“ Authors use coded language when talking about slavery in our history . We do the same with sexual violence . We need to call shit what it is . Instead of calling it jerk-like behavior call it what it is - rapey behavior ”
“ The # MeToo movement was started by a black American social activist named Tarana Burke for black and brown women and girls who are survivors . Most of the media focus has been on white women in the industry ”
“ There is this image that the perpetrator is a monster , but it ’ s Pop Pop , it ’ s uncle , it ’ s your brother ... there ’ s shades of grey and it ’ s complicated ”
“ We keep focusing on the perpetrator but there ’ s so many bystanders around ”
“ There needs to be healing places for perpetrators ; if you throw them in jail , does that change the person ? What happens when they get in a relationship ?”
“ I talk to my daughter consistently about sex , her body , power , control , violence - I talk about it openly ”
I didn ’ t really know what to expect during my internship at FORCE this summer , but as I reflect on my experience , it could not have come at a more important time in my life . My internship at FORCE and the CIIP program has really allowed me to think more introspectively about myself as well as my friends , my family , and other people . Sexual assault , domestic violence , and rape culture pervade our society very deeply . The quotes that I have listed above were said by panelists at an event celebrating Afro-Latinx , Afro-Caribbean , and the African diaspora who are survivors of child sexual abuse . Upsetting rape culture is a tremendously difficult thing to do . There is no instant fix that is black and white . Nevertheless , that is the ultimate goal of FORCE . Upsetting rape culture is calling out people when they say or do rapey things . Upsetting rape culture is making the movement inclusive of black and brown people , children , the disabled , undocumented people , the LGBTQ community , the elderly , and the people who are forgotten and left out of the movement . Upsetting rape culture is recognizing that it can happen to you , your brother , your cousin . Upsetting rape culture is understanding that perpetrators are usually the people closest to you . Upsetting rape culture is comprehending that perpetrators need to be held accountable to their actions but also need to be healed , not isolated . Upsetting rape culture is making conversations around sex and boundaries at a young age a normality in all cultures . With that being said , I ’ ve really enjoyed my internship at FORCE this summer and I hope that I can continue upsetting rape culture throughout my life .
Community Partner : FORCE Intern : Woudese Befikadu Site Supervisor : Hannah Brancato
What is FORCE ? FORCE : Upsetting Rape Culture creates art actions to upset the culture of rape and promote a culture of consent .
• Transcribed and coded the interviews of survivors of sexual assault
• Created a candidate questionnaire for the upcoming gubernatorial election questioning candidates ’ platforms to end rape culture and domestic violence in the city
• Created fact sheets on the relationship between 1 . immigration , ICE , and sexual / domestic violence and 2 . black survivors of sexual / domestic violence and criminalization
• Used sewing techniques to sew quilts together and assisted with quilt workshops
• Completed a quilt for a person who is incarcerated and a survivor of sexual assault
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