2008 Woodie Awards
Take Back the Night
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Opinion
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Take Back the Night is an opportunity to mark and challenge violence against people who identify as women. The event is a protest, a memorial and a reclaiming event. Take Back the Night at Humboldt State includes a speakout where survivors are able to tell their stories, a march through town, and a display of the Clothesline Project, t-shirts inscribed by survivors' loved ones.
While many people who identify as men have experienced sexualized violence, this event is specifically designed to recognize the impact of sexualized violence against people who identify as women. Even well-meaning attempts from male-identified people to participate in the march, rally or speakout can hijack this unique event.
At the same time, many people identified as men stay away from Take Back the Night because they think of the event as "man-bashing" and view their presence as unwelcome. Recognizing that Take Back the Night is a powerful and important night for everyone to attend, a positive and engaging space for people who identify as men is necessary and has been created to address the issues of sexualized violence.
As part of Take Back the Night 2007, a forum has been created that explicitly invites people who identify as men to participate as sincere partners in the efforts to stop sexualized violence. Male-identified people are deeply involved -as survivors, perpetrators and caring friends of survivors, and thus, we all must be a part of any work against sexual violence if it is to succeed. This is an uncommon opportunity to listen to and respect the experiences of women; all people are encouraged to attend.
The space created is a discussion session and speakout specifically for male-identified people to talk about their experiences surrounding sexual violence. We have organized the following approximate schedule of events.
‡ 6 p.m. - Join the entire community to hear speakers, view the Clothesline Project, and listen to women survivors of violence tell their stories. It is vital as people who benefit from male privilege to listen to women's experiences of sexual violence. Approximately two hours.
While many people who identify as men have experienced sexualized violence, this event is specifically designed to recognize the impact of sexualized violence against people who identify as women. Even well-meaning attempts from male-identified people to participate in the march, rally or speakout can hijack this unique event.
At the same time, many people identified as men stay away from Take Back the Night because they think of the event as "man-bashing" and view their presence as unwelcome. Recognizing that Take Back the Night is a powerful and important night for everyone to attend, a positive and engaging space for people who identify as men is necessary and has been created to address the issues of sexualized violence.
As part of Take Back the Night 2007, a forum has been created that explicitly invites people who identify as men to participate as sincere partners in the efforts to stop sexualized violence. Male-identified people are deeply involved -as survivors, perpetrators and caring friends of survivors, and thus, we all must be a part of any work against sexual violence if it is to succeed. This is an uncommon opportunity to listen to and respect the experiences of women; all people are encouraged to attend.
The space created is a discussion session and speakout specifically for male-identified people to talk about their experiences surrounding sexual violence. We have organized the following approximate schedule of events.
‡ 6 p.m. - Join the entire community to hear speakers, view the Clothesline Project, and listen to women survivors of violence tell their stories. It is vital as people who benefit from male privilege to listen to women's experiences of sexual violence. Approximately two hours.
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