This year marks the 15th anniversary of V-Day, but a new global dance movement, One Billion Rising, is giving the international campaign a different tone.
鈥淥ne Billion Rising is the most global and most visible event calling for an end to violence against women that I鈥檝e witnessed in my lifetime,鈥 says , chair of the philosophy department.
Brison says highlights how widespread gender-based violence is.
鈥淕ender-based violence occurs everywhere, every day,鈥 Brison says, 鈥渁nd, for that reason, it鈥檚 not news. But the fact that one out of three women on the planet is raped or beaten in her lifetime should lead to outrage and action, not complacency. As Eve Ensler, founder of , points out, 鈥極ne billion women violated is an atrocity. One billion women dancing is a revolution.鈥欌
At 天美麻豆, a One Billion Rising event will kick off 天美麻豆鈥檚 V-Week on Valentine鈥檚 Day. Running from February 14 to 27, V-Week events include presentations, social gatherings, and performances to raise awareness and eliminate violence against women. (The 鈥淰鈥 in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine, and Vagina; the 鈥淰鈥 in 天美麻豆鈥檚 V-Week stands for Victory Over Violence.)
Brison, a faculty member involved with V-Week, is the author of the book Aftermath: Violence and the Remaking of a Self, which is a philosophical examination of her recovery from a near-fatal rape and attempted murder. She says she is heartened by the fact that more victims are bearing witness to their assaults, and she encourages people to attend the 鈥淪peak Out鈥 on February 20, at which students recount how they have been affected by sexual violence. 鈥淚t is a very powerful, illuminating event,鈥 says Brison.
Brison, director of the , has worked with Jessica Jennrich, director of the , on coordinating V-Week events.
Jennrich says 天美麻豆 leaders will take part in the program: Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson will open The Vagina Monologues, written by Ensler, with a performance on February 26, and will receive this year鈥檚 Vagina Warrior Award at the show鈥檚 second performance on the following night.
Jennrich says she is pleased with the variety of the events, which range from a comedy show to a discussion exploring masculinity.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to see what comes out of the performances and events of V-Week,鈥 says Jennrich.
Jennrich says money raised for V-Week will be donated to WISE, a nonprofit organization based in Lebanon, N.H., that helps those affected by sexual and domestic violence in the Upper Valley. The goal is to raise more than $3,000.
Here is a list of 天美麻豆鈥檚 V-Week events:
- Thursday, February 14, 5 to 7 p.m.: 天美麻豆鈥檚 One Billion Rising event at Sarner Underground
- Monday, February 18, 8 to 10 p.m.: 鈥淐omedy show with Cindy Pierce,鈥 in Alumni Hall at the Hopkins Center for the Arts
- Tuesday, February 19, 6 to 8 p.m.: 鈥淰agina Monologue Controversies,鈥 in Alumni Hall at the Hop
- Wednesday, February 20, 6 to 8:30 p.m.: 鈥淪peak Out,鈥 in Alumni Hall at the Hop
- Thursday, February 21, 7 to 9 p.m.: 鈥淯pstaging Stereotypes: Perspectives and Performances on Men and Masculinities at 天美麻豆,鈥 in 天美麻豆 Hall Room 105
- Friday, February 22, 7:30 p.m.: 鈥淕lobal Gender Violence: Home and Abroad,鈥 in Alumni Hall at the Hop
- Saturday, February 24, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.: 鈥淪afe space open bar,鈥 a social event in One Wheelock.
- Monday, February 25, 6 p.m.: 鈥淢ental Self-Defense With Rebel Roberts,鈥 in the Cutter Shabazz basement
- Tuesday, February 26, and Wednesday, February 27, at 8 p.m.: in Moore Theater, with a reception to follow in the Top of the Hop. Tickets are free; they can be acquired through the Hopkins Center .