Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["E W Quimbaya-Winship" <>]

Dear Eric,

I think it's difficult to say if the line is appropriate or not based on
the information you provide.  I've used educational drama and TO for a
number of years and what comes to mind for me when reading your post is:
what is the intent of the script within your educational goals and what
do you have as the educational programming around the stage production?

I'll take the risk, without having the script and information on the
educational programming around the play for review, to offer a few
thoughts.

Is the script/production to look/feel like a Theatre of the Oppressed
(TO) performance - raising questions and exploring the issues,
uncovering issues, and then practicing tactics to end the violence?

If so, the statement may do more to end dialogue than open dialogue.
It's a very definitive statement - and while it may be absolutely
accurate - not everyone will see what is presented on stage as a rape
even after the statement is spoken.  The learning for some may occur in
a discussion where the 'yeah, but . . .' comments can be addressed.  We
may not be able to educate to the myths and misinformation some people
hold dear if we don't hear from them first - the definitive statement
may shut some down.  

If the script and production is the whole program (and there is no
discussion after and the production is the educational program on rape),
then the statement in question might make more sense.  

If the fear from your colleagues is that 'the word' will scare parents -
then perhaps it's important to note that the program will help parents
understand the crime of rape but to address the crime appropriately it
is necessary to use the correct terminology.  

Parents can be partners in helping reduce crimes on campus and assist in
promoting healthy behaviors if they understand the issues and have a
clear picture of the problem.  Misnaming or omitting language seems
counter to the goals of an institute of learning.  And I feel we need to
'normalize' conversations about rape as we work to end rape - 'secrets'
and hidden language do not help when working to create a safer
environment. 

Additionally, if (god forbid) something happens to someone a parent
loves - the use of proper language, and education to the use of that
language, will also be important to the victim/survivor (and the family)
so as not to minimize that individuals experience and hinder the
healing.

My thoughts . . .

Good luck!

Ew Quimbaya-Winship
Educational Program Coordinator
The Women's Center
Rochester Institute of Technology
42 Lomb Memorial Drive
Building 04, Room A503
Rochester, NY  14623-5604

Voice/TTY 585.475.7464
Fax 585.475.7419
AIM: eqwwom
www.rit.edu/womenscenter
  

>>>Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 09:25:23 -0500
From: "Eric Garrison" 
<>
Subject: Script question
To: 

Message-ID: 
<>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Dear Colleagues,

I have written a script that is based on the old He Said/She Said
scripts of 20 or so years ago, but now with androgynous characters and
no pronouns. 

The last line spoken is by the survivor: "I can't believe it - I was
raped."

Some members of the university using the script want to change that
statement to a question, "Was I raped?" thinking that powerful messages
are too strong for the parents of first-year students(and this is a very
liberal/progressive/openminded university, so I was surprised.)

The final verdict is: keep the statement for the student presentation,
but change it to a question for the parental presentation.

Any thoughts, sagacious colleagues?

Eric 

+++++
Eric M. Garrison, MAEd, MSc (London)
Diplomate of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
International Consultant and Speaker in Human Sexuality & the Public
Health

web: www.ericgarrison.info
email: 

Telephone: 804.640.5964
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