Intro to self defense for LGBTQI people
Join us to learn: Skills for preventing harassment attack and abuse….
How to stop a threatening situation with words… Physical moves to use
against common attacks
We’ll address the range of situations you might encounter, from the
annoying to the dangerous, including abusive relationships and hate
crimes. Though you might never have to use the physical techniques, you’ll
use the confidence, skills, and attitude every day.
The Saartjie Project, a collective of artists and activists exploring the life and legacy of Saartjie (Sara) Baartman is taking to the stage this August!
ABOUT THE SAARTJIE PROJECT
The Saartjie Project is a community-based organization that uses theatre, coalition building and art as catalysts for self-expression, re-definition and healing for Black women, girls and their communities.
Saartjie (Sara) Baartman was a South African woman exhibited throughout Britain and Paris, showing what to Europeans were highly unusual bodily features – her buttocks, breasts and vagina. From 1810 to 1815 she became an object, used at will and freely disposed of by those who robbed her of her identity.
This summer we bring her story to life through song, dance and spoken word. Jasmine Coles, Creative Advisor to The Saartjie Project said, “We are extremely excited about the production and are committed to using art as a catalyst of self-expression, self-definition and healing.
Join us!” Performances will be held at the DC Arts Center, 2438 18th Street, NW on August 22nd and August 23rd. The show begins at 7:30pm nightly. A portion of the proceeds will go to HIPS, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt community based organization in Washington DC. For additional information on The Saartje Project or ticket sales, contact Jessica Solomon or visit The Saartjie Project official website, www.thesaartjieproject.org.
The Saartjie Project will perform in Washington DC at the DC Arts Center on August 22nd and 23rd at 7:30pm.
Join the DC Kings for a special fundraiser for the DC Rape Crisis Center!
DC Drag King Show and Fundraiser
Sunday April 13
7pm door, 9pm show
$5 cover—portion of proceeds will go to DCRCC
Location: Phase1
The DC Rape Crisis Center provides free services to survivors of sexual assault – including culturally competent services to LGBTQ survivors – and raises awareness about these issues in communities across DC. Join the DC Kings, the world’s longest-running drag king troupe, in supporting the work of DCRCC!
For more about DCRCC visit http://www.dcrcc.org/home.htm.
For more about the DC Kings visit http://www.dckings.com.
Film Screening:
“The Greatest Silence: Rape In Congo”
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
7:00pm- 9:00pm
Sankofa Video and Bookstore
2714 Georgia Avenue, NW
Sponsored by:
DC Rape Crisis Center
For more information, call Ericka at 202-232-0789, ext. 6027
Shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this film examines the silence that surrounds the plight of women caught in the conflict of war.
TEMPO’s latest documentaries have just been released in full on Women of Color Resource Center’s (WCRC) website.
Click here to listen to both provocative pieces on Oakland’s underage sex trade and the representation of women of color in hip-hop.
Source: WCRC
Biden and Lugar Introduce International Violence Against Women Act
Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), the chair and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced yesterday the International Violence Against Women Act. The bill was written with the input and expert advice of over 100 NGOs focusing on gender-based violence, human rights, health care, international development and aid, including the Women’s Edge Coalition, the Feminist Majority, Amnesty International, the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, and Human Rights Watch.
WEST VIRGINIA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
WOMEN OF COLOR CAUCUS STATEMENT
ON THE CASE OF MEGAN WILLIAMS
October 1, 2007
We, the Women of Color Caucus of the West Virginia Coalition of Domestic
Violence, stand in solidarity with allies and in partnership with Tonya
Lovelace of the national Women of Color Network from Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, and issue this statement of concern for Megan Williams and
outrage for the crimes committed against her person.
Megan Williams, a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a victim of
domestic and sexual violence as well as a victim of hate crimes based on
race and gender. In addition, Megan is a victim of the criminal justice
system, of the media and of the community at large, all of whom failed to
acknowledge the fullness of her humanity as a woman of color, as a woman
with a disability, and as a young woman who experienced extreme torture,
dehumanization and gang rape.
