by Erica Scoville, Senior Reporter
Members of the Laurentian community gathered to show support and solidarity at Sudbury’s Take Back The Night march on Wednesday, September 19 at the N’Swakamok Friendship Centre in downtown
Sudbury.Professor Laurel O’Gorman, of Laurentian’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies department, explained the origin of Take Back The Night in an opening speech and discussed how there are more reasons for us to be marching now than ever.
“[Take Back The Night] started as a response to actual acts of violence that happened to women who were walking outside at night and were stabbed, sexually assaulted, or injured in some way—usually by men,” O’Gorman said.
“It was partly an outcry protest” she said. “[People] were getting angry that this [kept] happening. It was also a way to say it is not the victim’s fault.”
O’Gorman also explained why it was important for both her and her students to attend Take Back The Night.
“I think it’s really important to support all people who have been affected by violence.”
“About a third of women experience sexual violence in their lifetime. That’s a large number. That’s like an epidemic number. We really need to do something about that, and by trying to use the criminal justice system and punishing a few perpetrators nothing is happening”
I think we really need to take to the streets and be seen, be visible, be loud, and take back the night” she said.
Sexual violence was one of many issues highlighted Wednesday night. Colonialism, racism, and all forms of oppression were also being protested.
Ryan Wildgoose, PhD student and Co-Director of Pride Laurentian, explained what the evening meant to him.
“It’s about making sure everybody is safe, happy, and able to live their lives without fear or pain,” he said.
“Violence happens on the streets all the time, mostly to women, but to people of all kinds. Queer people, minorities, and Take Back The Night is about making sure that everybody is safe on the streets and that everybody is safe from violence” Wildgoose said.
“This Take Back The Night is especially important because the themes tonight are anti-colonialism, anti- racist, and anti-oppression, and we really need to make it clear that violence happens at an intersectional level, it’s not just women who get hurt, it’s not just queer people who get hurt, it’s queer women, it’s black women, it’s indigenous women, it’s trans women.”
“All people need to come together and make sure that everybody in their community is safe,” he said.
Other focal points throughout the evening were the cuts made recently by Doug Ford and the Conservative party, particularly both the sex-ed and Truth and Reconciliation curriculum.
SGA/AGÉ president, Tommi-Lee Gauthier also present shared why she felt it was important for her to attend.
“I have a daughter and I want to make sure that she is aware of the systems of oppression that affect women,” Gauthier said. “Another part of being here is supporting all women and the women presenting people in my life.”
“Women are disproportionately affected by violence, and it’s intersectional, so if you’re a woman, if you’re a trans woman, if you’re a black woman, obviously violence is going to affect you at a higher rate than [it would] a white woman,” Gauthier said.
“That’s why it’s important to focus on the anti-colonial aspect, on the anti-oppressive aspect, and on the anti-racism aspect, because as much as women are disproportionately affected by racism, [certain women are] further marginalize[d] and we need to stand up and fight for everyone.”
“It’s just important to show that we’re here, we’re loud, [and] we’re proud. It’s important to support all the different women in our lives and show solidarity” she said.
Rachel Peters, Concurrent Education student, reflected on what Take Back The Night meant to her and why it is something she participates in yearly.
“[Take Back The Night] is a time to embrace who you are, your individuality, and celebrate the fact that no matter who you are, we’re here to reclaim the space that has been taken from us,” Peters said.
“It’s important for me to be here, not only as a woman but as cis-white woman, to represent those of us who do not identify that way and have either lost their voice or feel as if though they do not have a voice” Peters said.
“Being able to be here with all of my friends that identify as something different whether that be cis or trans, LGBTQ+, or are of a different race, I feel it’s important to celebrate them more so than to celebrate me.”
Another form of oppression being protested at Take Back The Night was body shaming and fat shaming. Bethany Simonson, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies student revealed another reason for marching.
“People who are marginalized are constantly told that they cannot occupy space, so by occupying space, [we are] saying we deserve to be here,” Simonson said.
“As a person who is kind of overweight, I have always felt that I cannot take up space, whether that’s in public transport, whether that’s just in a classroom, with my voice or with my body,” she said.
“By being here tonight I am saying and showing myself, as well as others, that I do deserve to have my voice heard and for myself to be seen and that I’m just as deserving as anyone else to take that space.”