Activism Log 3

This week was mainly about tying up loose ends with our service learning, including having a group meeting, on Facebook chat, to discuss what else needs to be done, preferences for our presentation, making sure the correct dates were written down for events, etc. Another thing that was discussed within this meeting was our uncertainty about how to get our community leader sign our service learning hour logs, and who was to be the point person for that task. One of the pitfalls from this week is that within our only meeting as a group this week, not every member of our group attended this meeting. While discussing dates and times for this meeting, every group member agreed on the time that was designated, committing to be online.  That unfortunately did not happen, but the majority of the group members followed through with their commitments on being online to be able to tie up loose ends before our hours were to be due.

One factor that comes along with globalization is migration, where recent immigration from regions like Central America specifically, is most likely to “fill the ‘3D’ jobs—dirty, difficult, and dangerous. They are underpaid and overworked, and employers can use their status as immigrants to exploit them further.” (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 378). This is relevant to our work in Animal Safehouse because a lot of women, especially undocumented women that are in an abusive relationship, face marginalization from our immigration policies here in the United States. Their immigration status can not only be exploited by employers, but from their partners. Abusers can use their immigration status as a way to maintain power and control over the victim. The majority of undocumented women do not report domestic violence because of fear of being deported, losing their jobs, or being separated from their family. There is a lack of support for these survivors, where they already face extreme poverty and exploitation from employers, but also from the law lacking to provide sufficient aide for these women.

 This week has mainly been about the after effects of activism, where one has to evaluate, or in this case reflect, and hold each person accountable. Personally, since this week there was no tabling, human interaction based on this topic has been mainly with other group members. Even though as a group another meeting was discussed to be able to plan our final presentation, I feel as though another meeting would be necessary to debrief our activism as a whole, and on an individual level. I feel as though discussing what worked, what didn’t work, and acknowledging individuals who followed through with their commitments is necessary. Being able to hold not only other people accountable for their actions, but ourselves as well, specifically in a group setting, I feel, is a necessary place to learn effective means of communication. 

Word count: 477

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, Okazawa-Rey, Margo. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill , February 2009. Print. 378.

Activism Log 2

This week tabling took place Tuesday after class, unfortunately our tabling time was cut short because it started to rain. Thursday tabling was not an option due to the tornado and thunderstorm warnings. The weather has definitely been a big pitfall this week because our activism relies on tabling, and the weather is huge factor in tabling outside. I am thinking of organizing for our group a get together to have an arts and crafts day this weekend, or the earlier part of next week, in case the weather won't allow us to table. This way we have a backup plan for those individuals who still need their service learning hours, and we could make some toys for Animal Safehouse.

Where "the chance of being victimized by an intimate is significantly greater for women 85% than for men 15%" (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 258), it is important because domestic violence affects women all over the world, in various socioeconomic statuses and ethnic backgrounds.This relates to our work for Animal Safehouse because domestic violence and its incidence is the reason why programs like Animal Safehouse were created. According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund (1998) "Every year, as many as 4 million American women are physically abused by men..." (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 260). Animal Safehouse helps aide these domestic violence survivors by creating an avenue of support to be able to leave the abusive relationship, by creating a fostering network for their pets, which many people see as their own kids, will allow the survivors to help leave that relationship. According to the Animal Safehouse website, 50% of women do not leave abusive relationships for fear her pet will be injured or killed. Most domestic violence shelters do not allow pets, so Animal Safehouse is the support that the survivors need until the survivors have transitioned, and can get reunited with their pets.

I love the fact that I get to witness all different types of people with different types of ideals and backgrounds, who are interested in Animal Safehouse and coming up to the table to learn more. I think being able to bring awareness on campus, where "according to the government Office of Violence Against Women, 20% of teenage girls and young women have experienced some form of dating violence" (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 261). I feel that bringing awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence on campus, where statistically, women are at the highest risk of being a victim of gender based violence from the ages of 19-22, is important to hand out resources of shelters, hotlines, and support for these individuals. 

Word count: 430

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, Okazawa-Rey, Margo. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill , February 2009. Print. 

Women and the Workforce

In Charmed’s “Forget Me…Not” episode, the first scene is Piper holding a baby on her hip while orbing into frame. Piper is then seen later on in the epis­­­­ode cooking breakfast and “mothering” both other characters, which develops her job of the ‘nurturer’ in this episode. Piper’s job is viewed as valuable in the sense that she is taking care of everyone else, but not considered ‘productive.’ “‘Productive’ work is done for money; unpaid work is defined as unproductive to the economy” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 305). Within the episode all three women characters are portrayed as insecure and desperate to keep their jobs, Piper for example, being insecure of not knowing what Wyatt wanted, of being “a bad mom.”

