Michael T. Olague
One of the most difficult adjustments returning from active military service was losing that sense of comradery. Whenever any of us experienced some jarring personal issue we knew we could count on someone to be there to help with anything. Coming home, it was strange to see how people seemed to bottle up whatever was eating them up, perhaps only sharing with a tight knit group of friends or family. Take back the night surprised me, in a sense that victims were able to share their traumatic experiences with a crowd of complete strangers and receive such overwhelming response. It was extremely comforting for this perceptively tough as nails yet wouldn't hurt a puppy Soldier to see. I felt that other than sharing the personal stories, the most significant event was the Doctor (forgot her last name) who's argument was to switch our paradigm from the "no means no" method of mitigating sexual violence on college campuses towards "yes means yes," suggesting that in too many instances, intoxication or other form of incoherence is an automatic green light for sex. I can only hope that events like these, and continual education on sex and gender equality can perpetuate positive change.
http://icati.catishack.com/uploads/MichaelTOlague/MichaelTOlague-15108582238-20141027-1414384647.1989.mp3
One of the most difficult adjustments returning from active military service was losing that sense of comradery. Whenever any of us experienced some jarring personal issue we knew we could count on someone to be there to help with anything. Coming home, it was strange to see how people seemed to bottle up whatever was eating them up, perhaps only sharing with a tight knit group of friends or family. Take back the night surprised me, in a sense that victims were able to share their traumatic experiences with a crowd of complete strangers and receive such overwhelming response. It was extremely comforting for this perceptively tough as nails yet wouldn't hurt a puppy Soldier to see. I felt that other than sharing the personal stories, the most significant event was the Doctor (forgot her last name) who's argument was to switch our paradigm from the "no means no" method of mitigating sexual violence on college campuses towards "yes means yes," suggesting that in too many instances, intoxication or other form of incoherence is an automatic green light for sex. I can only hope that events like these, and continual education on sex and gender equality can perpetuate positive change.
http://icati.catishack.com/uploads/MichaelTOlague/MichaelTOlague-15108582238-20141027-1414384647.1989.mp3
Listening to the different people talk about there experiences was very memorable to me too. I am one of those people who you talk about bottling up their emotions and I very rarely talk about things I am dealing with emotionally. It was very uplifting to see people who were able to talk about traumatic things that had happened to them in the past.
ReplyDeleteKalena Mellott
I agree with your post one-hundred percent. So often, we hear stories about people who are involved in such awful and threatening situations that they are scared to death to bring it up to anyone. Just like one of the speakers said at the event, most of the time, the victims of sexual assault either do not tell others about what is troubling them, because either 1. They are unaware of what sexual assault really is or 2. They fear that if they spoke of their situation to anyone, they will endure further punishment from their perpetrators. I would never put people that I love so deeply in to that sort of situation. However, it seems that despite how many people you have trying to help you, it is up to the victim to speak up and say "enough is enough." Victims, speak out and let your voices be heard! Only then will the process back to a more normal lifestyle begin.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post, there are so many people out there that had their rights violated and they have not told anyone. These people that shared their stores are so strong, they have no more fear of what others would think. I believe that anyone who had their rights violated should tell everyone out there so that they can have their justice and receive help from others such as physical and emotional help.
ReplyDeleteIt was clear that the people participating in this even had personal investment in it. I'm glad events like this exist to spread awareness and to share real stories so that others can see what a problem assault is and how it's more common than we'd like to believe.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Quintanilla