Activism Log 10

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
May 3, 2010

Activism Log10

Activism 

This past week, I have just been tying up loose ends and following up on things started throughout the last couple of months. I have been speaking with Barry about a possible future event at Sweets. I went to the dog park for the first time in a while last week as well, and people that I had  not seen in about a month still recognized me as the "Animal Safehouse Girl".  They came up to me and told me how they had told their friends and asked if I had any fliers with me. I unfortunately did not but I told them about the website and other ways of getting information.

Reflection    

Talking to Barry and having him still be interested in Animal Safehouse gives me hope. Hope that what I put so much effort into trying to make work was actually going to pay off at some point. I like knowing that it all was not for nothing, even though I know that sometimes this happens in activism. "Feeling that an action has failed is disheartening and may lead people to give up, assuming that creating change is hopeless. But action always accomplishes something..."(Kirk,Okazawa-Rey 586).  There may be road blocks along the way but no great thing has ever been accomplished easily. I know that if any of us activists want to see change soon, we will have to back track sometimes to keep moving forward. Women will only see equality if we step up and make the change for ourselves. "The epidemic of violence against women is so vast and so pervasive that it is nearly unspeakable. But fortunately, women are speaking. We are speaking out and saying NO MORE" (Seely 209).

 

Reciprocity

When I went to the dog park last week and people recognized me as the "Animal Safehouse Girl", I was not upset that they did not remember my name. Instead I was extremely proud to be pinned to such an amazing organization. I was glad that people associated me with something so meaningful and powerful. It felt amazing to know that they just did not hear me talking about Animal Safehouse that they actually listened and took in what I was saying, and what I said stuck with them. That they are now spreading the word to their friends. That in itself has made these last couple of months, all the planning, time and dead ends so much more worth it. 
    Work Cited


Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey.Creating Change: Theory,Vision, and Action.Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.583-598.

Activism Log 9

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 23, 2010

Activism Log 9

Activism

This past weekend I finally recieved a reply from Barry from Sweet! Unfortunately it was not in time for our event. I am going to respond in hopes that maybe we can arrange something anyways, and they will still be willing to help even though it is no longer for a class project. I am hoping that they will want to help regaurdless. Yesterday, at work, I was talking to 2 guests about animals. I started to mention Animal Safehouse and I was shocked and amazed that they had already heard about it. I asked where they had heard about it and they said they saw the Daily Buzz show! The show that Arielle and Leandra went on after I had met that lady at the dog park.

Reflection
   

     When talking to my two guests at work I realized that even though I am just a server I can still help spread the word of Animal Safehouse. I do not have a large audience or a microphone, but what I say can impact lives just as powerfully. "We can all do this. We all have it in ourselves; titles don't make us leaders. It is our actions that mean something and impact our community. It is our voices that inspire"(Seely 24). I really think Seely nailed it when she said that. "No act is too small" (Seely 24). I also like how I am speaking out against domestic abuse. I am helping women who are afraid to speak out for themselves. I am defying the idea that women are supposed to "beautiful but silent"(Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 235). I am actively aiding in the fight against violence, along side being an activist for womens rights. Just speaking out and not "fading into the background"(Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 235) makes me an activist and it feels good.

Reciprocity

    While Barry got back to me too late to hold the event for the class project, I am excited to know that there is still hope in doing the event just because and raise money for Animal Safehouse. It all goes back to things not turning out the way we may expect them too. I am begining to realize that although things do not go as planned, at least they are moving forward. I thought the Sweet! event would be a great oppurtunity for Animal Safehouse and was dissapointed when I thought it fell through, I am glad to know that things are looking up again. I am looking forward to still being a part of the Animal Safehouse group even after it is not for a grade.

Work Cited


Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey.The More you Subtract, the More You Add. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.231-242.

Activism Log 8

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 18, 2010



Activism Log 8



Activism

This week our group is done with our project and just tying up some loose ends. I have been looking back on activism logs and writing down my hours. I work at a restaurant where I can sit down and talk with my guests. The subject of animlas usually comes up whether it be because we discuss my major and how I want to go to vet school or I ask if they have pets. Whenever they do mention animals I always make sure to mention that I help with an Organization, Animal Safehouse and briefly mention what we do and where they can go to read more about it.

Refletion

"All voices, experiences, perspectives and visions, can be incorporated and represented, for we all  benefit from shared and practiced equality" (Seely 16). My voice at work, although small can reach many people. I love finding people outside of the dog park that love animals just as much as I do. I love spreading the word of Animal Safehouse to all those people. I know I am just one person, and Animal Safehouse is not vastly well known, but we all have a vision of what we would love Animal Safehouse to become, the word can spread with just one whisper.  "Visions ae about values, drawing from inside ourselves everything we value and daring to think big" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 585). With Animal Safehouse's vision, I am sure we have enough head, heart and hands to achieve anything we put our minds to.

