It seems that this week everyone was focused on the SOLO Concert. Students either couldn’t wait to see it or couldn’t stand the band choice. Whether you loved the concert or didn’t bother to go, chances are you talked about it.In all of the excitement, two annual Tech campus events were all but eclipsed.
This week both Take Back the Night and The Clothesline Project occurred. Both of these events focused on the awareness and prevention of violence.
The Clothesline Project, which was displayed on campus on in the Tech Pride Room, is a collection of shirts that have been designed and written on by people affected by domestic or sexual abuse.
The Take Back the Night rally was held to raise awareness about violence against women and children.
Both of these events are known off Tech’s campus. The Clothesline Project you see on campus has shirts designed by community members as well as people affiliated with Tech. It’s one of many Clothesline Projects around the country.
Take Back the Night events are also held around the country, with some rallies involving thousands of demonstrators.
I won’t repeat the statistics because you’ve heard them all before. I won’t lecture you on violence against women and children, either. This is a college campus. At this point in your lives, many of you have experienced or witnessed violence firsthand. You already know that it’s an ugly thing.
My question is why do these types of events have such low participation on our campus?
I’m sure that the vast majority of students here like the idea of preventing violence and supporting victims. After all, groups of students are in the RUC collecting donations for good causes practically every day.
For some reason, students seem reluctant to go to the actual events.
Granted, Tech professors tend to hand out homework like they’re handing out candy on Halloween. It can be hard to find time to go to events, especially if they’re on weeknights.
Maybe it’s because the issues are so depressing. Listening to stories about rape victims and battered children is heart wrenching. There’s so much hate and violence in the world that facing it can be daunting.
Still, it’s about time that we make our actions match our words. If you want to make a positive impact on these issues, it isn’t enough to just think positive thoughts.
There is power in numbers. The more of us that attend events like these, the more seriously the issues will be taken. That means more publicity, more donations, and more people thinking twice before they attack others.
