GREAT TED TALK!

Breaking the silence! 

Domestic violence and sexual abuse are often called "women’s issues.” But in this bold, blunt talk, Jackson Katz points out that these are intrinsically men’s issues -- and shows how these violent behaviors are tied to definitions of manhood. A clarion call for us all -- women and men -- to call out unacceptable behavior and be leaders of change.

http://www.ted.com/talks/jackson_katz_violence_against_women_it_s_a_men_s_issue.html?utm_campaign=&awesm=on.ted.com_JacksonKatz&utm_content=awesm-publisher&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=on.ted.com-static

Post-Trip Service and Awareness Event

Now that we have returned from our trip we are all still trying to BREAK the SILENCE surrounding domestic violence. The day before Maryland Day some of us headed over to Mckeldin Mall to chalk, our favorite way to ignite conversation about the issue of domestic violence. We chatted with a few people and Testudo even appeared and helped us out! Amber, one of the participants who will be leading the Knoxville trip next year, recently put on an Awareness event concerning domestic violence for her class. At the end of the talk, we rolled up tiny sheets of paper with facts and help numbers concerning domestic violence and hid them in empty lipstick tubes. This is a tactic that some domestic violence help centers use to provide their clients with safe references; potential abusers often don't look inside of lipstick tubes for help resources. Keep an eye out around campus for Amber's lipstick campaign! Here are a few pictures of the awareness event and our post trip service

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Continuing to Break the Silence

This afternoon a few of us attended a social seminar focusing on the issue of domestic violence. This seminar was led by one of our own group members- Amber Ferguson. We began the event by eating some delicious food supplied from Moby Dick's.  After we ate Amber began by introducing the issue of domestic violence and encouraging the audience to be interactive. We talked about different forms of domestic/intimate partner violence including cyber stalking. We then discussed some of the myths relating to this issue and our feelings about whether or not we believed it to be true. One of the myths we discussed was the idea that alcohol/drugs cause people to become violent. I responded on this myth because although I know it is not true I do believe that it is very prevalent and is often used as a scapegoat for perpetrators. We ended the event by doing a fun activity to help spread awareness. As we have learned it is important for people to become aware and feel comfortable reaching out for help. To do this we rolled up little sheets of paper that had contact information and places that offer services to victims and stuck them inside of empty lipstick containers. Everyone who attended the event took some of the lipsticks to hand out to people on campus. This was a creative way to spread awareness and we had fun doing it! Overall, it was a fun event that brought a few of us back together to focus on the same goal: breaking the silence. Although domestic violence is a very large issue it is little steps like this that can add up to make a difference! Our trip is over but our desire to keep making a difference on this issue will be with us forever. Thank you Amber for putting on this event!

Post-Trip Service At Its Finest

I had an absolute blast participating in our domestic violence service work down in Knoxville with my lovely ASB ladies, and I really thought that such an amazing experience could never be duplicated. But after today, I've realized how wrong I was.

It began with a few of us meeting in Hornbake Plaza at the University of Maryland. We had one box of chalk, some facts and figures, and a vision in our heads. Soon Shahana, Abbey, Nicole, Lisa, and I set to work transforming the circle into a colorful monument to domestic violence victims by educating passersby on various statistics related to such abuse.

After a few more of our group joined in, mainly, Jackie, Mary, Sydney, Mia, and Amber, we headed down to McKeldin mall where we continued to write statistics and shocking messages along the sidewalk. Many people were taking interest and it felt unbelievable to capture their attention with a message and topic that desperately needs more awareness.

The main reason as to why this was such a meaningful activity was because it mirrored the service we all performed down in Knoxville. We had chalked in Market Square two days of our visit and had a great time getting to know each other while helping other people to get to know our cause. And today, while other people still got to know our cause, we got to reconnect and reestablish ourselves in each others' lives.

I never thought what we achieved in Knoxville could be repeated, but if all of us continue meeting and dedicating ourselves to the cause and each other, there's nothing we can't do.

