4 minute read
T-Shirts share stories of strength
Denim Day brings awareness to and for sexual assault victims
Kevin Reynolds/ Roundup
The Clothesline Project set up a booth near Parking Lot 7 in honor of Denim Day last week.
Denim Day started in 1998 in Italy when a 45-year-old driving instructor was convicted of raping a 17-year-old driving student.
The instructor filed for an appeal and the case made it all the way to the Italian Supreme Court where a judge decided to overturn the ruling.
The judge stated that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she would have had to assist the driving instructor in taking them off. Therefore it was consensual and not rape.
The women on the Italian Parliament were so enraged by this that they all wore jeans to work that day in protest of the court’s decision.
Since 1999, the Peace Over Violence Organization has hosted Denim Day every year.
Holly Hagan, a buyer for the bookstore in association with the Clothesline Project hosts Denim Day at Pierce College every year.
The event asks students and faculty members to wear jeans to work and school.
The Clothesline Project also hosts an event every year in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, according to Hagan.
The occasion calls for students and faculty members who have been victims, or know victims, of domestic violence or sexual abuse to write their story on a T-Shirt that will then be hung from a clothesline for all to see.
Child development major, Sarah Moore, shares about the importance of being self-expressed and having safe outlets to go to.
“I have been through this stuff in the past,” Moore said. “It’s important to have someone to talk to. It has made me stronger.”
The colorful shirts are intended to catch the eyes of those walking by so that they can read the stories and become aware.
“At some point we hope that the shirts will span from one end of the mall to the other,” said Hagan.
Other students stopped by the booth to show support for their community.
“I have a lot of friends that have been victims of abuse,” said Edgar Deleon, 18-year-old psychology major. “I have a lot of respect for the people putting their stories out [there], it really gets to me.”
Hagan also collects the shirts at the end of the day and is working on compiling the
sayings and stories into a book. Professors, such as James McKeever and Jae Farkas, offered extra credit to the students that attended and participated.
The tragic stories touched the hearts of those who stopped to read them, as well as inspired others to tell their tails.
“My mom told me that my cousins were molested by their father and they didn’t know it wasn’t’ okay,” said Silvia Ramirez a 19-year-old pre vet major. “I think this is really good. People should know they don’t need to be afraid, and they should tell someone.”
There were volunteers including students and faculty members, helping to get the messages out.
“It’s not right, you shouldn’t be subjected to rape because of the clothes you’re wearing,” said Susan Perkins, a 25-year-old psychology major. “No matter what you go through there is someone that has been through what you have, and is willing to help you.”
The Clothesline Project will be back on the mall at Pierce College in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The exact date has yet to be determined.