Reciprocity

While our project is over and complete, I find peace in knowing that I am still so connected to Animal Safehouse and spend every second I can spreading its goal as I can. I love what Animal Safehouse does for not only animals, but as well as their owners. These women find themselves in situations they can not themselves get themselves out of. I have always been one to help others, and I love how I can help women, as well as fullfill my passion and life long dream of helping animals as well. Knowing that there are other people out there that care as much as I do about this subject keeps me going.


Work Cited

Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Creating Change Theory, Vision, and Action. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.583-598.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 14, 2010

Ecofeminism in Fried Green Tomatoes

    The movie Fried Green Tomatoes is based on Fanny Flaggs novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The movie begins with introducing Evelyn Couch, a self concsious, unhappy, middle aged, housewife, who escapes her dull life by meeting up with Ninny Threadgoode, a resident at the near by nursing home. Ninny's walls are covered in decorations of flowers, nature and memories. Ninny begins telling Evelyn a empowering story of two strong women, Idgie and Ruth, taking place in the depression era of the rural south. The two women's story, who's love and friendship got them through abusive husbands, children, death, and murder helped Evelyn Couch be strong in her own life.

    Women in the movie seemed to be run by men; Ruth and her abusive husband, Evelyn and her demanding husband. It seems that the women in the film represented nature, and oppresion of nature were the men. "Shiva (1988) noted that in the western model of development, sources, living things that can reproduce life--whether forests, seeds, or women's bodies -- are turned into resources to be objectified, controlled, and used" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 538). All the women in the story seemed to be more intuned to their own nature. Idgie and Ruth do not fall into the stereotypes women were expected to hold during that time. They were liberated, they smoke, gamble, drink, have a job, and speak their mind. Idgie's and Ruth's nature enlightend Evelyn to start standing up for herself in her own life. Idgie and Ruth are both more in touch with nature than Evelyn is. Idgie and Ruth enjoy the outdoors, Idgie, a tomboy likes getting dirty and relying on the environment, Evelyn takes this and using the nature she once overlooked, empowers herself. "Everyone is connected to the natural environment in the most mundane but prfound ways..."(Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 538).

    In the end of the movie Evelyn and Ninny find themselves in front of what used to be the Whistle Stop Cafe, the location of half the stories Ninny had been telling Evelyn. Ninny is distraught at the sight of the condemned spot. The same spot years ago, was so full of nature and life. Now all that was left was dirt and weeds. Ninny was looking forward to going back to the same lively spot she spoke so foundly of, instead she found nothing. No one had even cared to think twice of knocking down something that had meant so much to her. This goes to prove that although some people view nature as just a piece of land, that can be used to make money, many people see it as a home, a memory, a story. Land should be preserved, not wasted.

   

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women and the Environment. Women's Lives Multicultrual Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 535-549.

Activism Log 7

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 13, 2010

Activism Log 7

Activism

This week my group and I held the event at Louie and Maria's Italian restaurant on Sunday. Prior to the event, I fliered around the waterford area, as well as around my apartment complex. I also made announcements in my classes informing fellow classmates of the event, hoping that they could find time in their weekend schedule to support Animal Safehouse. The event went well, although we ran into several problems with the location itself. While the turnout was not very good, we as a group had collected many donations in the form of cash and supplies. The people who did come and support all brought something to donate. Arielle, came to the event and saw everything that we have been working towards and was very pleased with everything that we have done. As a group I feel like we had a big part in helping Animal Safehouse.


Refletion

This week,like last week, has shown me that somethings do not always work out as planned, but you have to keep on pushing towards your goal. The event, despite the several road bumps, and small turnout, did raise awareness to those who came. All that has to happen is those people tell their friends, who tell their friends, who tell their friends, and so on. Through the grapvine Animal Safehouse will be talked about and the word of it, and its goals will spread. "While you may be one person, your voice and actions can tough others, whose voices and actions can touch still others, and so forth until we experience change" (Seely 16). When first arriving to the event and seeing all the road blocks that had popped up, I was upset that we had worked so hard towards something that would be pointless, however, Arielle brought up a good point in saying that, even if we just talk to one person, we have informed one more person then we had before. "Feeling that an action has failed is disheartening and may lead people to give up, assuming that creating change is hopeless.
But action always accomplishes something, and in this sense it aways works"(Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 586).
Reciprocity
While the turnout of the even was a let down, the donations that were given were all great and highly appreciated. Many people donated prior to the event and could not show up to the actual event. Getting up in front of my classes to announce the event felt good. I felt like I was stepping up to the plate, and informing as many people as I can to what Animal Safehouse is trying to do. Although many students do not have animals, they were still able to relate to or feel for those women and children stuck in an abusive situation. Altthough non of my classmates ended up showing, I feel like my announcement should had perked some peoples ears and had not gone ignored.



Work Cited

Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.
 
