Activism Log 2

Week of 04/4/2012

1. Activism:

This week on April 4^th, I tabled with other members of VOX. This was actually my first time meeting a lot of the members as I have a fairly busy schedule throughout the semester. I believe it was successful, in terms of letting people know what was going on and what VOX was. Next week, I might try passing out fliers but frankly, I'm too shy to attempt it.

2. Reflection: 

This week's activism for VOX, which want to help women , is very much in tuned with the chapter we are currently studying about violence against women. Gender violence is a very sensitive topic and it is not one that should be taken lightly. It can come in many forms: emotional, verbal, physical or sexual. Each of these acts can leave behind scars that traumatize women for the rest of their lives. On a marco level, I think interesting that it is probably one of the few topics that bring all “societies, socioeconomic classes, all races/ethnic groups” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey, 257) together as it affects all women. Culture plays a huge role in trying to legitimatize the notion of gender violence with the idea that husband have the right to “discipline his wife” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey, 266). This is a very old idea of course, but until 1993, rape in a marriage wasn't even considered a crime in the United States! And then in the workplace women find it“difficult to speak up about sexual harassment” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey, 266) because of the power employers hold over employees; men's power over women. They don't want to make a fuss about anything and potentially lose their jobs. Another macro level explanations for gender violence also comes from legal systems, which have “inadequate laws and practices concerning violence against women” and is part of the reason why participial power influences women in their everyday lives.

This gets very frustrating to write about. But how can it not be? Working with VOX and reading this chapter has really changed a lot of my own personal views about feminism and gender violence. I'll be honest, I didn't have any opinion of it before this. And while I thought, yes this is an awful thing that happens to people,but it's never happened to me so why should I even bother thinking about it. And I am also not trying to blame everything on our society on men. There are those men out there, like the ones at MAC, who recognize the power and fear men hold over women sometimes. “When I walk on campus at night and a woman In front of me sees I'm a man walking behind her, her shoulders tense up and she starts walking more quickly” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey, 286). For generations is seems like women have been taught to act in certain way in order to prevent violence. We have a check list, we don't wear provocative clothing and if we go out, we go with our friends let someone know when you are going out, and never leave your drink unattended. And yet even if we do all fo these things, it's not always preventable! Sometimes the unthinkable happens and it's completely out of our control. And yet sometimes, people still “blame the victim” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey, 265) even if she did everything right. I think organizations like VOX would support ideas on ending violence against women and as for the community? It has to be something we are all willingly to change. We should word on providing more support for victims, to more of what VOX do by providing more public and professional education about violence against women and change political strategies when it comes to these issues. And the saddest part of this entire reflection is that this is even an issue to begin with.

3. Reciprocity:

I like to think that everything I get in return for volunteering is that I learn something. This week, while pretty much changing my whole opinion about certain aspects of violence against women, was more about interacting and educating people about different aspects of VOX and what they stand for. I However, that also depended who came to your table and who was interested in hearing your speech about your organization. And I have to say, there aren't many people willingly to take the time and listen anymore, which is unfortunate. I think if this week taught me anything about feminism, or any kind of activism (in my case, animal organizations), we have to find new ways to let our voices be heard. I know a lot of activists have been turning to new resources like social media websites and YouTube and have had some varying degrees of success. But still, it's not enough. For example, I volunteer with big cats at a place called Central Florida Animal Reverse and while we have all of these new flashy websites and YouTube channels and what not but hardly anyone knows who we are still. People are literally shock when I tell them there are tigers living only twenty minutes from their house. So, while I don't know what the answer is, I am sure in the future will give us many opportunities to spread the message.

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Rey. Women's lives: multicultural perspectives. 3rd ed. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill, 2004. Print.