Both of the other characters have ‘productive’ jobs, one of which is being a writer for a newspaper, and the other is a temporary job answering phones in an office. The gendered division of labor is evident within this episode with the character that is a temp work, where women’s work within that firm is seen as temporary (like her job), and the women are easily disposable. This job is an example of gendered division of labor because of the “emphasis on caring for and serving others in many women’s jobs; some may also require being on display and meeting dominant beauty standards” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 305). This gendered division of labor is shown within this episode when the boss came out and at one point told one of the witches to “sit on her pretty little ass and just answer the phone.” Another example of this in that firm is when another female worker within that working environment was threatened her job if she didn’t go out on another date with the boss. 

This representation of sexual harassment within the workplace matches both my experience and expectations of women in the workplace. I used to work in Taco Bell (Taco Smell to me) in high school, where I would face daily and constant sexual harassment, very much similar to the characters within Charmed, at the workplace. If not from my own bosses or coworkers, it would be from customers assuming their right to their advances because it “was my job” to serve them.  My bosses also knew I would be afraid to say anything because I was a teenager and them taking advantage of my lack of experience within a work environment, and the threat of losing my “first real job” was very much a fear of mine. This is relevant to the Charmed episode because both of the women with ‘productive’ jobs expressed fear of losing their jobs, even if dealing with unacceptable conditions, such as sexual harassment.  

Word count: 447

Works Cited 

Kirk, Gwyn, Okazawa-Rey, Margo. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill , February 2009. Print.

Activism Log 1

This week our group tabled in front of the Student Union for Animal Safehouse on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday was a pretty big pitfall for our group, since there was no definitive list made for what people were going to bring as far as materials and items for the bake sale. As a result, our table lacked color and did not look appealing at all. We also ended up eating the majority of the cookies being sold. Before we left our tabling session, I made sure to write down commitments from every member of the group as far as what we were committing to bringing and contributing for Thursday's tabling. Thursday's tabling went a lot more smoothly, our table was more appealing with colorful signs and the colorful cupcakes that Kailee brought. For next week I was thinking of creating some sort of interaction with the people walking by, like an arts and craft area where individuals can make toys to donate for Animal Safehouse. Also, for next week a collection cup is necessary because our Smoothie King styrofoam cup with 'donations' written haphazardly in faded Crayola marker is not cutting it.

The activism that we've done this week relates to our reading where it defines 'productive' and 'nonproductive' work, where productive work is "market-oriented" work. Where "unpaid work is defined as unproductive to the economy"(Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 305).This is problematic because if a woman were to spend her entire day making meals, cleaning, changing diapers, paying bills, etc. it would not be considered 'productive' work. In this case activism, like tabling for Animal Safehouse, is considered 'unproductive work' because it does not contribute to the Gross National Product. This week's events influenced the way I view feminist activism by only encouraging me to cotinue raising awareness and advocacy about women's issues. Multiple people asked what Animal Safehouse was about, and every single person that asked seemed surprised that no one has thought of Animal Safehouse before. Even people who didn't have any cash to donate, they asked for more information and how to get more involved. Sometimes I feel really overwhelmed because I feel that even with all my activism, on a macro-level, all my organizing, tabling, rallying, educating, etc. is so minuscule in that regard, that many times I wonder if it even is making a difference. But through tabling I loved getting that reaction from people who have never even thought of those issues in that way, and it was inspiring that there are people still willing to listen.

Word count: 422

Works Cited:

Kirk, Gwyn, Okazawa-Rey, Margo. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill , February 2009. Print.

Extra Credit

Compared to the women in the The Business of Being Born, the relationship between the woman giving birth and the doctor/nurse in a hospital in One Born Every Minute, the power rests in the "professionals." In TBBB, the power is shifted onto the woman giving birth. In OBEM, the relationship with the nurses, the ones that are taking care of the patient the majority of the time, starts when the woman comes into the hospital to give birth. The nurses are assigned to the woman, the woman has no choice about the interaction. This was important because one of the women, Carisa, actually got along well with one of her nurse, Christina. She hadn’t given birth yet when the nurse when Christina got off her shift, only for this woman to now get assigned a new nurse, one she has never talked to before, during the hardest part of her labor. When the epidural stopped working on Carisa, the new nurse was seen in a shot resting in the reception desk, instead of being in the room with the woman. This is completely different than the relationship that was depicted in TBBB, where the midwife was there for the woman in labor throughout the whole process. Being able to have a relationship with the person(s) that will be aiding you while in labor, not just their partner, seemed to have a more positive atmosphere.

