Clothesline Project

Published in the Bullet, April 26, 2007--

Women in local communities around the nation are hanging their clothes and their pasts out to dry.

At the University of Mary Washington yesterday, the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence (RCDV) exposed students to stories of domestic abuse, hanging the broken silence on clotheslines between four trees on Campus Walk.

Rachel Droogsma, adjunct speech professor, helped bring the Clothesline Project to UMW.

"These shirts are all local, made by woman who have experienced domestic abuse," Droogsma said. "They express the women's stories, everything they are feeling."

The RCDV, founded in 1978, is a non-profit, internationally recognized agency, funded by state and federal grants, localities in the district, Rappahannock United Way and individual donations.

In 1990, the Clothesline Project began in Cape Cod, Massachusetts as a coalition of women's groups.

Rachel Carey-Harper, a leader from one of those coalitions, recognized that the numbers dead from the Vietnam War and the numbers killed by domestic violence that year were comparable.

Droogsma said that this comparison was the motivation for the Clothesline Project.

"She saw that and asked 'Where's our wall?'" Droogsma said. "This is that wall."

Stephanie Horii, Support Services Coordinator for RCDV, was very willing to bring the project to the University.

"Hundreds of students have walked by," Horii said. "I see people engaged with the shirts and talking about them as they pass by. It is a great tool to raise awareness."

Droogsma felt that the student response was strong as well.

"They were really surprised by what the shirts had to say," she said. "They were stopping and holding the shirts in their hands, reading what was on them."

Many students, including junior Andrew Bennett, were attracted by the bright colors.

"It was interesting," Bennett said. "It is a good idea because it is important for students to realize what is going on."

The shirts' colors are significant, each representing a certain type of domestic violence.

Since this is Droogsma's final semester, she wanted to have the clothesline project held here before leaving.

"Having just done my dissertation in December, I'd share with students this information and they were wowed by it," Droogsma said. "I wanted to bring this to campus before I left."

Droogsma wrote her dissertation on domestic violence for her graduate degree in women's studies. She interned with the RCDV as part of her graduate studies, and could not help being influenced.

"To look at the women's wisdom is eye-opening," she said. "That was what I wanted to see, that is what all people can learn from."

Horii, who joined the RCDV team six years ago after her friend became victim to domestic abuse, explained the council's educational support programs.

"We offer support programs for women, teenagers, and also for children," Horii said.

Other services include a temporary emergency shelter, 24-hour hotline, information referrals, advocacy assistance, volunteer work, and school and community presentations.

Through these services, Horii said that the RCDV tries to provide an opportunity for victims of domestic violence to separate themselves from hurtful situations.

"We're there to help them to move on, to provide support when they need it," Horii said. "This project is only a sampling of everything we have available."

Judith Parker, English professor, was very appreciative of the messages inculcated by the Clothesline Project, locally and world-wide.

"Around the world, the Clothesline Project is a powerful expression of the perseverance and pain of local people who have experienced violence in their homes," Parker said.

Parker said that the message it relayed to students at UMW was also important.

"Many people in the community are affected, and the project helps us to recognize this, that this is in our midst," Parker said.

Horii reiterated this close proximity.

"Some of these shirts were made yesterday," Horii said. "We also have one sweatshirt hanging up from the very first project. These shirts allow women to express themselves, to break their silence."

The Clothesline Project has 60,000 shirts on display around the world.

Sen. John Warner Chosen as Commencement Speaker

Published in the Bullet, Jan. 31, 2008--

Last week the University of Mary Washington announced that this year's commencement speaker is U.S. Senator John William Warner, Jr.

In contrast to the strong reaction to last year's commencement speaker, Newt Gingrich, campus reactions towards Warner are more subdued.

"I don't really care one way or the other, as long as his speech is good," said senior Jonathan May.

However, senior Andrew Fitzgerald expressed concern for the administrative decision.

"I have mixed feelings about John Warner being the commencement speaker," Fitzgerald said. "Although I respect his service to the Commonwealth and the country, I have not agreed with his politics this past year."

According to Warner's online senate office biography, the 80-year-old Republican is now serving his fifth consecutive term as the United States Senator for Virginia.

He announced last year that he would not run for a sixth term in the Senate.

Richard V. Hurley, acting president and vice president for administration, finance, and legislative affairs, explained that the reasons for choosing Warner were largely connected with the University's Centennial Celebration.

"We wanted someone who has a historical perspective on the institution and Senator Warner was a good choice because he was here ten years ago," Hurley said. "We are a completely different institution now compared to what we were then."

Besides Warner, other candidates were considered, including Belle Wheelen, president of the Southern Association of Colleges, and Viola Baskerville, Secretary of Administration for the Commonwealth.

