There is a vast gap between what is reality and what should be reality. It is a fact, as I originally stated, that many, many groups, including women, are not treated as equal citizens, but are abused by other individuals or groups who are in positions of authority. In most (if not all) advanced, industrialized nations, women are de jure equal citizens, but many times are not treated as such. The incident that I quoted comes from the Amnesty International report on Women in Prison. As already mentioned, Robin Lucus was a 29-year old African American woman who was raped in a Texas prison.
The reason I focus on women in my message to the campus is because it is International Women's Day. It is a day set aside with the express purpose of recognizing the positive contributions of women to society, while at the same time recognizing their position as a (oftentimes) disadvantaged sector of society. By focusing on women in my message, I am by no means choosing to exclude other disadvantaged, repressed sectors of society. Everyone should be treated as equal, regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, language, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or sexual orientation. We are all humans, each and every one of us, and we should all be recognized, treated, and respected as such.
With the two quotes I used at the end of my message, I put them there for what they say. I feel the Rage Against the Machine quote is appropriate because of my opening statement. There is an urgent need to close the gap between what reality is and what reality should be. I do not mean to say that there is only one option as to what reality should be, but I do mean to say that the basic rights of humankind should be respected and granted to all individuals by all other individuals, organizations, and governments. So I quote: "What better place than here, what better time than now." As to the Beastie Boys quote, I cannot say it any better than they did: "The disrespect to women has got to be through...I wanna offer my love and respect to the end." By using these quotes, I endorse the words they offer; I do not necessarily endorse the band itself, their other beliefs, MTV, or the bands' objectives as cultural icons. I simply agree with those particular words of advice/wisdom that they offer.
Finally, regardless of what Robin Lucus did to end up in a Texas prison, she is entitled to basic human rights. You would dare not say that what she went through was deserving because she was a prisoner. Let us put faith in the justice system to give her a just punishment. Let us not make three male inmates the 'judge, jury, and executioner.'
Also to conclude, I agree with these statements that J___ C______ makes:
1. "What people have to understand is the abuse of authority which takes place."
2. "I'm sure countless cases of abuses of this nature take place (as I'm sure any member of Amnesty International will admit) against people of all genders, races, ethnic groups, religions, home planets, etc."
3. "Rather, I look at them [women] as PEOPLE."
4. "I felt that this was too important to either be forgotten about in light of spring break or thrown on the floor of the CUB."
Finally, when Mr. C______ says: "I look forward to your backlash", I want to clarify that this is not a backlash. It is simply a response to the concerns of a fellow classmate. Only through dialogue can true understanding, and hence change, come about.
WE MUST NOT REMAIN IGNORANT.
Tighe Burns
For those interested in human rights issues, the Gettysburg College chapter of Amnesty International meets every Monday at 4:00pm at Plank Gym, room 119. All are welcome.
*************************************************************
Tuesday, March 7, 2000
Monday, March 6, 2000
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
***************INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY***************
Women constitute half the world's population,
perform nearly two-thirds of it's work hours,
receive one-tenth of the world's income,
and own less than one-hundredth of the world's property.
September 22, 1995:
"Three male inmates entered Robin Lucus' cell, apparently given access to the isolation unit by guards. They dragged her from the cot, punching and pulling her. One pinned her down on the floor and clamped her with handcuffs; another forced open her legs; the third penetrated her. Repeatedly she was beaten, raped, and cursed. She blacked out and lost track of time. Her only memory was of the grotesque pain of being sodomized for what seemed like an eternity. In a parting shot, one of the inmates turned on his way out the door and urinated on her. At that moment, Robin, although semiconscious, recognized this inmate as the sole assailant who launched the initial attack. For days after the assault, Robin's body was weak and wracked with pain. She bled continuously from her rectum. Repeated requests for medical services were denied. Approximately two weeks later she was relocated to the women's facility. Thirty-five days after the initial attack, she finally received a medical examination."
Incidents like this happen every day in every part of the world, from the most undeveloped nation to the most advanced, industrialized nation. People everywhere are taken advantage of by those who are in positions of authority. Oftentimes discrimination and prejudice are major factors. In the case above, Robin was a 29-year old African American woman.
It is a fact that those in power will do whatever necessary to maintain the status quo and remain in power. Political leaders use their armies as a means of quelling opposition. Law enforcers wield their badge as an affirmation of their unquestionable authority. As we soon enter a new millenium, advances are common in communication, transportation, technology, and other areas. Unfortunately, it seems that 21st century values of social justice and human rights remain as those of the previous century: the century that saw gross atrocities committed in Hitler's Germany, Pinochet's Chile, and our own United States of America.
We must not remain ignorant.
"It has to start somewhere
It has to start sometime
What better place than here
What better time than now
All hell can't stop us now." - Rage Against The Machine
"I wanna say a little something that's long overdue:
The disrespect to women has got to be through.
To all the mothers and the sisters and the wives and friends,
I wanna offer my love and respect to the end." - Beastie Boys
***************INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY***************
Tighe Burns
President
Amnesty International
s399886@gettysburg.edu
717-338-9375
Women constitute half the world's population,
perform nearly two-thirds of it's work hours,
receive one-tenth of the world's income,
and own less than one-hundredth of the world's property.
September 22, 1995:
"Three male inmates entered Robin Lucus' cell, apparently given access to the isolation unit by guards. They dragged her from the cot, punching and pulling her. One pinned her down on the floor and clamped her with handcuffs; another forced open her legs; the third penetrated her. Repeatedly she was beaten, raped, and cursed. She blacked out and lost track of time. Her only memory was of the grotesque pain of being sodomized for what seemed like an eternity. In a parting shot, one of the inmates turned on his way out the door and urinated on her. At that moment, Robin, although semiconscious, recognized this inmate as the sole assailant who launched the initial attack. For days after the assault, Robin's body was weak and wracked with pain. She bled continuously from her rectum. Repeated requests for medical services were denied. Approximately two weeks later she was relocated to the women's facility. Thirty-five days after the initial attack, she finally received a medical examination."
Incidents like this happen every day in every part of the world, from the most undeveloped nation to the most advanced, industrialized nation. People everywhere are taken advantage of by those who are in positions of authority. Oftentimes discrimination and prejudice are major factors. In the case above, Robin was a 29-year old African American woman.
It is a fact that those in power will do whatever necessary to maintain the status quo and remain in power. Political leaders use their armies as a means of quelling opposition. Law enforcers wield their badge as an affirmation of their unquestionable authority. As we soon enter a new millenium, advances are common in communication, transportation, technology, and other areas. Unfortunately, it seems that 21st century values of social justice and human rights remain as those of the previous century: the century that saw gross atrocities committed in Hitler's Germany, Pinochet's Chile, and our own United States of America.
We must not remain ignorant.
"It has to start somewhere
It has to start sometime
What better place than here
What better time than now
All hell can't stop us now." - Rage Against The Machine
"I wanna say a little something that's long overdue:
The disrespect to women has got to be through.
To all the mothers and the sisters and the wives and friends,
I wanna offer my love and respect to the end." - Beastie Boys
***************INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY***************
Tighe Burns
President
Amnesty International
s399886@gettysburg.edu
717-338-9375
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