The Observer, April 21, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25
Students stand up to violence at Take Back the Night
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"Two, Four, Six, Eight, down with violence, down with hate!" Last Thursday, April 13, a group of students gathered to participate in Take Back the Night, which included marching through campus chanting the above mantra. Take Back the Night is an annual event that originated with the intention of raising awareness and speaking out against violence against women.
Take Back the Night isn't just a Case phenomenon – it's an international event. It was first held in Germany in 1973 as a response to an increasing number of rapes, sexual assaults, and murders. The focus was a concern for sexual violence against women at night. Today, the event has evolved into an opportunity for collective voices of all races, genders, and sexualities to express concerns about many kinds of violence, including a range of violent behaviors from domestic abuse to stalking to sexual assault. No matter what the form of violence, the issue voiced by participants in Take Back the Night is the same; it's an issue about an individual's right to walk down the street alone at night without fearing for his or her safety.
Case Western Reserve University's Take Back the Night event was sponsored by the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA), a student group representing the interests of those who are pro-choice, pro-equality, pro-LGBT rights, anti-discrimination, anti-violence, and most importantly, pro-civil rights for everyone. The Take Back the Night march began on North Side and wended its way towards Kelvin Smith Library. The participants gathered were small in numbers, but large in their enthusiasm. Leading the way for this passionate group comprised of both men and women, armed with a loudspeaker, was co-president of the FMLA, Tiffany Kenison. Throughout the march, the group chanted a series of mantras addressing the issue of violence.
Participants had hoped that passers-by would join the effort and strengthen their voice through numbers. Unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledge about the event and ensuing finals, most students in the area said they were "too busy" to join in the march. Members of FMLA and those that participated in the march expressed frustration with the general student population's lack of understanding regarding violence. One FMLA member commented that "most students do not think violence against women is a problem on the Case campus, or maybe they believe in the cause but they are too busy to contribute to fighting for it." Another participant complained that "people just stood there and looked at us as if we were aliens. Nobody made any move to contribute." Despite the apparent lack of contribution from the surrounding community, members of FMLA persevered and were able to organize a meaningful vigil following the march.
The vigil was held on the lawn in front of KSL. Participants sat in a circle holding candles and took turns sharing stories and reflections, in honor of individuals who have been victimized by violence. Those responsible for organizing the vigil organized the use of a speaker system, allowing passers-by to take part in the experience. The vigil served as an opportunity for victims of violence to share their stories and for others to listen and share their support. It would be an understatement to say that the event was "moving" or "emotional." One courageous individual shared her story of a childhood damaged by physical and verbal abuse. This brave young woman expressed that she looks forward to Take Back the Night every year because it allows her an opportunity to share openly and receive support for her emotions, experiences, and thoughts related to the events of her childhood. Her story created meaningful dialogue among the group about a range of issues related to violence, such as how to identify an abuser and how to help a friend that has been a victim of violence. Victims of domestic and sexual violence expressed similar sentiments that communication and support are vital to both preventing violence and helping a victim move on with his or her life.
Case's FMLA-sponsored Take Back the Night march and vigil were emotionally and intellectually fulfilling events for those who participated. Hopefully, in the future, more Case students will take a few minutes out of their evening to show their support for every individual's right to be able to walk alone at night and feel safe.