Choosing a commencement speaker, the administration takes a lot into consideration, and Hurley commented on this process.

"We want a good speaker who will deliver a good message to our graduates," Hurley said. "Beyond that, we take into consideration what else is happening globally, nationally or here locally and make a connection to what we know, as we did in Senator Warner."

Warner serves as the second-ranking Republican of the Senate Armed Services committee, of which he was once also the committee's Chairman, as well as the Senate Intelligence Committee and Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works. He is also a member of the Senate committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.

Some students believe that Warner's political status is not a necessary provision for any commencement speech.

Fitzgerald's idea of what a commencement speaker represents reflects that concern.

"I feel we have commencement speakers to reflect upon past academic work and life experiences while at the same time speaking to graduates and their families about the numerous possibilities the future holds. They stress how the actions of each graduate can influence the direction of our country in coming year. I feel that as long as the commencement speaker represents ideals of reflection and vision, it shouldn't necessarily matter who our commencement speaker is," Fitzgerald said.

"I do not, however, support using the microphone as a pedestal from which they can promote certain political or religious views."

The irony of back-to-back conservative political leaders addressing the graduates in the past two years has not been overlooked, but Hurley insisted that the situation is completely coincidental.

"In reality, I never thought about the fact that we would have back to back speakers from the Republican Party. I was more focused on our Centennial and who the best fit might be for us given this anniversary," Hurley said.

Senior Jonathan May also concluded that there was no deliberate connection between the two consecutive conservative speakers, and that student reactions to each speaker were dissimilar.

"I don't think it'll get nearly as much publicity as Newt Gingrich did. John Warner isn't as much of a household name," senior Jonathan May said.

Warner is a Virginia native, with a B.S. from Washington and Lee and a law degree from the Law School of the University of Virginia. After enlisting in the Navy in 1945, Warner served active military duty during World War II, and later as a Marine Corps ground officer in Korea. From 1972-74, Warner was appointed Secretary for the Navy, issuing in that time two diplomatic assignments. The subsequent "Incidents at Sea Executive Agreement (1970-72)," settled between the United States and the Soviet Union is still in effect today.

The graduation ceremonies will begin promptly at 9 a.m. on April 10, in Ball Circle.

MLK Free At Last

News article, the Bullet, February 21, 2008---

With Black History Month underway and the repercussions of last semester's response to a racial indiscretion in Jefferson Hall continuing into the spring, the administration had their timing right.

In a Feb. 18 press release sent to all faculty, the University of Mary Washington decided that every third Monday in January, campus will be closed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. This decision will go into effect on Jan. 19 for the 2008-09 school year.

Acting President Richard V. Hurley was on the panel that voted in favor of the recent schedule change.

"I felt it was something the University should do to truly honor Dr. King," Hurley said. "Not closing sent not so subtle messages about the institution's priorities which, to me, are contrary to all the statements we make about being inclusive, appreciating diversity and wanting a more diverse campus."

Junior Kiama Anthony, president of the Black Student Association, said she is glad to see that UMW is no longer one of three Virginia schools to not celebrate Martin Luther King Day.

"I agree with UMW being closed for MLK Day because we are one of the only Virginia state schools that are in session that day," Anthony said. "I feel like this is one of the more important observed holidays and it really said a lot about the institution when we weren't closed."

The two colleges in Virginia that remain open on MLK day are Christopher Newport University and Virginia Military Institute.

Senior Marija Ozolins, co-president of S.E.E.D. (Students Educating and Empowering Diversity), said that she is excited about the recent schedule change.

"I think it sends a really great message, that we are trying to make our school modern and attractive to students from all kinds of different backgrounds," Ozolins said. "This sends a message of solidarity in upholding the statement of community values."

The MLK Student Celebration Committee, an informal, student-led campus organization, has petitioned and organized efforts since November 2006 for the University to honor Martin Luther King Day.

Ozolins, a member of the committee, helped gather nearly 1000 student, faculty, and staff signatures for the petition.

"We submitted the proposal in the spring of 2007 and had a meeting with President Frawley and other VPs where we made our case," Ozolins said. "Frawley seemed open to it and, before he left the University, we think he would have gone through with canceling classes."

This January, the celebration committee submitted a second proposal to Bernard Chirico, vice president of student affairs, and Cedric Rucker, dean of student life. Chirico and Rucker brought the proposal to the administration for executive approval.

Hurley said that the student committee's petition played an important part in the decision to cancel classes in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I tell folks that in the last two years we have become much more student-centered and that we have responded to a number of requests for changes that students have made," he said.

Noting the racially insensitive poster found in Jefferson Hall on Oct. 15, and the unity march that stemmed from it, some students find it difficult to believe that there is no connection between the discriminatory events and the decision to cancel school on Martin Luther King Day.

