ekimx425
Facebook
Every year the Friday closest to my birthday two important events happen on the same day at the same time, forcing the community to show where their values truly lie. On April 23, 2010 the University of Cincinnati held Relay for Life on the same night as the community event for Take Back the Night. Relay for Life is “a world-wide fundraiser for cancer research and awareness,” explains UC’s independent student newspaper, The News Record. The event raised $110,000 for the American Cancer Society and people from almost every part of the University of Cincinnati community participated to make this event possible. The mandatory or semi-mandatory participation of Greek life and other student organizations on campus mandated that these UC students attend Relay for life, and therefore missing the Cincinnati community Take Back the Night events.
Take Back the Night is an internationally held march and rally intended as a protest and direct action against rape and other forms of sexual violence,” explains Wikipedia. This year the events started with an empowering performance of the Coochie Chronicles on UC’s campus sponsored by the Women’s Center and Ethnic Programs and Services, then the few UC students who weren’t at Relay for life boarded a bus to head downtown for the Cincinnati community Take Back the Night events.
We marched and changed across the river to the location of the speak out in Kentucky. Muse, Cincinnati’s women’s chorus performed and then after a keynote the mic was opened up for people to share their stories and experiences with sexual assault. The stories were sad, solemn, brief, strong, unifying and empowering. Then everyone in attendance walked back across the river in a silent candle light vigil.
Both Take Back the Night and Relay for Life are valid and important events, raising awareness and providing support for survivors of sexual assault and raising money for cancer research and education are worthy causes, so why must these two events be put in competition with each other?
There were approximately 15-20 UC students who attended the Take Back the Night event, while Relay for Life had hundreds of students in attendance. What’s more is, it was possible to take part in both events. Relay is an 18-hour team walk and people sign up for different shifts, this year was the first year that I participated in Relay for Life and I just signed up for the shifts later in the evening after I got back from Take Back the Night. But no one else went this route, and why? Because sexual assault and sexual violence are still stigmatized topics in our culture. People are afraid to talk about it, they get defense and they refuse to acknowledge the facts and data on that topic. It’s clear where people’s affiliations lie and cancer is a much more acceptable place to put your efforts. Maybe one day both of these national organizations can coordinate their schedules better.
No Comments.
[Add New Comment]