Thursday's in Black is an international event. It began as a grassroots
response to rape and violence against women in Argentina in early 1970's.
During that time in Argentina, women were being raped, murdered, and
disappearing in alarming numbers. In, response local feminist organizers
begin organizing "Thursday's in Black" to raise awareness about the
violence that women faced, and to put pressure on governmental officials
to do more to stop the violence.
Since those beginnings, Thursday's in Black has been taken up by
communities in Bosnia, Israel, the Sudan, New Zealand and throughout
Europe. It has more recently begun happening in the United States, mostly
on college campuses. Indiana University students initiated the campaign
on this campus for the first time in April 2004.
Thursday's in Black is always locally organized. There is no
international, national, or even state-wide effort to create or build on
Thursday's in Black. In this way local communities create their own
Thursday's in Black in a way that makes the most sense for them and which
addresses the specific issues faced by their own community.
At IU, RAISE (Raising Awareness of Interactions in Sexual Encounters) is
the student organization at the forefront of sexual assault awareness and
prevention initiatives on campus. In addition to training volunteers as
peer presenters for the "He Said, She Said" interactive workshop, RAISE
also has a men's program called "No Excuse" and looks for campus education
and organizing opportunities around these issues. We believe that the
solution to rape and violence against women lies within the culture of
campus and the performance of masculinity.
RAISE works in partnership with Middleway House (the local women's shelter
and rape crisis line) and other community-based groups. Domestic Violence
Awareness Month (October) and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) are
two key campaigns within this community-wide education and organizing
effort. Thursday's in Black is but one of the efforts that we organize
during April.
RAISE and Middleway House invite you to participate in Thursday's in Black
in ways that make the most sense for you. We have developed this
organizing packet to assist you in raising awareness about the issues, but
there are plenty of other things you can do. You can also contact us to
find out about the other events and programs happening during April or
October. You can invite one of our peer educators to come speak to your
group, club, floor, house or class about the issues and/or about how you
can be part of the solution. You can become a volunteer in RAISE
yourself. You can organize a vigil in your neighborhood in honor of the
victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. You can organize an
ongoing discussion group about the issues and explore how your community
is affected (RAISE volunteers can also assist you in organizing this
effort or providing speakers or facilitators).
Sexual Assault and domestic violence has an impact on all parts of our
campus and community and every person can be part of the solution. Demand
an end to Rape and Violence!!! Thank-you for taking a part and we look
forward to working with you.
For More information, Contact:
RAISE
Office of Women's Affairs
Memorial Hall East
RAISE@indiana.edu