As I was on the Bremerton Ferry heading to Seattle for the Slut Walk last weekend, amongst all the Seattle Mariners fans, I found a few other Kitsap County folks heading to the Slut Walk.  It was great to see other Kitsap County folks making the trek over to Seattle to help get the message out – rape is caused by rapists, not by what the victims wear.

Some of the other Slut Walkers were from a Kitsap County support group for women who are survivors of child abuse – Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASAC) Kitsap.  ASCA is a community based peer support group that provides a safe place for survivors to be themselves, and be there for each other.  The group started up in January and attendance at the weekly meetings ranges from 7 to 15.  This is an important resource here in Kitsap County and I will include their contact and other information at the end.

The Seattle Slut Walk was part of an international movement sparked by comments made by a Toronto police officer who offered advice to women to “avoid dressing like sluts” to prevent them from being assaulted – the old blame the victim school of thought that apparently is not as old as I thought it was.  Needless to say, and rightfully so, the advice has not been well received.

The Slut Walkers were a diverse group including many men, some dressed pretty sluttty in their own way.  There were even some dogs dressing the part.

At the end of the Slut Walk, there was a rally near Westlake Center.  As part of the speeches we were treated to some slam style poetry by Tara Hardy of the Bent Institute.  She really tells it like it is, in her unique creative way.

Some of the signs were fun, and some of the outfits were whimsical.  However, at the rally as some women bravely told all of us their stories of being assaulted, we were reminded of what we were all really there for.

~ Marcie

Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA) Kitsap meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:30pm at the Lincoln Ave Bible Church in Bremerton.
“The effects of child abuse are life-long, they do not have to be a life-sentence!”
For more information, email them at: ascakitsap@yahoo.com

Participating in fund raising walks for cancer is always a profound experience for me, especially ones for breast cancer, and this year’s Race for the Cure in Seattle was no exception.  I have participated in the Race for the Cure several times over the years, and also completed the 3-Day walk a few years ago.  Both of these events benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

As I walked this year, and reflected on what the walk means, I watched the other walkers to see what I could tell of their stories.  Many walked in support of or in memory of a loved one, and were wearing handwritten signs or printed t-shirts to tell that part of their story.  It was not always obvious, though, who that person was to the walker.  Other walkers wore special “Survivor” T-shirts and pink hats to tell us that they were indeed survivors of the devastation of breast cancer.

Another thing I noticed as I walked was the diversity of folks that were walking.  There were men and women, of many ages, colors, and sizes.   There were women of faith with their heads covered by scarves in modesty, and others with provocative ornaments on their chests.  Some wore t-shirts with flamboyant team names using words normally considered irreverent, yet seemed so appropriate for this occasion.  People were encouraged to wear costumes and many did, including both men and women wearing pink tutus, one man with matching knee high pink argyle socks.  Pink was definitely the theme color of the day.

We were even met with diversity at the finish line  – First by Blue Thunder, the Seahawks drum line, and then a little ways further by belly dancers.

I know that breast cancer is not any more important than all the other cancers out there, but breast cancer has touched so many of my friends and their families, as well as public figures that have inspired me, and has had a more significant impact on my life.

According to their  web page, this year’s Race for the Cure in Seattle had over 13,000 runners, walkers and volunteers, and raised $1.6 million.

~ Marcie