I have been away from the campus environment for a little over a year now.
It is funny how fast you forget about the environment around you, when you move to the “big kid” world. I was a huge advocate for feminism and activism in undergrad.
After graduation though, I worked for various jobs where, at all of them, I was afraid to show my feminist or activist side.
People around me seemed to be concerned with the work in front of them, instead of the work that needed to be done around them.
When I decided to come back to school, I was so excited because I would be in a campus environment again where things mattered to people.
Where people would be excited to go to speakers and events and actually have a passion to solve the problems of the world.
This is why I am writing to you today. I was asked to write an article about feminist issues in today’s society.
Though, there are plenty to choose from, one today, is really sticking out to me. Chris Brown.
I am not sure why, but I know some of you like Chris Brown.
I suppose I can see that his music appeals to some people, and he is an icon for his body.
But, what I don’t understand is how easily people forget.
Or how easily people can just separate who people are and what they do. I cannot bring myself to like or listen to someone that is a perpetrator.
While walking on campus today I heard people listening to his music.
It has a beat. It might make you want to dance. But don’t forget the deeds of the man who made that music.
Has everyone forgotten that he sexually and physically abused a woman, if not many women?
Well, if you did, he has reminded everyone this week.
He got a tattoo on the side of his neck, of what appears to be a battered woman’s face. It’s almost like he is proud of it.
For the victim blamers out there, who blamed Rihanna for the abuse and for those of you who said she must have deserved it or wanted it?
Look at Chris Brown’s neck. The only person you should be blaming in any abuse case is the abuser.
We have the opportunity not only to live in a country where human rights exist, but we are privileged enough to work or study on a university campus where we are allowed to voice our own opinions.
We should defend that right by standing up for not only civil rights, but human rights.
We have to remember that when we in anyway praise a perpetrator, we are revictimizing the survivor.
We should not be a bystander, but a leader in the battle to end violence.
If abuse is an issue that you feel strongly about or if you have been or are a victim of abuse, there are services and organizations on this campus that can help you.
Visit the Women’s Center or any student support center to get involved in programs, clubs or events that pertain to this topic.
