From April 22 to 23, SUNY Brockport, in collaboration with the Social Work Department and Willow Center for Domestic Violence, hosted its Annual Clothesline Project in the Union Ballroom.
The Clothesline Project was started in Massachusetts in 1990 to honor the 51,000 U.S women that were killed during the same time period that 58,00 soldiers were killed in the Vietnam War. Colored shirts were hung in the streets to raise awareness of the attack of violence on girls and women every day.
At SUNY Brockport, this was no different, with a bell being rung every time a woman was beaten, a whistle sounding each time a rape was reported, and a gong being struck every time a girl or woman was killed due to violence. These sounds played in the ballroom while colored shirts emblazoned with messages from those sharing their stories were laid out onto tables of both the East and West Ballrooms.
Volunteers helped to run the event, one of which being transfer student and social work major Genevieve Chase.
“The desired outcome is to break the silence, this is about raising awareness,” Chase said.
Before visitors stepped into the room, multiple trigger warnings and content disclaimers were given, and resources for mental health were available at every opportunity. This included making mindful self-care bags and cards with helplines to organizations such as Hazen Heath Center and Willow Center for Domestic Violence.
“It’s important to humanize the statistics that you read about. These are T-shirts and stories shared by Brockport students and staff. So all of these stories come from a community that you are a part of,” Chase said.
Each shirt color represents a different type of circumstance, whether this be death from violence, assault experienced during childhood or other types of violence.
One attendee of the event, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the event was moving and powerful.
“Yes, the Clothesline Project is a very serious event, however to be in a room and imagine those being outspoken and loud and sharing their stories was very empowering,” they said.
SUNY Brockport is a proud host of the annual installment of the Clothesline Project as part of the college’s efforts to end sexual violence.
SUNY Brockport says that “The t-shirt display serves as a moving testimony to the impact of violence and the resilience of those affected. The CLP fosters a supportive environment where survivors’ voices are heard, and the campus community can engage in dialogue, reflection, and advocacy.”
Those that went into the Ballroom to see the Clothesline Project were also given the opportunity to place their painted hand print on a banner as a pledge to help end the violence and cultures that led to the horrible experiences reflected on the t-shirts.
“Giving visibility to these personal stories empowers individuals to break the silence and work toward a future free of violence,” the college stated.
To those who have experienced assault or violence, you are not alone. This is the message of the Clothesline Project, and the goal of this initiative and those like it is to encourage people to speak out against sexual violence to finally put an end to these injustices.
