BEING A GEAR FOR CHANGE
Social change doesn't happen instantly. It takes a driving force of passionate people that are always involved. It takes learning, teaching, and small victories to make a difference in society. In light of recent events at my university, I wanted to take a stand with others against our school administration's passive attitude in handling sexual assault.
I took time to participate in a rally, but I knew that was only part of the process. That was the first step; getting the attention of the university and those passing by.
Photo by Daily Emerald
I knew this was a subject I felt strongly about. I wanted to guarantee safety to every student on campus, and for blame and stigma to be removed from the image of survivors. A lot of things had to change, but among the first to me was educating our student body about sexual assault and how to talk about it, in order to avoid misconceptions and biases. Working with the women's publication I ran, Her Campus Oregon, and alongside the National Association of Black Journalists, we decided to put on an event that related to our positions. We planned a writer's workshop/forum on how to discuss sexual assault in journalism, and contacted S.W.A.T (the Sexual Wellness Awareness Team) to speak at our event. We also contacted a Women's and Gender Studies teacher, Elizabeth Miller, and Media Studies teacher, Bryce Peake, to speak at our event. The following day we also planned a free all-inclusive self-defense class.
It's my first time since coming to college that I feel like I'm a part of something big and with a great power to change. Before I graduate, I want to continue to do great things with this cause.
Social change doesn't happen instantly. But with enough determination and passion, it's amazing what just students can do.