Senior Jennifer Bryant, co-president of S.E.E.D., mentions that possibility.

"There has been a great deal of student activism this year, particularly on this issue, and I think that showed the faculty and administration that we were serious about it," Bryant said. "After several discriminatory incidents in the past few years, this was not an issue that could be ignored and I'm proud that everyone stepped up the way they did."

Anthony agrees that the march contributed to the recent cancellation.

"I think the march had a huge impact on this decision because it showed that UMW students, faculty, staff, and the community had united on a common concept - the proper and official observance of MLK Day," Anthony said.

In regard to the Jefferson Hall incident last fall, Hurley said "I would be less than truthful if I didn't admit that that incident and everything I learned from it did not influence my thinking."

A mistake in the initial announcement, in which it appeared that the lost school day would be made up for by the first Monday during Spring Break, had some faculty confused.

A second e-mail clarified the misunderstanding, stating that no additional day was added to the academic calendar.

Beginning next year, the University will remain open as usual on the first Monday of Spring Break for all employees except teaching faculty.

Op-Ed Piece, Feb. '08

Printed in The Bullet February 7, 2008, my response to two previous letters--
"Fascism Described as 'Patriotism'" ( Jan. 24, 2008, The Bullet.) and "Finally, American Fascism is Called to Our Attention" ( Jan. 31, 2008. The Bullet)

The Falsehood of Fascism


Dear Editor:

In response to the two recent opinion pieces that supported that America's tendency for nationalism has deconstructed into fascism, I would like to pose to these young men the following questions: Do you think a man or woman in any other country in this world could exercise those same freedoms of speech as those that were used to print these two editorials? Do you think any government other than one structured upon democratic principles would allow you to make such an ineffective decision in the recent utility of your freedoms, and in doing so, also mock its government, its industries, and its leaders?

If the leaders and politicians in this democracy did not work or hold promise to protect our country, we would lose our freedom entirely. There would not be a campus with open-ended, student-intervening policies. There would be no publication of student assumptions that our country, which gave to you your pen, paper, and college education, is going down this so called "fascist" road.

Perhaps America has seen better leaders in its time. Perhaps our country's political aims have not always succeeded. However, the United States has done more than any other country to bring to others democracy, economic incentive, and self governance. These actions are made with the hope of bringing a better way of life to people, a life that is taken for granted more and more by our own homeland citizens, many of whom have every upper middle class amenity at their fingertips.

What Brian Ogle and Jeff May claim to be a downward spiral toward fascism in this country is in fact the inevitable growth of industrialization and globalization. The industrial, technologically advanced age that we live in is not something America could back out of, nor should we. If we are to back off from the aggressive position that this nation has in world industry, there are countries-China, India, Russia, the UK, Pakistan-that are more than willing to attempt to take our place. It is competition, not fascism, that motivates this industrial development, and running out of oil is the only thing that can propel us to seek alternatives.

There is no fascism in a global competition for free-trade. This is a basic component of capitalism, which is the most tolerant form of government. It is how our own country is driven, and the only reason students like you and I can even hope for the futures that we are working toward. To believe that nationalism for this country is hindering peace and well being is an illogical argument when one has, for his entire life, benefited from that very same system.

With the coming election, let us keep the ludicrous assumptions at bay. World peace is a virtuous ideal, but in this age of technology and industry, it is hard to achieve. We must also face our current situation. Let us take a fair look not only at our hopes for the future, but at the reality of America's position, nationally and internationally. Let us not believe that a Democrat is the answer simply because our current leader is a Republican. Similarly, let us not think that any other Republican is the answer, either. If the campaigns look like propaganda, look deeper than television broadcasts. It is not the politician with the finest speech, it is he whose plan is plausible, can be reached, and best for the country based on the circumstances.

Ideas want to be free...

I was speaking to a close friend of mine this morning, a comp. science major in fact, and our conversation kept circling back to one key idea: that ideas want to be free. It is true that in our daily interactions with people, our thoughts on a piece of literature, a scandal that went on near your home neighborhood, the financial pitfall a local restaurant faced, forcing it to call it quits. More importantly, we have these ideas streaming through our minds, through our mouths about how to change where we live, how to make life better on weekends, how to get people more involved and raise the awareness you want to with your most recent endeavors. We are all trying to get those ideas going on the front burner, and really, there is no better time than right now to be making those ideas true. Look at the brilliance of the internet, of online programs that allow whomever is reading my ideas, to be doing just that, reading my ideas. Not only that, as if such a forum wasn't great enough, but these ideas are flowing freely, the same as if we were all truly having this interconnected, webbing conversation. What we have available not only in our environments, but even at our fingertips, is more than necessary to start change. Ideas want to be free, and now that they are, shouldn't we make the most of them?