When the women in TBBB gave birth, they were the ones (if in a tub) to help pull the baby out themselves. If the midwife helped the newborn out, after birth the newborn was immediately placed in the mother’s arms.  Compared to in OBEM, where the Athia’s newborn finally got out of her uterus, it was raised in the air, like a scene straight from The Lion King, for a quick glance from the mother, and then quickly taken away to be cleaned, weighed, etc.

Also, the reaction of the mothers in OBEM to their newborns varying from the mothers who gave birth naturally, were completely different. The women, who gave birth at home with a midwife, got to hold and spend time with their babies immediately. The look on their face was complete exhaustion, but complete and utter joy. They looked utterly entranced with the new life that they had introduced to the world.  The teenage mom, Jenna, actually looked away from her newborn when she gave birth. On her face was complete exhaustion, yet she made no effort to even look at the baby. The father was depicted holding the newborn, while she laid on the bed with her eyes closed.

OBEM depicted women’s bodies and childbirth as something that needs intervention. Women in TBBB are portrayed as strong, and as childbirth as one of the most empowering things a woman can choose to do. 

Word count: 471

Analysis of an Advertisement

The beach in the background sets a tone of a relaxed and sensual atmosphere. The woman's skin is suntanned and shiny with oil. Her darker skin, voluptuous rear end, and dark hair make the woman seem more “exotic” i.e. not white. This is a problem because women and their sexualities in our society are viewed in dichotomies. An example of women of color dichotomies are the  mammy/jezebel or the princess/squaw. “Class, gender, and sexuality are often specific to one’s racial/ethnic background” (Rojas 46) this quote is relevant to the ad because the way the woman of color is used in the picture is enforcing these stereotypes of hypersexualized women of color.

It is explicit that the woman is supposed to "shake" and the viewer, who Maxim's magazine target demographic of an "8-34 year old male", is told to "enjoy."  One can assume this because the image of the woman’s body is significantly larger than that of the protein shakes in the corner.  The main focus is the woman’s body, not the actual product being sold. Women's bodies are valued as acceptable means of a method of advertising. It is also acceptable in our society to have women's bodies exposed in order to sell a product. This woman’s bikini is strategically pulled up between both cheeks of her buttocks for the ad, exposing more skin and sex appeal for the viewer.

This ad reinforces that women's bodies are seen as commodities. "Commodification is the process of turning people, or things, for sale." (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 208) The implicit message behind this ad is that when the viewer would be able to “enjoy” the woman in the ad, if they bought the protein shake. The objectification (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey 208), which is "when attitudes and behaviors by which people are treated as if they were 'things'", of the woman’s buttocks as a serving plate for the 28g protein shake, reinforces the inferiority of women in our patriarchal society.

This ad assumes that their male viewers are heterosexual, and wanting to "shake and enjoy" the woman in the ad.  It also assumes that the woman in the ad is heterosexual, and would want to be "enjoyed" by the viewer. This ad also assumes that all viewers are men. It also assumes that their viewers want to drink protein shakes, which is taken to increase in muscle mass, according to the male beauty ideal. Another assumption made by this advertisement is that the viewer is able to afford the protein shake. This shows classism from the ad, because individuals in the middle and upper middle class are the ones able to afford a protein shake. A protein shake is not necessary for survival, yet in order to participate in the beauty ideal, men privileged enough to have the accessibility and means of buying a protein shake, this ad is made for their consumption.  

Word count:478

Works Cited

Rojas, Maythee. Women of Color and Feminism. Seal Press, September 2009. Print.

http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=10320613 Web. “Maxim Magazine, Inc. “ February 18 2011.

Kirk, Gwyn, Okazawa-Rey, Margo. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill , February 2009. Print.

Contact Information:
Service Learning Proposal for Animal Safehouse of Brevard
Community Partner: Animal Safehouse of Brevard

By: Veronica Henry, Jennifer Getz, Carli Prudente, Candace Treadway, Kailee Hobson, Nicole Godreau, and Shirah Maldonado- Ortiz
February 10, 2011
Meredith Tweed
WST 3015-0001

Community Partner Profile:
Animal Safehouse Program of Brevard
Web Address: http://www.animalsafehousebrevard.org/
Contact: Leandra Preston. lpreston@mail.ucf.edu

Community Partner Mission Statement:
“The goal of Animal Safehouse is to remove this barrier by caring for pets while owners are in transition. Our objective is to form a network of foster families to provide homes for pets of domestic violence survivors until they can be reunited in a safe living environment (Animal Safehouse Program of Brevard).”

Social Basis for Organization: Over 50% of women will not leave an abusive situation for of their animal being injured or possibly killed. Animal Safehouse Program of Brevard is a non-profit organization that offers a temporary living arrangement for pets of domestic abuse victims. There are currently no facilities that offer to house the women and their pets. The Safehouse Program “provide[s] all food, supplies, vet care, and other essentials throughout their stay with us…[the program] also help[s] women reunite with their animals post-shelter by assisting with pet deposits and transport (Animal Safehouse Program of Brevard).”

