An Activist and a Gentleman: Q+A with John John Newman
Obinna Obabukoh
Issue date: 3/14/05 Section: features
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I began to spend more time in the Women's Center because I recognized a partof campus and broader social life that depleted or limited me and my experience. As long as I shared time with women and men imprisoned by gendered roles and violence, I would not be free myself. I wanted to become more comfortable with the women and victims in my life. I wanted to simply be able to be with them.
What were some of the diffi culties you encountered in this task?
The interest on campus, yeah it's minimal. I think the issue is it's between victim advocates, feminists, and people who are actively working for gender equality - yeah between those people and people with - just separate interests, there's a lot of hostile dialogue.
You may be unaware of but we have had a recent controversy that exemplifi es your point on hostility. An article written in The Hustler proposing that girls not dress, act, or dance provocatively because doing this aids in their being raped received the indignation of many on campus. Students fi red back in letters to the editor and distributed
buttons declaring "dancing provocatively is not an invitation to rape
me" among other slogans. How do you feel this negativity aff ects the
problem?
I do, I wouldn't necessarily call it negative in the sense that it does not solve the problem of stopping the violence and rapes on campus. What it actually does is transfers the violence from hidden in the dark between the assailant and the victim to out the open between groups who I believe ultimately want the same thing.
What is your advice to others who wish to make a change?
Only that if I'm not in this with everyone including my enemies, than I'm not in it at all. If I'm not fighting the fight alongside everyone including my enemies, I'm only fighting with everyone, including myself.
How do you think you will continue these values in your future?
I'll try regardless with what I pursue to live the service as best I can and to live the love as best I can. Right now, medicine and healing seem to be the best way to do that. My primary concern is providing myself the opportunity to follow my heart and whether my career is public health or not, I know whatever direction I'll benefit.