Come and join the fire! Even if you haven't been to the meetings, that's ok, join the chat! Any local feminist is allowed to come! Invite your friends! It's around dinner time but before Prime Time TV this Thursday December 18 at 7 pm so you won't miss your shows. Join us in this chat room to discuss anything feminist related and get connected to your local feminists! Just go to this link: http://www.chatzy.com/149239565475
Support your local feminist! :)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
My McCain protest experience
The first time that McCain came to the Virginia Beach Convention Center Crystal, Marc and I decided that we would peacefully protest. Well, the protest didn’t go exactly as we had imagined it but in the end, I’m glad that we did it. Our general idea was to make our presence known by basically just standing with signs to show our dissent. We were aware that we were going to face a large crowd of people who all had a specific mind frame-to elect McCain so we didn’t want to agitate the crowd more than we had to but we at least wanted to show them that Tidewater NOW was here and that we did not agree with McCain and his policies. We knew that we would not be well received with our dissenting signs. We intended to minimize our confrontation by standing across the street from the line; however the police officers informed us that we had to in fact, stand on the sidewalk WITH the line which in turn made our peaceful protest into a confrontational outrage.
The option to stand peacefully was difficult and at first I felt more like a pacifist allowing people to berate me. This type of pacifism infuriates me but I was lucky there were many other protesters there to help me drown them out. Code Pink was there, Steel Workers for America was there and many other groups and individuals were there pouring their hearts out. They demonstrated in a more aggressive way, far different than the way I had intended but it was more effective than I could have ever been if it had just been the three of us. They used not only their signs, but their voices with songs and chants. They were very well organized and brought a lot of of experience. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see them and to have them stand next to me. There is such truth in the phrase that “there is power in numbers.” If it had been just the three of us, we would have mauled.
By no means do I feel that we became victims to a large Republican bullying crowd-which is largely typical anyway. We did not allow ourselves to be victims. After reviewing, however the events of the protest; I recall that one woman was spat on. I remember the aggressive reactions that many people had and while I should not be surprised, I am. People said some strange things about why they supported McCain, why protesters were offensive and why they didn’t like Obama. People’s reactions to certain things surprised me and the way in which they dealt with it was unfortunate. I can understand and I am not surprised at the current backlash against President Elect Obama because I was there for their reactions to our protest of McCain. I still can’t help but still feel curious about the republican emotional machismo that so many typically have towards democrats and any dissent to their ideals.
While at the protest even when things were ugly, I still wanted to stand tall and remain true to my peaceful principals. It was difficult though because so many emotionally rendered reactions naturally made me defensive but I refused to stoop to their level. Even though it was different than I expected, I still had to realize of the position that I put myself in. I had expected it to be like the times that I had been to protests or other organized events and other protesters were there, I knew not to get emotional. I knew that everyone had a right to opinions and the freedom of speech. I knew how to handle other protesters and so I guess, I expected that others would be this way. In hindsight, I think that it was naive to have thought that but I am still proud of what I did. It was difficult to stand there person after person after person of ridiculousness and yet, I made it out without a scar. I have taken with me experience and plenty to ponder about.
The media had been there and a few articles mentioned the protesters. Both articles that I read logged the protesters as a “circus.” While, I can understand to a varying degree of where this could have come from, at the same time I am reminded of how the media and other groups view protesting as negative, entertaining and ridiculous. Not only was there bias in writing these articles but no credit or attempt to understand was given. I did not see any articles on how we counted on our hands the small amount of black people who attended. Everyone except for I believe we counted 4 black people came through the line?
I know that I will protest again however I have learned so much from this experience that I know I’ll never protest in this way again. The next protest that I plan will be much more productive and way more positive. I do not intend to ever again make myself a target and put myself in a position to test myself.
After seeing other protesters at the Obama Rally, it also gave me more perspective on the productive and unproductive ways to protest. I did ask myself what the protesters were trying to achieve by going to a group they knew already dissented. I feel as though they were there to make us feel badly about ourselves. I do not agree with this type of mentality and I hope to not ever be that person again.
It is difficult though because under our chapter regulations, we can not endorse a candidate. We can protest a candidate and so I will have to find a way to show that I disagree in a more positive way even if I can’t show my solidarity with the one that I do agree with. That makes for a long and complicated sentence however I am determined to grow from this experience and become a more credible, educated and informed activist. What am I protesting, what is my cause, why am I doing this and what are my expectations? The point to a protest is to produce results and well, that’s just exactly what I’m going to work towards.
