Focused feminism

Take Back the Night did what 'Fair' missed

In an attempt to show off the friendlier face of feminism last week, the organizers of the annual Feminist Fair decided to serve up popcorn and cotton candy to complement their usual proselytizations. Feminist Unite, one of the fair's organizers, was trying to fight myths about feminism's negativity and aggressiveness. But as evidenced by the fair's dismal turnout, they probably could have used a little more aggressiveness, at least in promotion. It's hard to say how much the moonwalk looming over the Diag managed to soften feminism's image, but the organizers probably should have stuck to tradition. Unlike this one, the Feminist Fairs of years passed were heavily attended, even without the "non-abrasive popcorn environment," as one Feminist Unite member put it.

While the Feminist Fair clearly wasn't constructive, another annual event broke with tradition this weekend in a much more successful manner, when the Take Back the Night rally and march welcomed men as participants for the first time in the event's 20 year history. Take Back the Night, which seeks to address the problems of sexual and domestic violence, included men this year because of the recognition that many of them have also been the victims of such violence. The inclusion of men is also a welcome change because men need as much, if not more, education about sexual and domestic violence as women. Those concerned with preventing these types of abuse should strive to bring more men into events such as Take Back the Night. The problems addressed at the rally, which also included rape and violence due to sexual orientation and gender, clearly cannot be effectively addressed by women alone and efforts to fight these problems should be as inclusive as possible. And more than just allowing broader participation is necessary. Everyone should realize how extensive the problems of sexualized violence are and should take opportunities such as Take Back the Night to really come to understand the seriousness of this problem and how widespread it really is.

Sexual violence is given far too little attention considering that one in four women and one in six men are victims of it. These problems, and the programs addressing them, are currently given far too little attention, especially by men. Real efforts to bring people to these events are necessary to make sure their message is more broadly disseminated. The organizers of these events in the future, especially of the Feminist Fair, should try to make sure these events are as inclusive and well-attended as possible, maybe through involving more student organizations or maybe through better advertising. Cotton candy doesn't hurt, but it also doesn't seem to help any women. Activists efforts can be better utilized by in a more productive manner.

Besides the Feminist Fair and Take Back the Night, people should be using every chance they have to learn more about sexual violence and what they can do to help prevent it. Such serious and rampant societal problems require more attention and education than they currently receive for any serious gains to be made in the fight against them.