Spring Break
Victims given chance to share emotions with verse
Wine and mellow setting greets Wine and mellow setting greets Sexual Assault Awareness Week
Marques Alexander
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News
Sexual assault is a reoccurring act of violence that has plagued many universities around the nation. During Thursday night's Poetry Jam, students and others were able to express their support for victims.
As the wine poured and students filled the Sahalie Wine Cellar in downtown Corvallis for the Poetry Jam, it was evident that people had a lot to talk about.
The Poetry Jam gave many of the participants a way to release emotions and anger as they told stories and shared their expressions. Through songs and poetry participants cried out against sexual assault and the effects it has had on their lives and society.
Otavio Merecias, a graduate student in contemporary Latin American Affairs and a member of OSU's Black Poets Society, read a poem that touched the hearts of the room, called "Another Silent Victim."
Merecias believes it is everyone's responsibility as American citizens to try to send a message to make change.
"We as a society have evolved and it's the work of the citizens," he said.
"We as citizens have a moral responsibility for the well being of people in this country."
One of the participants voiced her cries as she recited Martin Luther King's "We Shall Overcome" speech while another participant spoke with anger while she yelled "Don't ever underestimate a voice!"
Many students came out to support the event and spoke of being impacted by the participants' messages.
"The Poetry Jam gave me an insight of the healing process of victims of sexual assault," said Erika Ancien, a senior in the College of Business.
Although Sexual Assault Awareness Week is almost over, the fight to stop these acts of aggression is not. This week aims to remind students to be aware of the dangers of sexual predators and that sexual assault happens every day.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week concludes today at 1 p.m. in the Women's Center for closing discussions.
As the wine poured and students filled the Sahalie Wine Cellar in downtown Corvallis for the Poetry Jam, it was evident that people had a lot to talk about.
The Poetry Jam gave many of the participants a way to release emotions and anger as they told stories and shared their expressions. Through songs and poetry participants cried out against sexual assault and the effects it has had on their lives and society.
Otavio Merecias, a graduate student in contemporary Latin American Affairs and a member of OSU's Black Poets Society, read a poem that touched the hearts of the room, called "Another Silent Victim."
Merecias believes it is everyone's responsibility as American citizens to try to send a message to make change.
"We as a society have evolved and it's the work of the citizens," he said.
"We as citizens have a moral responsibility for the well being of people in this country."
One of the participants voiced her cries as she recited Martin Luther King's "We Shall Overcome" speech while another participant spoke with anger while she yelled "Don't ever underestimate a voice!"
Many students came out to support the event and spoke of being impacted by the participants' messages.
"The Poetry Jam gave me an insight of the healing process of victims of sexual assault," said Erika Ancien, a senior in the College of Business.
Although Sexual Assault Awareness Week is almost over, the fight to stop these acts of aggression is not. This week aims to remind students to be aware of the dangers of sexual predators and that sexual assault happens every day.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week concludes today at 1 p.m. in the Women's Center for closing discussions.
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