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See young men walk a mile in heels to raise awareness about Sexual Assault!  The YWCA of Silicon Valley hosts this unique event during Sexual Assault Awareness Month to call attention to these statistics:  one-in-three women and one-in-five men, regardless of socio-economic status, will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

This event is a light-hearted approach to a very serious subject and is also a fundraiser for our local YWCA’s  local rape crisis center. Donations are not required to walk, but every little bit helps.

Registration for the event begins at 4PM. The walk will start at 5:00. Shoes WILL be provided, but show up early. The walk route parades through downtown San Jose, culminating at the California Theatre on First Street. There will be a reception to follow.

Also, don’t forget, AfricanAmerican scholar/activist Angela Davis will be speaking the same evening at Morris Daily Auditorium!

If that’s not enough to pique your interest, here’s a few more facts why you should walk, and ladies don’t worry. Only the guys need to wear heels. ;)

1. Because one out of three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. You need to be prepared to help a loved one who discloses a sexual assault. Statistics prove that women in your life have dealt with sexual assault.
2. Because sexual assault crosses all barriers. Anyone can be sexually assaulted regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or socio-economic background.
3. Because 97% of sexual assaults are committed by men. You can help stop sexual assault by no longer being a silent bystander & by challenging rape-supporting attitudes & behaviors.
4. Because 10-20% of all men are sexually violated in their lifetime & face unique difficulties in reporting & seeking help. Unfortunately, male survivors are often faced with misunderstanding & disregard.
5. Because 80-85% of sexual assaults are committed by a perpetrator known to the victim. When this happens it is very difficult for a survivor to distinguish between men who can be trusted & men who pose a threat. The result is a society with its guard up, where relationships with men are approached with fear & mistrust.
6. Because you want to understand the dynamics of sexual assault. Myths & stereotypes about sexual assault still tend to place the blame upon the victims & not the perpetrators. These false ideas only serve to traumatize survivors & make them less likely to report or seek help.
7. Because you are disturbed by a culture that has created a society that lends itself to sexual assault. The media sexualizes violence & makes it appear glamorous. The images & messages we see everyday lead to an acceptance of violent sexual crimes.
8. Because you don’t want sexual violence to remain a hidden evil. Unless you or a loved one has dealt with sexual assault personally, chances are you’ve never considered this issue before. It is important for everyone to understand the effects sexual assault can have on someone & the resources available in the community.
9. Because you want to make your community safer. By participating in this event & educating yourself about sexual assault you are raising the community’s awareness of this issue & speaking out against violence.
10. Outdoor exercise, open dialogue, great footwear, & an important cause. The only question left is:

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 21, 2010?

In solidarity,
Mallory Cooper
President, SAVE
(Students Against Violence Everywhere)
mallorykcooper@gmail.com

April 7 – Andrew House,White Privilege:  Identifying & Understanding at MOSAIC: Cross Cultural Center.

March begins 11am at Roosevelt Park, continues down Santa Clara and First Street to the Biblioteca Latinoamericana.  Festival from 1 to 4pm with vendors, food, and entertainment.

Participating Organizations: Cihuatl Tlatocan (MAIZ), FOCUS-SV, Silicon Valley
DEBUG, San Jose Peace and Justice Center, Women’s International League for Peace and  Freedom , San Jose CodePink, SJSU WoWi (Womyn on Womyn’s Issues), Santa Clara County’s Office on Women’s Policy,  LGBTQ Youth Spaces, SOMOS Mayfair, Cardea Center for Women, Bay Area Radical Women, SJSU Women’s Studies.

Cihuatl Tlatocan  is a women’s based mass organization whose vision seeks the liberation of Mexican womyn at an individual and community level, in a collective struggle towards social change and is a member organization of the MAIZ Alliance  (Movimiento de Accion, inspirando Servicio). Questions?  Cihuatl.Tlatocan@gmail.com

Download flyer here (click on image to see fullsize)

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Also please see the left column of the blog (click here) for a Main Index of Women’s History Month events, including WOWI, Transexual Awareness Week, and more… let us know if you have events to be added!

On Tuesday, March 2nd, the course I teach on “Gender, Sexuality and Religion” will host Max Dashu, director of the Suppressed History Archives in Oakland.  She will be speaking on the vast legacy of Women Shamans from far-ranging cultural backgrounds, ancient to modern.  We’ve moved to a larger room to accommodate visitors: please feel free to join us.  The class runs from 6:00 to 8:45 pm, in Boccardo Business Classroom 003 (ground floor, accessed from the courtyard).  Click on the links below for more background on Max and the specific talk she is presenting on Tuesday.  Hope to see you there:

Date: Tuesday, March 2nd
Where: Boccardo Business Classroom 003 (BBC 003)
When: 6:00 PM
Who: Max Dashu, Director, Suppressed History Archives
What: Talk on Women Shamans
Hosted: Prof. Jennifer Rycenga, Comparative Religious Studies class on Gender, Sexuality and Religion

http://www.suppressedhistories.net/
http://www.suppressedhistories.net/catalog/womanshaman.html

Jennifer Rycenga
Professor, Comparative Religious Studies and Humanities

“Mujeres en el Movimiento”

Featuring local activists Elisa Marina Alvarado, Shirley Trevino, Martha Campos, Tamara Alvarado

Moderated by Teresa Castellanos

6-8pm Wednesday, March 3
Mexican Heritage Plaza
1700 Alum Rock Ave, SJ

Women have played a major role in the development and leadership of the Chicano movement inSan Jose, even while struggling for their role and recognition in it.  They have challenged gender norms, politics, and the status quo by founding and managing some of the area’s most progressive arts, grassroots and civic organizations.  Share and take part in this multigenerational event honoring the backbone of San jose’s Chicano movement, las mujeres.