Anne Barber
Where will you be on Monday June 13? I hope you will be participating in the organised flash mob for the “Slut Walk” that will be occurring in most Australian capitals and around the world.
The walk has been organised by young women who have been outraged by Canadian police remarks around an event which occurred in Canada, suggesting that the dress of a particular young woman was the cause of her problems. In January, 2011 a representative of the Toronto Police gave a shocking insight into the Force’s view of sexual assault by stating, “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised.”
In Sydney the mob will be assembling from 1.30pm at Sydney Town hall for a 2pm start. Dress is optional and depends on what you think a ‘slut’ would wear – I understand that there will be many in fishnet stockings.
On a cold, windy and possibly raining day in winter in Australia, this is dedication with a capital F for feminism – yet some participants may not even think of themselves as feminists.
The organisers appear to have run into the St. Andrews’ view of appropriate use of their 2/3rds of the Town Hall Square, (Sun Herald p.2, June 12, 2011/ Slutwalk hits Sydney) as happened to the organisers of the International Women’s Day march in March this year. The church’s archaic view of women’s place in the world is an excellent reason to continue to use Town Hall square as a meeting place for feminists and other uppity women. Our place is everywhere and we must protect our right to protest in public spaces.
As a long-term WEL member I am interested in observing the response of normally quiescent members of the public to become engaged and galvanised into political activism by organisations such as GetUp (which I admire and of which I am also a member). GetUp (like the Slut Walk organisers) has shown an ability to harness and mobilise short term enthusiasm for issues and events – a flash mob if you will. Equally of interest, is the political parties’ responses to such political activity, eg the government immediately banning live animal exports following the GetUp campaign.
I encourage you all to become politically active and join the Slut Walk and also to discover what WEL can offer in your new-found activism.
Anne Barber and WEL NSW Convenor Melanie Fernandez shared their thoughts on Slutwalk with The Sydney Morning Herald.
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