Feminism has fought no wars.
It has killed no opponents.
It has set up no concentration camps,
Starved no enemies,
Practiced no cruelties.
Its battles have been for education, for the vote,
For better working conditions...
For safety on the streets,
For childcare,
For social welfare...
For rape crisis clinics, women's refuges, reforms in the laws.
If someone says, "Oh, I'm not a feminist!" I ask,
"Why? What's your problem?"
--Dale Spender
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The revel is back!
Hello, hello, it's good to be back, so good to be back. Hello hello....
I am so truly sorry about my leave of absence, and I'm hoping that you all will forgive me.
Now I am back up in the north and interning at the state's premier crisis treatment center. There have been many changes and many things that I have learned so far. La Casa is just great, and I've met some of the most knowledgable and committed people in the field of crisis intervention.
What Alex has learned so far:
1 ICASA doesn't name La Casa the best center for nothing. They really are the best.
2 Non-profits are extremely corporate in nature! Who knew?
3 I am actually liking the corporate nature of this particular non-profit. Who'd have expected that?
4 Applying for grants is like applying for a college. Only if you don't get into the college, you're still alive. If you don't get the grant, your non-profit may not be anymore.
5 I miss the familiar nature of RCS. While it is smaller and with less resources, it's sometimes nice to have people I can joke with and do things with as well as work with.
6 Court advocacy is probably the most depressing aspect of crisis intervention.
7 People can be incredibly cruel and heartless.
8 People can also be incredibly good and caring.
9 "Business formal" dress code is so not me. But I can do it for two more months...
10 Interning at La Casa has completely exceeded my expectations and then some. I've learned more in two months than I have in a year at almost any other job. And I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of my co-workers and the volunteer team.
Friday's the fundraiser. If you're in the area and have $100 burning a hole in your pocket, come on out, say hi to me, and support a good cause!
I am so truly sorry about my leave of absence, and I'm hoping that you all will forgive me.
Now I am back up in the north and interning at the state's premier crisis treatment center. There have been many changes and many things that I have learned so far. La Casa is just great, and I've met some of the most knowledgable and committed people in the field of crisis intervention.
What Alex has learned so far:
1 ICASA doesn't name La Casa the best center for nothing. They really are the best.
2 Non-profits are extremely corporate in nature! Who knew?
3 I am actually liking the corporate nature of this particular non-profit. Who'd have expected that?
4 Applying for grants is like applying for a college. Only if you don't get into the college, you're still alive. If you don't get the grant, your non-profit may not be anymore.
5 I miss the familiar nature of RCS. While it is smaller and with less resources, it's sometimes nice to have people I can joke with and do things with as well as work with.
6 Court advocacy is probably the most depressing aspect of crisis intervention.
7 People can be incredibly cruel and heartless.
8 People can also be incredibly good and caring.
9 "Business formal" dress code is so not me. But I can do it for two more months...
10 Interning at La Casa has completely exceeded my expectations and then some. I've learned more in two months than I have in a year at almost any other job. And I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of my co-workers and the volunteer team.
Friday's the fundraiser. If you're in the area and have $100 burning a hole in your pocket, come on out, say hi to me, and support a good cause!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Twas the night before finals!
I am listening to one of my favorite songs, "Because the Night," right now. Its singer/author, Patti Smith, once said,
The performer wears his or her confidence as a sacred garment.
If that's the case, then I think I will need a new freaking wardrobe for tomorrow and my back-to-back finals! I really need to do well on the first because there are few graded things in that class, and I need to rawk the second because the professor seems to think we students are signs that there is no intelligent life upon this planet.
See ya tomorrow...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Flashback!
Looking back on it, I think one of the most (if not THE most) pivotal events of my college career has been my involvement with the Vagina Monologues. I know that I've written enough about that play to rival the most seasoned of critics. But I believe and know that this is one of the biggest and most influential things I have done.
