On Campus Event 1

For one of my on-campus events, I attended the SESA Take Back the Night rally and rave. We arrived at 8 on the mall to begin. There was a pretty decent sized group- I would say about twenty people or so showed up, both male and female. Brady was there, which was a pleasant surprise, because I was unaware that he is actually a member of SESA. I don’t know if you’ll read this Brady, but I think that the fact that you are a member of such an awesome group, who has such a powerful and important message is really, really amazing. Anyways, we met at the mall, and we walked around campus chanting various slogans. The two call and responses that we did were –SU Unite: Take Back the Night, and break the silence: end the violence! It was a pretty cool experience for sure; I’ve done peace marches in Austin before, and I really enjoy being out among other passionate people, trying to inspire change. Our path took us by Herman-Brown and Moody-Shearn, then to Lord Center, and down the road between McCombs and the DLC. We then went through the freshman dorms, finally ending at the mall. There, we went around in the circle and talked about our experiences with violence, or potential violence, and what taking back the night meant to all of us. I personally (and thankfully) have never been touched by sexual violence, but I have a good friend who has been, which absolutely breaks my heart. The worst part is that she has not yet come to terms with it, and she still blames herself for what happened, although if she saw herself as I (and everyone she meets) see her, she would know what an incredible, inspirational person she is, and how much I value her in my life. This event really inspired me to try and create in myself more understanding for the things she is dealing with, and hopefully one day I will be able to hug her and tell her how amazing she is, and that it isn’t her fault. Unfortunately, I can only wait though, because I know that this is something she has to come to terms with on her own, and all I can do is be a shoulder to cry on, or a friend to listen. I think that personally that is the worst part; the fact that she is dealing with this, and all I can do is wait. I think that is why sexual assault is so absolutely awful. From what I’ve seen, it affects people to their very core, and places the burden of getting over it entirely on them, while the perpetrator is free to continue. I am really glad I went to this event, although I didn’t stay for the rave after, because I had far too much homework. I hope that SESA continues doing what they’re doing, because their message is to important to be kept in silence.