Community Partner Needs: Animal Safehouse Program of Brevard is in need of event volunteers, transporters, fosters, and veterinary care. The program would also benefit from such items as food, cages, and toys. Donations will also help to ease the cost of veterinary bills.

Animal Safehouse Brevard
www.animalsafehousebrevard.org
Plan Proposal:
• The problem most readily associated with our Service Learning partner, Animal Safehouse, is the continuous issue as to what happens to a pet owner’s companion when they become unavailable to care for them due to their sufferings as a domestic violence victim. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 50 percent of women fail to leave their abusers in fear for her pet’s safety. Living in fear, some of these women fail to escape their abuse and in worst cases they could possibly die. With growing support and knowledge on the subject matter, this problem can be solved through our Service Learning partner, which enables an outlet for these victims and their pets.
• Our plan to help Animal Safehouse do their job, which is helping women who need a place for their pets while they seek shelter from domestic violence situations, is by setting up fundraisers. We will host 3 events and have them completed over the duration of several weekends. We will set up a table at a Publix grocery store, a table at the UCF bookstore, and a table at Taste in Downtown Orlando. At each of these locations we will be asking for donations geared towards dogs and cats. We will be asking for dog/cat food, treats, crates, toys, and money to go towards medical expenses. We will set up a table with banners/posters addressing the issue at hand. We will set up jars for money and boxes for food, treats, etc. We hope by mid April to have all of these fundraiser events completed and at the end have a large donation of money, food, cages, etc., going to Animal Safehouse.
• This project relates to this class because domestic violence is a part of violence against women. This violence is gender-based, and “results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women.” (UN, 1995) These types of actions are reinforced within a system where women are placed in the “other” category within our society, where exploitation is more easily justifiable. “We’d rarely ask how gender violence might serve more “normalized” ends such as male control and domination.” (Johnson 69) In order to choose on how we participate in the system of patriarchy, we have to be cognizant of what we are and are not supporting. Supporting individuals going through the transition between an abusive household and a domestic violence shelter is important because too many individuals in this society are being made invisible. By making this individuals visible within our society, we can help end their marginalization and othery brought to them by patriarchy.

• Our group of volunteers working with Animal Safehouse will be hosting several events in order to help raise funds for their cause. One event will be hosted at Taste, a restaurant in the center of college park. This will be a benefit event, where a raffle will be held. Raffle tickets will be sold as a fundraising tool, as well as charging entry at Taste. All funds raised will be going to Animal Safehouse. Several members are going to go around local businesses and ask for donations for the raffle taking place during the Taste event. Outreach to other groups and organizations will be crucial in order for a successful outcome of this event. Each member has committed to reaching out to at least one group, organization, individual. Organizing a phone bank for the outcome of the event will also be necessary.

Another way that we are planning on raising funds is tabling in front of the Publix in Winter Park on three specific dates. We have specifically chosen this Publix because of its dog friendly atmosphere, and donations will be asked during the duration of our tabling from customers. Since the tabling is going to be right in front of the Publix, the customers would be able to buy some animal food while inside the Publix, and leave the donations on their way out.

Tabling on the UCF main campus is going to be another way to raise awareness and fundraising among students. Animal Safehouse has committed to sending our group of volunteers fliers, buttons, and materials needed for tabling. Veronica within our group has the responsibility to communicate with our community partner, Animal Safehouse, and maintain both parties up to date with commitments made. Kelly has committed to tabling on campus, as well as helping with making the posters for our events. Shirah is going to be the point person for communication with the Publix in Winter Park about tabling. Jenny has committed to making the fliers and distributing them among her coworkers and workplace, as well as volunteering during the Taste event and tabling in front of Publix. Candace has committed to creating posters and banners, as well as tabling and outreach. Kailee has committed to passing out fliers at her work and tabling at Publix. Nicole has committed to bringing the table for tabling on campus and at Publix, as well as getting in contact with the events coordinator at Taste. Nicole will also make posters and banners for our events.

Timeline:
Animal Safehouse Supplies Drive March 5th - April 9th
Table at UCF March 5th
Table at Publix March 12th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Table at UCF March 16th
Table at Publix March 26th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Table at Publix March 27th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Taste event April 9th
Works Cited:
Preston, Leandra. "Domestic Violence Affects Pets, Too." Animal Safehouse of Brevard. 2011. Web. 5 Feb 2011. <http://www.animalsafehousebrevard.org/>.

Animal Safehouse Brevardwww.animalsafehousebrevard.org




Word count: 1,189