October Events

October Events:

Sustain Mizzou Food Drive
October 12th-16th

United States v. John Brown
October 15th, 7pm, Missouri Theater
John Brown, renowned 19th Century Abolitionist, led a raid on the pro-slavery settlement of Pottawatomie Creek in the Kansas Territory on May 24, 1856. Five men were dragged from their homes and murdered during the raid. Brown was never tried for these crimes. Until now. Please join us as a jury of your peers decides: was John Brown a freedom loving patriot who wanted equality for all men or was he full of hatred and desire to strike terror in the hearts of his countrymen?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168233997328&index=1

Social Justice Social & Last Chance to See
October 18th, 6pm, Amy's Apartment
Join Just Read for a social and movie night. We'll be watching Last Chance to See, about the crisis of endangered species. Hosted by Stephen Fry!

Voices Documentary
October 21st, 7pm, Chamber Aud
“Voices” is a documentary featuring stories of survivors of relationship and sexual violence. The documentary was a collaborative effort between the Stephens College film department and the Shelter. This film is a very emotional and graphic retelling of actual events in women’s lives. Panel discussion will follow.

Romanticizing Abuse

Twilight and Teen Dating Violence:

http://sparrow.beyondtherift.com/blog/?p=255

Twilight is of course not the only example of creepy/manipulative/abusive behavior being touted as romantic; Beauty and the Beast and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers both immediately come to mind.

I find romance a very troubling cultural concept because social norms of chivalry provide an effective mask for manipulation. Chivalry is based on a man protecting his partner, but this can also have the effect of making her emotionally, financially, or otherwise dependent on him. Culturally, women are taught to value these traits in their partner, which could hide warning signs of controlling behavior. With kindness, romance, and manipulation so closely linked, it can be confusing for those in an abusive relationship to understand their experience in the context of abuse.