact correlated. I can only hope that we as women can educate women on ways to be safe, while still fighting the push from society, to just live and be.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Homework Wk 5

Sexual terrorism definitely impacts me. I do most of the things Ashley wrote about in article#1 to protect myself. In addition, I like to hike and I am afraid to go alone which definitely restricts me. Jesse's rebuttal of Ashely was harsh but there is a point to what he/she says. The multitude of ways women arrange their lives to avoid violence is "common sense". Yes, it is "common sense" for people in war zones to run for cover when they hear air raid sirens, for kids who are bullied and picked on by older kids when they are walking home to take alternate routes, and for all kinds of other VICTIMS to take measures to protect themselves. Because women use "comom sense" to protect themselves does NOT mean that we should excuse the perpetrators of violence. The key issue is an ABUSE of POWER. Men in our patriarchal society have been given more than their fair share of power and it is the ABUSE of this power that has caused women to live in fear. In the case of kids, older kids have more power because of their size, experience, and abilities. Does this mean it is not important how they USE that power? Of course it is! Military units have more power than the civilians around them and they are RESPONSIBLE for how they use that power! Sara hit the nail on the head when she said we need to educate womean AND men about violence against women, including sexual terrorism, in order to effect change in the societal and cultural norms that create this inequl distribution of power and, therefore, it's abuses. Changing what doesn't work - now that's the best common sense I've hear so far!
Sandi

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

International violence against women artical

International violence against women artical.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/violence-against-women/international-violence-against-women-act/page.do?id=1051201

International Violence Against Women Act
Violence against women and girls represents a global health, economic development, and human rights problem. At least one out of every three women worldwide are beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime, with rates reaching 70% in some countries. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is an unprecedented effort by the United States to address violence against women globally.
The United States has a valuable opportunity to raise the issue of women's rights in its diplomatic work. Finally, we can work together to end the suffering of millions of women and girls.I-VAWA introduced in the House
Good News! Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) became the first Republican to co-sponsor the House Bill on I-VAWA (H.R. 5927). Acheiving strong bi-partisan support is essential to ensuring that I-VAWA passes and women around the world are protected against violence. » See Senate co-sponsors supporting I-VAWA (S. 2279)» See House co-sponsors supporting I-VAWA (H.R. 5927)

Posted by Andres Jaime Estrada.

Homework #5

After reading the about sexual terrorism i realized that i do these kinds of things everyday. I really watch what i wear, making sure that im not looking skimpy. I dont go to parties very often or drink around people i dont know because i dont want to get stuck in a harmful situation. When i do, which i rare because of the fear, run at night i carry my cell phone and or pepper spary. These are things that i do to protect myself and using these protective measure is second nature.

I have never hard of sexual terrorism before so when i first stated reading i was skeptical, thinking that using the words terrorism was a bit too much. After getting further into the material i realized that this is what is going on. Women are forced to live in fear the same way americas are forced into fear after 9/11. So what is the difference? That women are a minority and the US is not?

Violence Against Women: Activism Project Proposal Week 4

Violence Against Women: Activism Project Proposal Week 4
I got a idea about making a myspace site about violence against women. Im going to show the effects of the violence toward women and the effects it has on society and on faimlys. Most men have mothers and daughters who they care for dearly. I must show them the effects of violence toward women.

Andres J. Estrada

Local artical for violence against women.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/ruling_curbs_multnomah_county.html
Ruling curbs Multnomah County domestic violence program
by Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian
Monday September 29, 2008, 8:54 PM
Subpoenas landed on the desks of several domestic violence victims' advocates this summer, ordering them to show up in Multnomah County Circuit Court with files containing victims' statements against alleged attackers in two pending cases.
The subpoenas sent shock waves through the county's nationally recognized domestic violence program, prompting a special team of police, prosecutors, parole officers and advocates who work together to intervene in high-risk cases to stop accepting new ones. The Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team came to a screeching halt.
"We didn't know what to tell victims. We were unable to say 'Trust us, your information would remain confidential.' So we stopped," said Chiquita Rollins, the county's domestic violence coordinator.
Advocates argued that divulging confidential information about victims or subpoenaing records would have a "substantial chilling effect" on victims. Rollins cautioned that offenders could use information gleaned from an advocate's file to intimidate victims and keep them from testifying.
Defense lawyers countered they had the right to review victims' statements before trial. In an unusual circumstance, the Multnomah County district attorneys sided with the defense. Prosecutors demanded that the advocates' material be turned over to the defense as part of pretrial discovery.
"This was a difficult situation for us, because the advocates really are our partners in this program," said Darian Stanford, a Multnomah County deputy district attorney. "But the law is clear. We're obliged to follow the U.S. Constitution and Oregon law."
Post done by Andres Jaime Estrada.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Activism Project Proposal Week 4

Hello All,

I am proposing to do a video night at the Black Cultural Center on Violence Against Women in particular women of color. I am currently the educational chair for the Black Student Union. I am completely open to any suggestions on movies or documentaries people can provide. I am hoping to also prepare some discussion questions in regards to the video we watch. It seems pretty straight forward I just need to find the materials that will facilitate an open and honest dialogue and support women of color and women in general...

Activism within the Halls

I am currently a Resident assistant within housing here on campus and have been for a couple of years now. This has enabled me to have many connections here on campus, the connections that have a great capacity to reach a lot different people. I really want to work within the halls, with the freshmen class that came in, in educating about the underground ideas of violence against women. I became really interested in the "clothes-line" idea that we read about in previous chapters, and would love to expand on that with the help of many resources on campus, but most of all I would love the aid of the new and hopefully educatedly influenced freshmen class, in regards to violence against women.

