MARS event part of efforts of MU Rape Awareness Week

By Genevieve Conti

Published Sept. 23, 2008

MU students and members of the Columbia community gathered Monday to take a more artistic stance in raising awareness of rape and sexual assault.

The event, Men Speak Out Against Violence, is one of many taking place during this year's Rape Awareness Week. The event was sponsored by Men Against Relationship and Sexual Violence, one of the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center's groups, and was held in the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

Participants shared original songs and poems as well as published works and personal stories. Sharon Giles, a coordinator for the center, also encouraged audience members who didn't have pieces prepared to read from a book of poems if they felt moved to.

While many of the poems read had serious tones, a few focused on the positive elements that come from standing up against rape and sexual violence.

Robert Williams, a community member, recited an original poem titled "Real Man."

"The poem is about men stepping up in a relationship," Williams told the audience. "I think men can make a difference-a huge difference. That's why I'm here."

Kourtney Mitchell, emcee for the evening, said she thought the turnout for the event was much better than expected.

"Tonight came together so well," she said. "We had more people share than we thought we would."

Mitchell formerly worked for The Maneater.

Mitchell, who has been a member of MARS since 2006, performed a poem with two other MARS members entitled "This Is For You," a piece that spoke to women from men. The three men were asked to do an encore performance of the piece because it was so well received by the audience.

"Tonight is about equality," Mitchell said while addressing the crowd. "It's about justice. It's about women, bottom line."

Rape Awareness Week will end with a march and rally called "Take Back the Night" with the group Men Stopping Violence as guest speakers. The march will follow the rally that takes place Thursday night in Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union from 6-8 p.m.