2008 Woodie Awards
Men in white ribbons unite to stem violence against women
Polly Johnson
Issue date: 1/10/07 Section: Features
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Member Matthew Macfarlane '09 emphasized that the group was still in the planning stages but is planning to mount a bigger campaign over J-Term, after its initial meeting. Explaining his decision to join the campaign, he described it as "a really interesting idea, something that is not talked about and is very hush-hush," and an issue that should be examined and tackled from "a guy's perspective." Member Nick Ballen '09 echoed, "We felt that it would be a positive and fresh message to have an anti-domestic violence campaign run solely by men."
Will Hunt '07.5, who is not a member of the WRC but who signed the bulletin board in the library, said of his reasons for supporting the cause, "I have friends and family who are victims of abuse and I've seen how devastating it can be. When I hear these stories and cringe at how monstrous these men are, part of me is wondering, 'Can I, as a man, band together with other men to prevent this from happening?' The White Ribbon Campaign operates under this ethic and I think it fills an important role in anti-abuse activism."
It is the hope of Beattie and all the male members of Middlebury's White Ribbon Campaign to continue to raise and spread awareness both on campus and in the larger community. Beattie acknowledged the seemingly insignificant yet extremely powerful act of wearing a ribbon, stating, "Although signing a pledge to remain non-violent and to confront violence when it appears may seem like a small effort, being responsible examples for other men is certainly the single most important action a man can take."
Will Hunt '07.5, who is not a member of the WRC but who signed the bulletin board in the library, said of his reasons for supporting the cause, "I have friends and family who are victims of abuse and I've seen how devastating it can be. When I hear these stories and cringe at how monstrous these men are, part of me is wondering, 'Can I, as a man, band together with other men to prevent this from happening?' The White Ribbon Campaign operates under this ethic and I think it fills an important role in anti-abuse activism."
It is the hope of Beattie and all the male members of Middlebury's White Ribbon Campaign to continue to raise and spread awareness both on campus and in the larger community. Beattie acknowledged the seemingly insignificant yet extremely powerful act of wearing a ribbon, stating, "Although signing a pledge to remain non-violent and to confront violence when it appears may seem like a small effort, being responsible examples for other men is certainly the single most important action a man can take."
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