Take Back Denim
By Lauren Uliana
Photographed | Victoria Tzorbatzoglou
Last night, Measure had the opportunity to participate in the Title IX’s office annual “Take Back the Night” event. “Take Back the Night” is a national movement focused on survivor empowerment and ending sexual violence,” described by Title IX Outreach Coordinator, Eliza Benfer. Marist typically takes a more art-focused approach to their “Take Back the Night”, so more students are able to participate in addition to recognizing a wide range of healing methods. Survivors are encouraged to share their poetry, music, and any form of artistic expression. Through art, survivors can share their journeys as well as find community with each other.
Last night began with the team walking around visiting all the booths as well as checking out the food selection, which included a fry bar and ice cream station. Beyond the refreshments were various tables, like the SGA one, where attendees got the chance to make their own protest sign. Another table, which the library was hosting, included poetry from survivors and artwork.
Measure was seated at a booth where the team was putting together a tapestry of denim squares that were created from last year’s Denim Day event. Denim Day came about because of an Italian Supreme Court case that occurred in the 90s. In which a woman was raped, and her assailant, who originally was found guilty, applied for the case to be overturned, claiming the interaction was consensual. When the court reviewed the case, they determined his application for the case to be overturned was valid because her jeans were so tight that it would require two people to take them off. Protests began in Italy, and eventually an organization in California caught on and brought this form of resistance fashion to America. Denim Day gives survivors and allies a day to give new meaning to the garment. The Measure team was able to create a collage of kind words, which formed a tapestry of empowerment.
Photographed | Victoria Tzorbatzoglou
Most importantly, “Take Back the Night” centered around giving survivors the space to share their stories. “I’ve been alone with my story for the majority of my life, but for this one day each year, I get to share and feel a beautiful connection to everyone in the room: survivor or not,” junior, Isabel Padilla shared. The open mic portion of yesterday evening was beyond moving; the Title IX office works extremely hard to curate an environment where all survivors feel safe and heard. Padilla expanded on this, “They let us speak, and that is something hard to find in real life. I think the fact this event values participant and audience autonomy and comfort is a huge reason I feel safe enough to share and listen.” Throughout this portion, more and more survivors felt empowered to partake in sharing, forming a community in the room. Sexual violence on any level is a common occurrence, so it is imperative that these spaces exist in order to destigmatize what so many experience. It was an honor for Measure to be able to contribute to “Take Back the Night” as fashion has a storied history of resistance. But clothing does not define you, nor does sexual assault.
