Week 5 Activism Log

Activism:

This week was a little sister meeting for YWLP, and we started with our traditional introduction of our highs and lows for the week. In our prior big sister meetings we designed phone books for our little sisters, so that they could make a list of responsible and trusted older individuals that they can talk to. This is especially important since Seminole County is an abstinence only county and we can’t discuss sex and issues related to sex with the girls. The phone book included resources to share issues with. We played the Cross the Line game in which a series of questions was asked, and the girls and big sisters crossed the line if it was relevant to them. We discussed our feelings after the activity, and how we felt to either cross the line or stay back even when we knew we SHOULD be crossing the line. The little sisters handled the activity beautifully and had lots of things to say. We had sister time, and then the meeting culminated with the girls coming up with rules (ABC’s) of conflict resolution, and an interesting end fun activity.

Reflection:

I was nervous as to how I’d connect the activities that we performed with our little sisters, and the main topic for this week was Women against Violence. My little sister however discussed past issues that involved domestic violence between the adults in her life. My little sister reminded me of something I read in the Radical Pleasure article we discussed this week. The male in my little sister’s situation reminded me of the people who perpetuate violence, and how they themselves are victims (Kirk, 284). I also realized that her story related to giving perpetrators of violence power and thus them having an impact on your life because that situation was exactly what was occurring in her life during that time;  I tried to provide guidance and just lend an ear to help her cope with the old pain from the situation. I reassured her that it wasn’t her fault, and that the issue of the adults in her life and their experiences shouldn’t affect how she treats them.

Reciprocity:

I believe this week’s message is imperative, and that all young women should be educated on the statistics and occurrences of Violence against Women. It is also important to note that you never know exactly who a person is, and just because you know them from school or are familiar with them doesn’t make them trustworthy. Discussing these issues with my little sister felt amazing because I felt that I helped provide a positive outlet for my little sister to express her frustrations and worrying about the adults in her life. YWLP has opened my eyes on how to be more understanding of issues, and find effective ways to relating with my little sister and those that may need an ear to listen.

 

Kirk, Gwyn and Margo Okazawa- Rey. "Women's Bodies, Women's Health." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. Kirk, Gwyn and Margot Okazawa- Rey. McGraw Hill, 2010. 283-284.

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