From the Inbox: YorkU Activism Against Violence Against Women

Taken directly from my women's studies listserv:

In light of the recent sexual assaults on campus, The York Federation of Students along with other community organizations will be holding the following events.

*********
Forum for Women and Trans people only!
Stand Up Speak Out
End Violence Against Women.

An opportunity for women and Tran people to openly discuss issues of safety, security and violence effecting them.

When: Wed Sept 19th
Time:3-6pm
Where: 430 Student Centre

Women Unite, Reclaim the Night!
Rally and March: End Violence Against Women and Tran people
***Note: Rally- everyone is welcome
March- For women and Tran people only

When: Wed Sept 19th
Time: 7-9pm
Location: In front of Vari Hall

This event is brought to you by:
York Federation of Students
York University Grad Students Association
SASSL - Sexual Assault Survivor's Support line
Centre for Women and Trans people
The Office of the Ombudsperson & Centre for Human Rights

For more information please contact: Gilary Massa at 647-869-2101, vpequity@yfs.ca

Once again, I get to be a bad feminist, ironically because one of my women's studies classes coincides with these dates, but I strongly encourage everyone who can make it to go, or support it in one way or the other. Almost every year I've been at York, and there have been many, there has been a sexual assault and violent attack on women. What is the school year, it seems, without a campus security alert? Though, in light of what I've read in the past about the way some schools have dealt with (or rather NOT dealt with) on-campus rapists, I am grateful that at least York is warning us and letting us know that these assaults are happening.

Upcoming Event: Ladyfest Toronto 2007!

Check it out!

From September 27th to the 30th of this year 2007, Toronto will be graced with the yearly riot-grrl inspired festival LADYFEST!

Festival passes are available for purchase now, as well the schedule of performances and workshops and venues are listed up over at the Ladyfest homepage.

Shameless self-promotion bit:

Yours truly will be having my art project, also entitled "Electric Furr", on view at this event. My work steals from the comic book format of storytelling in order to engage the viewer about my ambiguous feelings surrounded body hair. This work was a year long labour of love, which I am proud to present at Ladyfest. When I find out its exact location, this witch will be sure to let you all know. I'm very excited to be a part of this amazing festival of feminist art and activism!

Other far-more-amazing-then-me artists to check out include:
Masia One!
Julie Doiron!
Shameless Dames!
Freeshow Seymour: the films of Allyson Mitchell and Christina Zeidler!

and SO MUCH MORE!

Come check it out! See what's going on in feminism in Toronto.

I'll be most definitely posting some reminders closer to the dates!

Whoo!

Important Upcoming Event (Toronto, On)

Well, I feel like a bad feminist.

Via York's Women's Studies listserve, I have discovered that there is a Take Back the Night event happening on Saturday, September 8, 2007. Unfortunately, my tickets for Vfest are the same day.

Sigh.

*Hangs head in shame* I SWEAR, I bought these tickets back in May as an anniversary gift for me and the boy. It broke the bank for me to get these tickets.

I really think these kinds events are important to attend, so in the very least, I thought I would pass it along and post it here as an upcoming event. Here is the information, straight from my inbox:

Toronto’s 27th Annual Take Back the Night
“We Demand Our Rights”


The Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape (TRCC/MWAR) and community partners from Regent Park host the 27th annual Take Back the Night protest and march on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at Allan Gardens Community Park, main intersections Sherbourne St & Gerrard St.


This year’s theme is ‘We Demand Our Rights’. Take Back the Night is about bringing visibility and exposure to the impact of sexual violence in women’s lives. It’s a space created to ensure our voices are heard.

[...]

“The TBTN march is an event organized by feminist grassroots, anti-violence & anti-oppression activist groups all around the world with a focus on women’s rights & safety for women and children.” says Grissel Orellana, TRCC/MWAR outreach & community development Coordinator. A community fair, rally and protest march has been organized. The march is for women and children only, men are encouraged to attend in solidarity, by participating in the other activities, including the provision of childcare so their partners, mothers, sisters, and aunties can march. TBTN is a Trans -Positive, wheelchair accessible event with ASL interpretation, childcare, food and refreshments.

[...]

You can take action by attending Take Back the Night, spreading the word in your communities and to every woman you know, and marching with us on Sept. 8th. The community fair starts at 5:30pm at the Sherbourne Health Centre 333 Sherbourne Street, rally at 7:00pm at the Allan Gardens Park, and the march at 8:00pm.

The rally and march starts pretty late, so I think I'm going to try and be there.

Popcan Review

So we hit up "The Pop Can Poll" reception over at the Lennox, and I must say with the help of a few glasses of wine as the night progressed, we had a pretty good time.

The artist, Les Paterson, spent the last two months collecting as many pop cans as possible, flattening them down, and making them into postcards to be sent the House of Commons. Already, Canada Post has been giving him some trouble.

I have to admit, I wasn't crazy about the mixed media popcan paintings up for sale. However, the activist element of this show is what really perked me up to this artist.

The crux of his project is to allow people to voice their complaints (or compliments...though it seems like mostly complaints)about the government and to address the pop can postcards to a wide variety of politicians within the House of Commons. While people brought up many issues amongst the cans displayed on the wall, such as Aboriginal rights, women's rights, family care, health care, institutionalized racism and other equally important concerns amongst Canadian citizens, there was an overwhelming theme about environmental responsibility.

And really, the use of discarded aluminum makes a great impact for that concern in particular. Stephen Harper's government has been notoriously lax on environmental issues, even in the face of David Suzuki's tireless activism as well as world summits that have called Canada to task. In true Harper style, our prime minister has not said much in response. I can imagine all sorts of reactions from the House of Commons on receiving can after can after can of political discontent. Hopefully, none of the reactions will include a complete shunning of the cans. Hopefully.

All unmoderated by the artist, the cans thus allow anyone with different views from Paterson to be allowed to speak. There were a few cans addressed to Jack Layton to be found amongst the Harper critics. I think that its important that the cans be allowed this kind of freedom of speech; it can only be truly democratic if everyone feels like they can freely have a say. Different opinions are important to respect, especially in a political climate, and be made available for open dialogue. I think these pop cans, by being openly displayed in a large space, do a good job of addressing this diversity of concern and opinion.

This show is going on for quite some time. I recommend everyone have a look and take the opportunity to have such a creative say. A box is set up so you can drop your can and contribute to the mass mailing of our culture's environmental waste. Maybe if the politicians take notice of the inherent eco-message, all those other concerns addressed may get a chance as well.

While you're there, be sure to check out the neighbouring bookwork show up on the second floor. Some pretty inventive and thoughtful stuff is on display.

"The Pop Can Poll" is on until August 19th.