 
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Creating Change Theory, Vision, and Action. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.583-598.

Personal Narrative Blog

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015

April 4, 2010

Girl Power and Post-War Iraq

       Riverbend is a very courageous woman. She faces a lot more daily trials, than many people in the states can not even begin to comprehend. In the her blog Girl Power and Post War Iraq dated September 16, 2003 she discusses Iraqi women and the troubles they face when traditional Iraqi life, dress, or attitude is not upheld. Women were beaten, raped, abducted forced into acting or dressing a certain way. "Perhaps one of the most far reaching effects of the war is the normalization of violence in everyday life, including violence against women by family members, acquaintances, or strangers..."(Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 504). Riverbend ties in discussions of militarization by discussing all these troubles Iraqi women are faced with due to the effects of the war. A young girl and her younger brother were abducted of the streets and brought to a place miles and miles away from their home, where they were beaten and held against their will, not allowed to eat or sleep. The only reason the two survived was one of the men felt mercy for them and helped them escape from the gang. Occurrences like this happen daily on a daily basis in Iraq.
    There are also some forms of a women's liberation going on as well. It is said that some Muslim extremists will go into public, private, and technical universities and remove all safirats, women who are not wearing a Hajib, and tell these women that if they return to class not wearing a hajib that they would not be allowed to return to class. There are banners and fliers around these campuses condemning these safirats. "A girl wearing jeans risks being attacked, abducted, or insulted by fundamentalists who have been...liberated!" (Riverbend 527). The women who choose to not follow the traditional Iraqi way of life, whatever their reasons may be, are taking baby steps and in their own way beginning a women's liberation. By not following the path of least resistance and by not giving into the threats, bashing, and cynics, they are standing up for all women and their fight for equality. Some women die fighting for this right.  Henna Aziz for example, Riverbends friend and prominent electrical engineer, who refused to stop going to work just because she was female.  Riverbend states,"she wasn't the first, and she won't be the last" (Riverbend 529).
    Iraqi culture is a complex society that as been negatively effected by the war, in more ways than one.  The women, children and men are being effected daily by what the war has turned their country into.The economic struggles caused by war has started, water and gasoline shortages.  Women, no longer equal. They no longer have "unalterable divorce, marriage, inheritance, custody, and alimony rights" (Riverbend 529). Riverbend is only one of the women who are beginning to see what the war has cost them, Iraqi women are outraged, if death was not an immediate option for those who stray from the norm, I am sure more women would be putting their foot down.

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women and the Military, War, and Peace, Women's Studies. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.3-18.

Riverbend. Baghdad Burning: Girl Blog From Iraq(203-04)-Excerpts.  Women's Studies. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.3-18.

Riverbend. "Girl Power and Post-War Iraq." Web log post. Baghdad Burning. 16 Sept. 2003. Web. 4 Apr. 2010. .

Activisim Log 6

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015

April 3, 2010

Activism Log 6

• Activism 

          Now that my group and I have completed the most time consuming and difficult task, finding a venue, there is not much else we can really do other than flier, informing fellow students and businesses around the area that we are holding an event in honor of Animal Safehouse. On Thursday I went and handed out fliers for the event around the Waterford area, as well as some fliers on Animal Safehouse and what the aimed to do. Many people seemed interested and I hope we are able to get some sort of turn out at the event. I emailed Barry from Sweet! again and still no reply, so I figured something must have come up that prevented them from being able to help us out. However, we are moving onward with the Italian restaurant and I can not wait to see what comes of it!

• Refletion 

            This past week as shown me that somethings fall through and that even though it is unfortunate, you have to keep your head up and keep heading towards your goal. There are "many issues we face as women, both in society and within the movement itself"(Seely 222) if we would have just given up in the beginning we would not have come as far as we have. Reading this in the "...Like a Girl" chapter of Seely's, Fight Like A Girl, reminded me that not everything is going end up as desired, but there is a point to failure, or a loss, it gives you the motivation to keep going. I, of course, was diasapointed when I did not hear back from Sweet! but I realized that not everything is going to work out the way one plans, if it did we would all be a step closer to equality. I took a step back from the situation and realized, "it is our actions that mean something and impact our community. It is our voices that inspire. And our commitment to justice that makes a difference" (Seely 24) not where we hold our event. Our commitment and passion for what Animal Safehouse stands for will be seen no matter where we hold our event.

•  Reciprocity

   Knowing that we are not only raising awareness for such a great organization but helping out women and animals in need gives me the best feeling. Every time I hand a flier to someone and their face lights up with appreciation, of what we are trying to do, my heart races and I just feel good. Those looks alone, make all the time being put into this project worth it. The way people look at you when you are doing such a good thing, lets you know that you are not under appreciated and people recognize and help out with your efforts. It feels good that there are other women, children, and even men who are so gracious and willing to help Animal Safehouse.
 
Work Cited

Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.