The Root Interview: Beverly Guy-Sheftall on Black Feminism

I thought this interview was very interesting. It was an interview with Guy-Sheftall, who has been a pioneer for black feminism since the 1960's. She stated how the feminism movement was pro-white, which I always thought was odd considering that feminism is about fighting for equality. It is unfortunate that there has always been a separation between white feminism and black feminism. On a more positive note, it is stated that there are many young advocates for black feminism which is very promising for the future. Black males are also participating in the movement. Black males who Guy-Sheftall considered feminists are between the ages of 30 and 45 because they have had experience with black feminism. I didn't know that Barack Obama was raised by a feminist motherm, which is why he understands politic around gender and sexuality. It's good that we have a president with a background like this because our society is still a white-supremacist, sexist, and homphobic culture. For example, there are no black women on senate. Another topic I liked in this article is how she said that women shouldn't be concerned if they don't have a partner. The media puts a huge pressure on women to have a partner and to have babies. Guy-Sheftall also states how Christianity keeps people trapped in this ideology. Her closing statement is,  "Define your life for yourself." I really like that quote and plan on doing so!

-Andrea Avery

My RAPE story

Rape is never something you want to share with someone. Rape is never something that a person should have to experience in order to learn. Rape should never be tolerated or encouraged. There are no valid excuses for rape. There is no reason a woman or man should be violated by another person. As a young girl, 12 years old, I was raped by 2 men that were family friends. My grandmother asked them to take me home because she wasn’t feeling well and no one could pick me up. I felt strange, but I was so young. I had never been alone with men who were not my brothers or uncles, but I trusted them because my grandmother trusted them. They told me that we would be making a quick stop to their house because my house was in the direction which they had to go and they needed a few things. I reluctantly went in because my grandmother had left them in charge. It’s a bit blurry what happen before they began the rape because I’ve spent so many years trying to forget. At this time, they were about 33 and 29 years of age. I was alone in a strange place with 2 men. I thought if I screamed, I would not be able to make it home, so I stayed quiet. They asked if I was a virgin and my body went numb. I could not speak. I could not move a limb. I laid there, limp and in shock. You can stop reading if this is too much detail, but this is going to help me. One person held my hands pinned into his bed while the older man pulled my clothes off and forced my tiny untouched legs open. He said to his friend, “oh my God, do you think I should since she’s still a virgin.” I began to cry. I almost choked on my own bodily fluids. I never told anyone till this day and I do not think I ever will. I still see these men on occasions. I know I wasn’t the first or the last, but I didn’t know how to explain this at that age. I missed out on most of my childhood days, but I’ve moved on with my life. There are so many children being violated in silence, therefore, as women we have to educate ourselves and our children that it’s never their fault. They need to speak out to someone they trust as soon as possible, so something can be done. I think it took me long enough to get over this, so I do not want to reopen healed wounds by discussing this openly. I pray that people begin to understand that it is sometimes easier to suffer alone than to be labeled as a survivor or victim of rape.

Courtney Brigman

After the discussion held in class Wednesday, I couldn't help but to post something. The whole issue of "she asks for it" really bothers me. No one, regardless of what they're wearing, how they look, how loud they are at a party, or how many drinks they had, asks to be raped.  I believe a person should be able to do whatever they want and shouldn't have to be worried about someone thinking they deserve to be raped. Granted at a party, it may not be  appropriate for a woman to act irresponsible because a woman, or everybody for that matter, should act in a manner which shows they have respect for themselves. That said, no one deserves to be raped, and it makes me cringe that so many people believe that. No one "asks for it". Point blank period.

Rape

I would like to politely disagree with parts of the post below mine. As a criminal justice student, who's taken many courses that involve both sex crimes and police behavior, I was a little offended to read that police do not take rape seriously. Both men and women police officers have been well trained to handle rapes and rape cases. While it may seem a bit insensitive to question someone immediately after something as traumatic as rape happens, it is necessary to catch whomever did this. It is really hard to gather facts after the first twenty four hours after a crime occurs has passed. While there are rape kits (and anyone who has suffered from sexual assault should NOT shower or change clothes but get help, go to the hospital and get a rape kit to help preserve evidence) and while you can give your testimony, it is best to be able to answer officer's questions and to help them catch the rapist.

Maybe there was an unfortunate experience, and I obviously can't speak for every single cop in the entire United States, but I can say that in my experience, police officers have been well trained, and taken many sensitivity courses to help themselves help a victim after a rape occurs.

Please, do NOT let one bad story discourage you from going to the police after something happens. The only way to keep whoever raped you from raping someone else is to seek out justice.

Julia Smoot

Rape: Myths and Facts

Rape was the main topic in our class today, Wednesday November 10,2010. I feel very strongly about this topic and i feel like about of interesting points came up. Some people brought up the objective if women dress a certain way then they are somewhat asking to be raped. That is ridiculous, i feel as though women should be able to dress however they want. Men was not once mentioned in class. It was brought up that anyone can get raped no matter who you are or what you look like, which is true. But the situation about men and how they dress wasn't an issue.

I feel as though this has to be changed, and something should be done about it. I think that cops, and the legal system doesn't make anything easier. Towards the end of the class we touched briefly on how young girls may not want to tell they were raped when alcohol was involved because they are afraid they will receive an under age. I felt this was very necessary to the topic.

Police officers don't make it easy for someone to report a rape. Almost as if they are denying to them they've been raped. Like they are lying about the whole situation. I feel as though they should be more careful at what they say and try to comfort the victim. They make it seem as though it is the victims fault, when that is never the case. This is a reason why society will never stop doing what is being done and a change will not be made.

Something has to stop it, a change has to be made. Many people are truly affected and influenced by being raped and try to blame it on their selves, they aren't educated enough to know that it has nothing to do with it being their fault. IT IS NEVER THE VICTIMS FAULT.

Nikole Smith

Contemporary oppression Amanda Geary

Earlier I posted a blog about how Muslim women were oppressed, but never posted any details about about it.  The major issue with Muslim women, is that they are not allowed to show their face.  They must wear a veil that covers their entire face to symbolize their subservience to men.  They must also ride in the backseat of a car.  They cannot change their name when they get married, they must keep their father's name to show identity.  Muslim women are forbidden to go into the community, work, visit family or friends; they are only allowed if their husbands say they are.  While out they must obey the Islamic rules and behave in their best way.  These women are treated like kids.  If the women have the same job as a male, they get paid less.  If the women broke any of these rules, then there were would be severe punishments.  If women were not clothed properly, she would be whipped or verbally abused.  If they were caught having sex outside of  marriage she would be stoned to death.  If her ankles were showing, she would be whipped.  If her fingernails were painted, then they would be chopped off.  These are just some of the reasons why Muslim women represent contemporary oppression.  They have such limited freedom and if they go beyond that freedom, they are punished.  Can you imagine having to follow by all those rules?  I know that I take many of my freedoms for granted.  I don't think that I would be able to last in a country with so many rules and harsh punishments.

"It Gets Better" Campaign

This links you to the most moving message I have found from the recent "It Gets Better" campaign designed to help all youth endure bullying that happens to anyone perceived as gay or as Joel says "different". Please view and post your reactions in the form of a comment. You can earn a point extra credit for your comment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghOnY4&feature=player_embedded

This is a link to the message from the whitehouse.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/10/09/it-gets-better

~Lisa Ruchti