Friday, March 30, 2007
The Clothesline Project
April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month so I’m a few days premature with my posting, but want to get the word out about The Clothesline Project.
This project was started in 1990 as a way to bring awareness to violence against women. It is also a way to give a “voice” to survivors, who often never report or talk about their assault. What started out with 31 shirts has now grown to over 50,000.
“The concept was simple - let each woman tell her story in her own unique way, using words and/or artwork to decorate her shirt. Once finished, she would then hang her shirt on the clothesline. This very action serves many purposes. It acts as an educational tool for those who come to view the Clothesline; it becomes a healing tool for anyone who makes a shirt - by hanging the shirt on the line, survivors, friends and family can literally turn their back on some of that pain of their experience and walk away; finally it allows those who are still suffering in silence to understand that they are not alone.”
If your in San Antonio and want to participate, the T-Shirts are due at the The Rape Crisis Center by April 11th. I know some of the universities also have their own clothesline projects. If you are out of San Antonio look up your local Rape Crisis Center and ask when they are taking shirts. The shirts here in town will be hung at the Take Back The Night Rally on the 24th and also at the Alamo Drafthouse on the 12th.
-Melissa