We are concerned that the criminal justice system failed her by bringing her
case of bad checks into the media at the time of Megan’s initial recovery.
While she may have some charges of her own to contend with, the timing of
Megan’s public arraignment served only to downplay the violence she
experienced and diverted attention away from the central issue of her
surviving atrocious crimes perpetrated by offenders in callous disregard for
her safety. Many women exposed to violence have criminal histories often
accumulated as a result of being connected to an abusive partner. Megan’s
victimization must remain central in the media as well as in the systems
that claim to “serve and protect” her and other victims of violence.
We as women of color and allies in West Virginia identify Megan as a
survivor and as a woman who represents dozens of women of color who are
mistreated, mishandled, disrespected and often dehumanized across this state
and across the country. Violence against women of color is often viewed
within the context of stereotypes held by police officers, attorneys, judges and
even advocates. Women of color may express anger at the scene; may have
little money; may have several children; and may fulfill every stereotype.
But regardless of life circumstances, women of color deserve support,
assistance, protection and fairness.
We believe that the crimes committed against Megan are rooted in racism,
sexism, and ableism. All women must be, heard, acknowledged and treated with
dignity and respect by the criminal justice systems and all other systems
seeking to address violence against women. Violence against women must be
taken seriously or there will be more Megans who will suffer at the hands of
others whose bias-motivated behaviors inflict great harm. As such, we are
looking for accountability for those who hurt her, for due process, and for
each and every person to evaluate themselves and see what each of us can
do to make a difference and to see where we may have collectively failed
Megan.
We are calling upon each of you to take a stand on gender and racially
motivated crime. We are calling for legal reform that recognizes the
interplay of hateful gender and racial epithets uttered during the
commission of violent crimes committed against those of protected classes.
We are calling for the media to offer fair portrayals of victims and to be responsible in
seeking multiple voices. We are calling for the criminal justice system as
a whole to take violence against women seriously and to hold batterers
accountable for their actions. We are calling for advocates to integrate
violence against women of color and other marginalized groups into the heart
of the work of creating safety in communities around the state and across
the nation. We are calling for men to check male privilege and engage in
the work of ending male violence against women. And finally, we call upon
women of color and people of color to stand up, be heard, and offer support
to Megan and her family. With all of us working together, we can bring the
issue of violence against women and hate crimes to the forefront.
We stand in solidarity with Megan Williams and support all efforts that
respond with justice and accountability to the plight of victims brave
enough to reveal their identity and their hope for change.
###
For more information regarding this statement, please contact Kenyatta Grant
at West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, (304) 965-3552.
*This statement was developed by the West Virginia Coalition Against
Domestic Violence Women of Color Caucus and allies at the WV Summit on
Violence Against Women and was read to conference participants.
No! the Rape Documentary
Published October 19, 2008 Social Commentary , Video, Films, TV, & Radio , Violence Against Women Leave a CommentTags: advocacy, african american, anti-oppression, can a sista rock a mic, community, domestic violence, education, feminist, misogyny, No! the Rape Documentary, power-struggle, race, rape
I was privileged enough to attend a screening of No! the Rape Documentary that was a part of the “Can a Sista Rock a Mic?” festival.
(http://www.bgirlmanifesto.com/casram/)
The film featured many personal accounts of intra-racial rape within the african american community. it also traced the historical, social, and economic context in which rape has been ignored, persisted, and accepted. The film also traced the history of the black feminist movement and the involvement of lesbians at the forefront of the anti-violence/anti-oppression against women movement
during the post-screening discussion, two women stepped forward and talk about their own rape experiences. One man stepped forward and talked about how the film changed his own views about a women’s right to refuse sexual advances. and he talked about the importance of reaching the youth and about how in his capacity as a coach, he can instill in the young men that he coaches acceptable attitudes towards respecting women.
as with most screenings, the post film discussions are often enlightening, touching, and powerful. they provide such a great forum to share, learn and find community!