I don’t consider myself an activist. Certainly not in the protesting, camping, marching, sit-in, or public voice kind of way. I admire people with the conviction and strength to do those things. I appreciate that they do the things I can not (or choose not to) do.
I think I’m more of a quiet change agent. I work on myself, and share what I learn with those in my direct circle. I sign petitions for causes I really believe in, though I don’t often publicize that I’ve done so. I donate to a few charities I feel have integrity and make a difference.
Yesterday was “V Day”, which for most people means Valentines Day. For me, it was VDAY, Vagina Day, a day to end violence against women. Ten years ago (oh my goodness, I can’t believe it was that long ago!), I directed The Vagina Monologues for the Comox Valley Women’s Centre, which has since had to close its doors because the government didn’t think it was worth paying for any longer.
V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sex slavery.
The Vagina Monologues is just one of the vehicles they use to accomplish this mission. And it is one way I felt like I could be an activist oh so many years ago. This year, V-Day added One Billion Rising to their repertoire of ways to get the message out there.
Trigger warning: abuse and graphic scenes
The Campbell River Women’s Centre is presenting The Vagina Monologues this year, and they also held a One Billion Rising flash mob along with hundreds of other communities around the world on Valentines Day. I had the honor of participating. Here’s the song we danced to:
I may not be an activist in the traditional sense of the word, but I can dance. I encourage you to watch these videos, go sign the petition, and go see your local production of The Vagina Monologues. Help end violence around the world. Because no one should ever have to experience it.
Blessings,
Mary
It felt weird for me this year *NOT* getting involved at all in a V-Day campaign. I have some issues with One Billion Rising as I dont’ think we really need *another* awareness campaign. We need to be DOING SOMETHING about violence against women.
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I haven’t been actively involved in a V-Day campaign for several years (it was really tough for me to not be more involved this year, although personal burnout was not a pretty option). I admit, I was a little surprised that instead of a specific focus this year, like Afghanistan or Bosnia or Native American women, they chose One Billion Rising. They probably haven’t covered EVERYWHERE in the world, and yet I imagine they are having a hard time finding specific areas to focus on, and this kind of covers them all.