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

["Sotelo-Peryea, Anna" <>]

Hello All!

We had our 4th Annual Walk A Mile event on campus yesterday and I agree that 
there seems to be some confusion between what is what.  The full title of the 
event is Walk A Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men's March to Stop 
Rape, Sexual Assault, and Gender Violence, and information on the registered 
international event is available at http://walkamileinhershoes.org/.

I can understand the concern that some have expressed, and I believe it comes 
down to how you choose to handle the event and whether you take care to be 
inclusive and avoid reinforcing stereotypes.  We place a large emphasis on 
the proverb about walking in other's shoes and utilize the opportunity to 
reflect on privilege and build empathy.  

Respectfully, 

Anna

Anna Peryea, MUP
Resource & Planning Coordinator
Violence Prevention Specialist
Wellness Education Services
205 Michael Hall, South Campus
University at Buffalo
716.829.3316 ext. 205
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-----Original Message-----
From: 

 
[mailto:]
 On Behalf Of Wantland, Ross A
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 6:16 PM
To: Bates-Pratt, Shalise; 
''
Subject: RE: Question about Walk A Mile in Her Shoes

Hey everyone,
  This question has been tossed around on a couple of listservs this 
semester. I have to say that in general, I agree with Chris Linder about the 
problematic implications of this event. I think that it can be fraught with 
homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and misleading notions of what it means to 
be a "woman." That said, for the first time, I have a group of men on our 
campus who have taken this event under their wing, and I have done my best to 
hold my tongue and help lead them to thinking about the implications of the 
event and how best to reach men - and being realistic about what the men are 
doing. They aren't gaining empathy (though if you ask the organizers who have 
spent a few hours on our Quad wearing high heels, they talk about the insight 
they've gained into women's fashion in depth) for women's experiences of 
violence and threats of violence; they are playing "dress-up." But...  But... 
I'm hopeful that this semi-easy opportunity for men to get involved can be a g
 ateway. But I don't know. Talk to me next Monday after our event, then I'll 
let you know. when it all goes to hell in a handbasket, I may eat my words :) 
 I am starting to be more thoughtful about the ways this event could be 
useful, when used strategically. 
   Let's keep talking bout this! I think it definitely is a weird 
counterpoint/point to the "real man" efforts to get men involved ("real men 
don't hurt women," etc.) that we also sometimes use to gain male allies...and 
I think both have their pros and cons!
Peace,
Ross
________________________________________
From: 

 
[]
 On Behalf Of Bates-Pratt, Shalise 
[]
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 3:08 PM
To: 
''
Subject: RE: Question about Walk A Mile in Her Shoes

Hello Colleagues,

I've been approached by a group on our campus that wants to host a "Walk a 
Mile in Her Shoes" event on our campus.

Have any of you all done an event like this before?  Can you all share 
information, flyers, programs, planning documents, pictures, etc to help me 
help them make this event successful?

Shalise Bates-Pratt
Director of Student Leadership and Gender Resources
Randolph-Macon College
PO Box 5005
Campus Center-304 Henry Street
Ashland, VA  23005
ph 804-752-3205
fax 804-752-3211



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