Through the play, first and foremost, I met an amazing array of women and men who astonished me with their dedication and spirit. They came from all walks of life and all backgrounds, but they all had the common goal of acting to stop violence against women. These were students, graduate students, community members, and faculty. They came from all over with the same goal in mind, and nothing would stop them from putting on the best play and showing that we meant business about ending violence. Nicolette, the director for the past two years, put her whole heart and soul into it and worked tirelessly (even to the point of getting sick at the end) to make sure the actresses were doing their best and were getting along as well. Megan and Ashley, my first directors, took the initiative of getting the community involved and organizing the benefit concerts. Some of the actresses were pros--Brittany, Remy, Tricia, and Cat were in Inner Voices and wowed us with their natural ease in each part. Some were amateurs--Laura, Sara, Janelle, Rhonda, and me--and shocked us all by how well they carried each role. Some of us were new to activism, some were seasoned pros. But we all had the same goal and a fantastic way to carry it out
The second door the play opened was to my job/internship and passion. My lovely RCS is the recipient of the funds from the monologues each year. Now, before freshman year, I knew what centers like RCS and La Casa were, but I couldn't tell you what went on in there and I certainly would never have expected to WORK at one! When the staff from RCS came to speak with us about their mission, I was hooked. It sure didn't hurt that the director of advocacy was a monologist herself! I knew I had to learn more about them, and that spring, I volunteered at their art exhibit, Healing Works. But it wasn't enough. I had to get into the action, and I filled out the application for the advocacy program and busied myself that summer on the social committee at La Casa. Then fall hit, and I passed the advocacy training with flying colors! I staffed support groups and special events. I worked the hotline and medical shifts. I helped lead the chants at Take Back the Night, and just today, I won an Outstanding Advocate award for my work there! This summer I have an internship in intervention, and it thrills me to think of it. It is not the most glamorous or sought-after job, but it's something I love and am passionate about. And had it not been for the monologues, I would not have been in it.
The third door the monologues opened was to my Feminist Majority. Now I have been a feminist since the age of six, but it actually took a while to get me in a feminist organization on campus. The only one I knew of was NOW, and while I like and respect NOW, they met at an inconvenient time for me. I knew of the national Fem Maj, but I didn't know there was a campus organization. When it was March in freshman year, I heard of an event called Sex Out Loud that was calling for the actresses to perform. I signed up to do so, and while I didn't get to perform (the other grls in my list piece couldn't make it), I went to the fair anyway. I was hooked and ABSOLUTELY HAD to join the organization that threw this lovely event! Through a little determination and a hell of a lot of hard work, I became the president and saw myself putting on the best Sex Out Loud fair I had ever seen! The best part was that some of the people from Fem Maj joined after seeing me in the monologues. Next year I will be treasurer and am ready to throw as grand of an event as this past year.
The fourth one was my campus connections. I became the team leader of the anti-rape fraternity group, FPREP (Fraternity Peer Rape Education and Prevention), because Ross recognized all the hard work I'd put into women's causes. My team members are now CARE facilitators or advocates, and they got fired up for the cause! I met Pat, the assistant dean, because she performed "Reclaiming Peace" last year. She came to many Fem Maj events after that and participated in our reproductive rights panel. This past winter, she invited me onto the committee that oversees all the multicultural houses on Nevada Street.
And last of all, the play helped me to completely conquer my shyness. I think I was pretty outgoing when I came to college, but something about asking "What does a vagina smell like?" to hundreds of people really helped me to kick that shyness to the curb and tell it never to return! Now I am an ultra-extrovert and am incredibly comfortable with any kind of crowd.
While I think the learning process is lifelong, the play has really opened up tons of doors to me that I would not have considered otherwise. I can't wait till next year's, even though it's almost a year away.
Through the play, first and foremost, I met an amazing array of women and men who astonished me with their dedication and spirit. They came from all walks of life and all backgrounds, but they all had the common goal of acting to stop violence against women. These were students, graduate students, community members, and faculty. They came from all over with the same goal in mind, and nothing would stop them from putting on the best play and showing that we meant business about ending violence. Nicolette, the director for the past two years, put her whole heart and soul into it and worked tirelessly (even to the point of getting sick at the end) to make sure the actresses were doing their best and were getting along as well. Megan and Ashley, my first directors, took the initiative of getting the community involved and organizing the benefit concerts. Some of the actresses were pros--Brittany, Remy, Tricia, and Cat were in Inner Voices and wowed us with their natural ease in each part. Some were amateurs--Laura, Sara, Janelle, Rhonda, and me--and shocked us all by how well they carried each role. Some of us were new to activism, some were seasoned pros. But we all had the same goal and a fantastic way to carry it out
The second door the play opened was to my job/internship and passion. My lovely RCS is the recipient of the funds from the monologues each year. Now, before freshman year, I knew what centers like RCS and La Casa were, but I couldn't tell you what went on in there and I certainly would never have expected to WORK at one! When the staff from RCS came to speak with us about their mission, I was hooked. It sure didn't hurt that the director of advocacy was a monologist herself! I knew I had to learn more about them, and that spring, I volunteered at their art exhibit, Healing Works. But it wasn't enough. I had to get into the action, and I filled out the application for the advocacy program and busied myself that summer on the social committee at La Casa. Then fall hit, and I passed the advocacy training with flying colors! I staffed support groups and special events. I worked the hotline and medical shifts. I helped lead the chants at Take Back the Night, and just today, I won an Outstanding Advocate award for my work there! This summer I have an internship in intervention, and it thrills me to think of it. It is not the most glamorous or sought-after job, but it's something I love and am passionate about. And had it not been for the monologues, I would not have been in it.