AB Reunion

Today we had AB Reunion. All of the Alternative Break teams got together to share our experience.

AB interns, coordinators, and alumni gave us the speeches. We got to know that there will be a resource packet which includes everything related to the AB trips. Videos from all groups were played on the big screen.

We also did some activities together. 

First, we did a reflection where we tried to think about our values, what we did during the trip and what we are going to do after the trip. And we tried to relate them together.  

Second, We read and signed the pledge together.

"I am a Breaker and I am an active member of my community. 

 I pledge…

To stay connected to my community

To remember my Alternative Breaks experience, the people I met, and the communities I served.

To deepen my understanding of the social, political ad economic structures of our world.

To think critically about how social justice issues affect people and communities

To take actions that will change the world to be more socially just.

I pledge to carry this commitment with me this year & beyond. " 

Last, we broke into groups. We talked about the plan of chalking on Maryland Day.

It was good to see some of us and to see other Alternative Breakers. I'm looking forward to seeing all of us again! 

"Our friendships will be the start of a movement!"

Today marked the end of a very eye-opening, emotional, at times disturbing, but most of all an extremely positive trip, filled with new insights, open discussions, deep reflections, and most importantly, new bonds and friendships that will last a very long time.

Our nine-hour drive back from Knoxville was notably different from the one down just seven days ago. We were now best friends, having witnessed and experienced a lot together, and for many of us, opened up about our own personal experiences.  This may sound biased, but I don't think any other group has formed the level of closeness that we have within this week.

To be honest, I knew we would get along the very first day. Each of us brought our own unique perspectives, personalities, quirks, and stories into one common passion and this mix just blended so well! The amount of trust and support we had for each other was personally inspiring for me, and I hope to bring everything I've learned from this experience into every new relationship I form from here.

As we'd discussed, domestic violence is a serious issue that is not talked about enough because it is fraught with unnecessary stigmas and misleading information, leaving many voices unheard.  On this trip, I met people and heard stories from a variety of backgrounds, and I cannot applaud enough the strength and courage in the people I had the honor to meet. It is this strength that has inspired me to be an advocate and do everything I can in my ability to Break The Silence.

I honestly cannot ask for a better group of people to fight this injustice with; I am so glad I met you all.  Here's to much much more of chalking, flyering, frank discussions, lunches and dinners, thrift-shopping, peanut-butter eating, Zumba-ing (yes, I'll do it this time), sleepovers and movie nights! Oh, and we still need to go to a concert together!

Love you all <3

Inmates and Insights

Today began in the Blount County courthouse where we listened to presentations on the dangers of technology, elder abuse, and the presence of domestic violence. We also got to sit in on a few domestic violence trials in the court and speak to the judge about his viewpoints on the situation. They engaged us in the action, kept the conversation friendly, and provided great food which we couldn't stay away from (I know I will dream of those biscuits tonight).

We decided to end the visit with a tour of the jail. It was a bit disturbing to see first hand what kind of conditions the inmates were subjected to, and kind of put a damper on the night for a lot of us. But, it also lead to a great discussion about how we need to balance punishment with humanity.

Thankfully, to mellow out the mood, we decided to play a game and bake cookies at the end of the night. While I sadly succeed in burning the bottoms of a few cookies, the first impressions game was a complete success. We went through our group and chose one person to talk about and share our first impression of them. But soon it just became a chance to tell how and why we love each other so much.

Our topic, domestic violence, is a very personal issue for a lot of people, and that only served to bring us closer together. With so much tension and worry, we all needed each other in a way that no other group could ever relate to. And with all of the positive thoughts and loving messages flowing, I have never been so proud to be a part of anything. While it felt great to receive the comments, and be described as an intelligent Pooh Bear, it felt even better to give those compliments. I truly love each and every one of these girls and feel so blessed to have been put on this trip. They all bring something unique and absolutely essential to our mission, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for being exactly who they are.