The option to stand peacefully was difficult and at first I felt more like a pacifist allowing people to berate me. This type of pacifism infuriates me but I was lucky there were many other protesters there to help me drown them out. Code Pink was there, Steel Workers for America was there and many other groups and individuals were there pouring their hearts out. They demonstrated in a more aggressive way, far different than the way I had intended but it was more effective than I could have ever been if it had just been the three of us. They used not only their signs, but their voices with songs and chants. They were very well organized and brought a lot of of experience. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see them and to have them stand next to me. There is such truth in the phrase that “there is power in numbers.” If it had been just the three of us, we would have mauled.
By no means do I feel that we became victims to a large Republican bullying crowd-which is largely typical anyway. We did not allow ourselves to be victims. After reviewing, however the events of the protest; I recall that one woman was spat on. I remember the aggressive reactions that many people had and while I should not be surprised, I am. People said some strange things about why they supported McCain, why protesters were offensive and why they didn’t like Obama. People’s reactions to certain things surprised me and the way in which they dealt with it was unfortunate. I can understand and I am not surprised at the current backlash against President Elect Obama because I was there for their reactions to our protest of McCain. I still can’t help but still feel curious about the republican emotional machismo that so many typically have towards democrats and any dissent to their ideals.
While at the protest even when things were ugly, I still wanted to stand tall and remain true to my peaceful principals. It was difficult though because so many emotionally rendered reactions naturally made me defensive but I refused to stoop to their level. Even though it was different than I expected, I still had to realize of the position that I put myself in. I had expected it to be like the times that I had been to protests or other organized events and other protesters were there, I knew not to get emotional. I knew that everyone had a right to opinions and the freedom of speech. I knew how to handle other protesters and so I guess, I expected that others would be this way. In hindsight, I think that it was naive to have thought that but I am still proud of what I did. It was difficult to stand there person after person after person of ridiculousness and yet, I made it out without a scar. I have taken with me experience and plenty to ponder about.
The media had been there and a few articles mentioned the protesters. Both articles that I read logged the protesters as a “circus.” While, I can understand to a varying degree of where this could have come from, at the same time I am reminded of how the media and other groups view protesting as negative, entertaining and ridiculous. Not only was there bias in writing these articles but no credit or attempt to understand was given. I did not see any articles on how we counted on our hands the small amount of black people who attended. Everyone except for I believe we counted 4 black people came through the line?
I know that I will protest again however I have learned so much from this experience that I know I’ll never protest in this way again. The next protest that I plan will be much more productive and way more positive. I do not intend to ever again make myself a target and put myself in a position to test myself.
After seeing other protesters at the Obama Rally, it also gave me more perspective on the productive and unproductive ways to protest. I did ask myself what the protesters were trying to achieve by going to a group they knew already dissented. I feel as though they were there to make us feel badly about ourselves. I do not agree with this type of mentality and I hope to not ever be that person again.
It is difficult though because under our chapter regulations, we can not endorse a candidate. We can protest a candidate and so I will have to find a way to show that I disagree in a more positive way even if I can’t show my solidarity with the one that I do agree with. That makes for a long and complicated sentence however I am determined to grow from this experience and become a more credible, educated and informed activist. What am I protesting, what is my cause, why am I doing this and what are my expectations? The point to a protest is to produce results and well, that’s just exactly what I’m going to work towards.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
DO NOT PARK AT THE DOUBLE TREE HOTEL
This is an URGENT MESSAGE to everyone who plans to protest McCain on Monday. A comment from the Double Tree Hotel was posted on the Tidewater NOW blog and I was personally emailed to inform us that anyone from Tidewater NOW who parks or protests on their property WILL BE ARRESTED! It is LEGIT and I need your help to spread the word out to folks not to go on their property. Tidewater NOW does NOT want anyone arrested, we want a peaceful demonstration not negative publicity. I will try to make plans for a new meeting location-please stay tuned. Until further notice, please park in the paying garages near the convention center.
The message from Double Tree is this:
"We are the owners of the Doubletree Hotel and have reviewed your planned protest on hotel property. We need to inform you that hotel parking is free for hotel guests only and we strictly prohibit any type of public demonstrations on our private property. We will have security in place to prevent illegal use of our parking lot and for the protection of our guests. Anyone trespassing will be arrested and prosecuted.
We urge you to revise your plans immediately."
Thank you for your dedication, commitment and passion!
Kris
The message from Double Tree is this:
"We are the owners of the Doubletree Hotel and have reviewed your planned protest on hotel property. We need to inform you that hotel parking is free for hotel guests only and we strictly prohibit any type of public demonstrations on our private property. We will have security in place to prevent illegal use of our parking lot and for the protection of our guests. Anyone trespassing will be arrested and prosecuted.
We urge you to revise your plans immediately."
Thank you for your dedication, commitment and passion!