The third door the monologues opened was to my Feminist Majority. Now I have been a feminist since the age of six, but it actually took a while to get me in a feminist organization on campus. The only one I knew of was NOW, and while I like and respect NOW, they met at an inconvenient time for me. I knew of the national Fem Maj, but I didn't know there was a campus organization. When it was March in freshman year, I heard of an event called Sex Out Loud that was calling for the actresses to perform. I signed up to do so, and while I didn't get to perform (the other grls in my list piece couldn't make it), I went to the fair anyway. I was hooked and ABSOLUTELY HAD to join the organization that threw this lovely event! Through a little determination and a hell of a lot of hard work, I became the president and saw myself putting on the best Sex Out Loud fair I had ever seen! The best part was that some of the people from Fem Maj joined after seeing me in the monologues. Next year I will be treasurer and am ready to throw as grand of an event as this past year.
The fourth one was my campus connections. I became the team leader of the anti-rape fraternity group, FPREP (Fraternity Peer Rape Education and Prevention), because Ross recognized all the hard work I'd put into women's causes. My team members are now CARE facilitators or advocates, and they got fired up for the cause! I met Pat, the assistant dean, because she performed "Reclaiming Peace" last year. She came to many Fem Maj events after that and participated in our reproductive rights panel. This past winter, she invited me onto the committee that oversees all the multicultural houses on Nevada Street.
And last of all, the play helped me to completely conquer my shyness. I think I was pretty outgoing when I came to college, but something about asking "What does a vagina smell like?" to hundreds of people really helped me to kick that shyness to the curb and tell it never to return! Now I am an ultra-extrovert and am incredibly comfortable with any kind of crowd.
While I think the learning process is lifelong, the play has really opened up tons of doors to me that I would not have considered otherwise. I can't wait till next year's, even though it's almost a year away.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
You know you're a scenester if...
--You can remember more song lyrics than you can remember facts.
--You haven't the foggiest idea of what "Stockholm Syndrome" is when your professor talks about it, but you're almost certain that Blink-182 and Muse wrote a song about it.
--Napster named their kitty-logo-thing after you.
--You take off your eye makeup, look at the mirror in shock, and think, "Holy crap, that's what I look like??"
--You think a killer soundtrack saves even the crappiest film.
--When you refer to going clubbing, you need all your fingers and some toes to count the number of clubs you've gone to that night.
--You come back late from an outdoor show smelling like a noxious mix of smoke, booze, perfume, body odor, sweat, and who-knows-what-else, and your significant other sleepily greets you and tells you s/he's glad you're back (without noticing how bad you smell because s/he's used to it by now).
And yes, I made these all up while taking a break from my paper. And most of them are true for me, except for the Napster thingy. Booyah. Now all I need to do is go to some shows after finals. Maybe I'll see Zmick and Piano Man at Canopy next week before I leave, since I sure as heck won't be seeing them up in The LC. But fear not, scene, I will be older and wiser and battle-hardened from La Casa once I come back to grace you with my fabulous presence!
--You haven't the foggiest idea of what "Stockholm Syndrome" is when your professor talks about it, but you're almost certain that Blink-182 and Muse wrote a song about it.
--Napster named their kitty-logo-thing after you.
--You take off your eye makeup, look at the mirror in shock, and think, "Holy crap, that's what I look like??"
--You think a killer soundtrack saves even the crappiest film.
--When you refer to going clubbing, you need all your fingers and some toes to count the number of clubs you've gone to that night.
--You come back late from an outdoor show smelling like a noxious mix of smoke, booze, perfume, body odor, sweat, and who-knows-what-else, and your significant other sleepily greets you and tells you s/he's glad you're back (without noticing how bad you smell because s/he's used to it by now).
And yes, I made these all up while taking a break from my paper. And most of them are true for me, except for the Napster thingy. Booyah. Now all I need to do is go to some shows after finals. Maybe I'll see Zmick and Piano Man at Canopy next week before I leave, since I sure as heck won't be seeing them up in The LC. But fear not, scene, I will be older and wiser and battle-hardened from La Casa once I come back to grace you with my fabulous presence!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Words Like Windows
Practice your lines and show 'em what you got.
You have to be ready cause the scene's getting hot.
Show them how bad you have it and focus in on the prize--
How can they see the truth with tears in their eyes?