Activism Project

I had a similar idea to Erin's, distributing flyers in the men's bathrooms around campus and at local popular places like bars or resturants. Using information from the National Domestic Violence Hotline or other related sites, I wanted to design a flyer or sticker to put up that simply states facts about violence against women and that a drunk yes doesn't mean yes. Maybe Erin and I can work together on this!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Homework wk4

For my activism project I am planning on attending a run/walk to put a stop to domestic violence. I have been looking in the portland area. Another idea I had for my activism project was to attend  and volunteer some of my time helping out at a center for women who are victims of domestic violence. 

Activism Project Proposal

I was hoping to work on a project with Miranda, but I don't know how to get a hold of her and she wasn't in class last week... If she submits something cool, I'll just switch to that, if it's okay with her.

Regardless, here are some of my ideas for the content of the project. I would like to do a special table in the MU Quad. There may be flyers. There may be info and discussion. But I want to do something different...

I want to attract people with a sign that says something along the lines of: "If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, come get your free hug! If you are unfamiliar with this phenomenon, come get informed." Something like that. Obviously the hugs will be real, I'm no bait and switch guy.

Another thing I might do at the booth (I like this one a lot) : I know a gal on campus that works with the theater, and can create quite compelling bruise makeup. I thought this might be a good way to rally people against violence. A show of support, a terrifyingly effective conversation starter. I haven't spoken with said gal about this, though... so... we'll see.

My third Idea for the table would be for it to take a "male" position... talk specifically about the idea that violence against women is a man's issue. Information will be directly geared toward a male audience.

Those are my ideas.

Activism Project

For the activism project Melissa Gonzalez and I plan to hand out purple ribbons in order to increase awareness about domestic violence. The project will involve making ribbons with pins attached and handing then out to students passing through the MU quad. We plan to have the ribbons attached to an informational card so that hopefully even if the students wear the ribbons are asked what they mean then hopefully they can pass along the message. We were also thinking about attaching some type of purple candy as incentive for people to stop, listen to our message, and take a ribbon.

Homework Week 4: Activism Project

Karen LeDuff and I are planning to do our project together. We have the idea of handing out purple ribbons in the MU quad, attached to an index card with facts about domestic violence. As an incentive to actually take the ribbon/paper, we also plan to have a purple candy of some sort attached to the card.

Activism Project

For this, I participated in a Take Back the Night march and discussion at Western. If this doesn't work for my activism project, then I would like to post filers around campus and in other places around Corvallis and Salem. I found these awesome filers at The National Domestic Violence Hotline website that I would like to distribute around. I don't know if this is enough for a activism project though.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Homework Wk 4 - Activism Project

I attended the domestic violence awareness walk/run in Minto Brown Park in Salem last weekend. It was sponsored by the Marion County Domestic Violence Council to raise funds for the Mid-Valley Women's Crisis service in Salem. The theme was "silence promotes violence". I look forward to sharing more about this experience with all of you in class!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Week 4 Homework

In the womens bathrooms you always see the stickers stating, "If your professor or TA is doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable..." I was wondering if there was anything similar to this posting in the boys bathrooms?After talking with a few of my male friends i found out that the mens bathrooms do not contain these types of messages.

My idea is to make a flyer to place in the mens bathrooms around campus that go over what consent is and what NO! means. I would also like to go over what too drunk to give consent is, as well as talk about a women saying repeated no's and and then caving in to yes doesnt really mean yes.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Homework Week 2

Local:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/oregon_judge_stays_convicted_r.html

National:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,432142,00.html

International
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2854474&page=1

Week 2 Post

Local:


National:

International:

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Homework Week 2

National News: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27035312/

Local/State News: http://www.dailyastorian.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&ArticleID=54942

National/International: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8407338/

Or watch the video interview, there's a link next to the text break down. It got me all riled up! Take a look!

Homework wk 2

Local: Parole Denied




3 Sources; Violence against Women Blog 1 ML

City rallies against domestic violence


Violence Against Women: Stories You Rarely Hear About


UNFPA:NEWS


Monday, October 6, 2008

Homework Week #2

Local:


National:

International:

Violence against women in the news

Yamhill woman testifies that her abusive exboyfriend was "a good person"

Vermont man coerced girl to help him kidnap his 12 year old neice who he then assaulted and killed.

"Honor Violence against women surging in UK"

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Homework week 2

National article:
"Husband, 2nd man held in female soldier's stabbing"

International article:
"Armed groups and government forces continue to abuse women and children in North Kivu"

Local/ State article:
"Oregon parole board resumes deliberation on whether to release Richard Gillmore, the jogger rapist"


~Sophia Mamoyac

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Homework Wk 2


BEAT A WOMAN? PLAY ON; BEAT A DOG? YOU'RE GONE


National football star is likely never to play professional ball again for beating a dog while many other football players charged of beating their wives or girlfriends continued to play.

“Might it be that domestic violence and spousal abuse is so pervasive in sports that it's simply too costly for leagues to suspend so many men? What would happen after all if those poor dear teams couldn't fill their rosters?”


THOUSANDS OF CHILEANS TO MARCH AGAINST FEMICIDE

By Matt Malinowski - WeNews correspondent
SANTIAGO, Chile (WOMENSENEWS)--Fifty-two Chilean women have been killed by their husbands or boyfriends through October and the Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence in Chile wants the world to know about it. ...............................




Oregon parole board resumes deliberation on whether to release Richard Gillmore, the jogger rapist
by Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian
Monday September 29, 2008, 3:55 PM
A three-member state panel today resumed considering serial rapist Richard Troy Gillmore's request for parole. The state Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision halted its deliberations August 14 after allegations surfaced that Gillmore had made threats against his victim within prison walls. State police began investigating allegations that Gillmore was overheard in prison threatening to cut the throat of victim Tiffany Edens as he sought to be released..................................................................

Sandi Mickey