Kris
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Protest McCain!
Dear Fellow Feminists,
I am EXCITED to write this email with the details and plans for Monday's protest against McCain at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. First, let me begin by saying that we will have our Tidewater NOW meeting this Sunday in Newport News as planned. Anyone can attend-those interested in NOW and those interested in the protest. It will be at Aroma's where we will have a separate room set aside for us but it will be at NOON. I apologize for changing it from 4 pm to noon again, however due to the protest on Monday I needed to make a few schedule changes at work. Sunday's meeting will also be a poster making campaign so that we can be prepared for the protest. Please bring your own poster board, t-shirt or however you would like to display your message at the protest. We can also discuss at the meeting more plans for future protests, such as "Knockouts" the Hooters of Men's Salons (recently in the Virginian Pilot).
I already have one request to utilize the web cam. If you are interested or would like accommodations, please let me know.
Ok, here are the details for Monday, October 13's protest-
McCain will speak at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It will be begin at 10 am but since the doors open at 8 am, we should meet at the Doubletree Hotel Virginia Beach at 7 am. The hotel advertises free parking and we should try to be in place by 7:30 am. We will most likely not be allowed to protest on the Virginia Beach Convention Center's property but we'll have to get as close as we can. Please feel free to BRING YOUR FRIENDS!! The more, the merrier especially since there will be a lot of individuals who will not be able to attend since it's a Monday morning-the prime work time. I wouldn't usually request an RSVP however it would be incredibly helpful to know approximately how many people will be there. If you do not RSVP please do not be discouraged to come, we want as many individuals there as possible.
Some helpful links:
the pilot's story on the event
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/mccain-palin-appear-monday-beach-convention-center
aroma's coffee
http://www.aromasworld.com/index.html
driving directions to aroma's
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&daddr=706+Town+Center+Dr%2C+Newport+News%2C+VA+23606%2C+USA&om=1
doubletree hotel
http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/ORFBNDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Virginia-Beach-Virginia/index.do
virginia beach convention center
http://www.vbfun.com/conventionCenter/conventionCenter/default.asp
I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!! :)
--
http://web.mac.com/womynk/iWeb/TidewaterNOW/Welcome.html
http://tidewaternow.blogspot.com/
I am EXCITED to write this email with the details and plans for Monday's protest against McCain at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. First, let me begin by saying that we will have our Tidewater NOW meeting this Sunday in Newport News as planned. Anyone can attend-those interested in NOW and those interested in the protest. It will be at Aroma's where we will have a separate room set aside for us but it will be at NOON. I apologize for changing it from 4 pm to noon again, however due to the protest on Monday I needed to make a few schedule changes at work. Sunday's meeting will also be a poster making campaign so that we can be prepared for the protest. Please bring your own poster board, t-shirt or however you would like to display your message at the protest. We can also discuss at the meeting more plans for future protests, such as "Knockouts" the Hooters of Men's Salons (recently in the Virginian Pilot).
I already have one request to utilize the web cam. If you are interested or would like accommodations, please let me know.
Ok, here are the details for Monday, October 13's protest-
McCain will speak at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It will be begin at 10 am but since the doors open at 8 am, we should meet at the Doubletree Hotel Virginia Beach at 7 am. The hotel advertises free parking and we should try to be in place by 7:30 am. We will most likely not be allowed to protest on the Virginia Beach Convention Center's property but we'll have to get as close as we can. Please feel free to BRING YOUR FRIENDS!! The more, the merrier especially since there will be a lot of individuals who will not be able to attend since it's a Monday morning-the prime work time. I wouldn't usually request an RSVP however it would be incredibly helpful to know approximately how many people will be there. If you do not RSVP please do not be discouraged to come, we want as many individuals there as possible.
Some helpful links:
the pilot's story on the event
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/mccain-palin-appear-monday-beach-convention-center
aroma's coffee
http://www.aromasworld.com/index.html
driving directions to aroma's
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&daddr=706+Town+Center+Dr%2C+Newport+News%2C+VA+23606%2C+USA&om=1
doubletree hotel
http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/ORFBNDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Virginia-Beach-Virginia/index.do
virginia beach convention center
http://www.vbfun.com/conventionCenter/conventionCenter/default.asp
I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!! :)
--
http://web.mac.com/womynk/iWeb/TidewaterNOW/Welcome.html
http://tidewaternow.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tidewater NOW Website!
Check out the Tidewater NOW website! It is still under construction as we continue to grow as a chapter. We are still in the grassroots stages, so if you are interested to join or participate, then please do! We are actively trying to pursue all those interested and previously interested! :) http://web.mac.com/womynk/iWeb/TidewaterNOW/Welcome.html
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