I'm not the one who's being misled.
There's a divide between what you say and do.
Actions speak louder, and they drown out your words.
The only one who's being fooled is you.
So how can you lose playing the sympathy card?
Things will get easy once you demolish their hearts.
Offer them a small smile and whimper things will be fine,
You've captured their hearts but disgusted their minds.
I'm not the one who's being misled.
There's a chasm between what you say and do.
Actions speak louder, and they drown out your words.
The only one who's being fooled is you.
I'm not the one who's under your spell.
There's a chasm between what you say and do.
Your actions are screaming, and your words fall silent.
The only one who's been fooled is you.
You have to be ready cause the scene's getting hot.
Show them how bad you have it and focus in on the prize--
How can they see the truth with tears in their eyes?
I'm not the one who's being misled.
There's a divide between what you say and do.
Actions speak louder, and they drown out your words.
The only one who's being fooled is you.
So how can you lose playing the sympathy card?
Things will get easy once you demolish their hearts.
Offer them a small smile and whimper things will be fine,
You've captured their hearts but disgusted their minds.
I'm not the one who's being misled.
There's a chasm between what you say and do.
Actions speak louder, and they drown out your words.
The only one who's being fooled is you.
I'm not the one who's under your spell.
There's a chasm between what you say and do.
Your actions are screaming, and your words fall silent.
The only one who's been fooled is you.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Prehistoric dolphin with modern technology
Boneyard was un-freakin'-believable this past weekend.
Healing Works had the biggest attendance yet (we've been a part of the festival as long as it's been around), and people loved the band Essence that came to play for us. According to the woman who organized it, Ursula, people were dancing through the aisles to it! We even had people wanting to buy the art because they liked it so much.
Despite the rain on opening night, the concerts at late night spACE were top-notch and well-attended. late night spACE was in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a big huge venue that had the Boneyard symbol in it (this year it was a dolphin statue made out of household items like shovels and chess pieces!). The first act, vonFrickle (www.myspace.com/vonfrickle) was a prog-rock act that looked and played like they came from outer space! They filled ReStore with some shredding grooves and harkened back to the old glory days of prog (while still sounding very much original). The second was a marimbist (I think I discussed her in "Two Outta Three Ain't Bad," about the Pygmalion) who played really well and tackled that huge instrument like she was taking control of it. The third one was a really good psychedelic guitarist named Vernon Reid. He sounded like a high-tech student of Jeff Beck! (I'm not saying he's as good as Mr. Beck, but it sounded like he had picked up a thing or two about performing from him.) Definitely one to check out. And he's performed in the funky group Living Colour and the rap group Yohimbe Brothers (who were at Wall to Wall). Maybe he'll come to the next Wall to Wall Guitar Festival. I'd totally go see him (and the others) again.
The next day I went and saw Teatro Luna's play "S-E-X-Oh!" at Plym Auditorium. Teatro Luna is an all-Latina theater troupe from Chicago, and they are very very funny and open. They had come down to be part of the festival, and they got a good big crowd.
Next year is going to be hard to top.
Healing Works had the biggest attendance yet (we've been a part of the festival as long as it's been around), and people loved the band Essence that came to play for us. According to the woman who organized it, Ursula, people were dancing through the aisles to it! We even had people wanting to buy the art because they liked it so much.
Despite the rain on opening night, the concerts at late night spACE were top-notch and well-attended. late night spACE was in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a big huge venue that had the Boneyard symbol in it (this year it was a dolphin statue made out of household items like shovels and chess pieces!). The first act, vonFrickle (www.myspace.com/vonfrickle) was a prog-rock act that looked and played like they came from outer space! They filled ReStore with some shredding grooves and harkened back to the old glory days of prog (while still sounding very much original). The second was a marimbist (I think I discussed her in "Two Outta Three Ain't Bad," about the Pygmalion) who played really well and tackled that huge instrument like she was taking control of it. The third one was a really good psychedelic guitarist named Vernon Reid. He sounded like a high-tech student of Jeff Beck! (I'm not saying he's as good as Mr. Beck, but it sounded like he had picked up a thing or two about performing from him.) Definitely one to check out. And he's performed in the funky group Living Colour and the rap group Yohimbe Brothers (who were at Wall to Wall). Maybe he'll come to the next Wall to Wall Guitar Festival. I'd totally go see him (and the others) again.
The next day I went and saw Teatro Luna's play "S-E-X-Oh!" at Plym Auditorium. Teatro Luna is an all-Latina theater troupe from Chicago, and they are very very funny and open. They had come down to be part of the festival, and they got a good big crowd.
Next year is going to be hard to top.
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