Thoughts From the Dirty City

Help support The Rape Crisis Center of Summit and Medina County and Join us
for the Take Back The Night Walk in Akron!
When: Friday, October 10 @ 6-9pm
Where: First Grace United Church of Christ — 350 S. Portage Path, Akron

By the by – I did the design work and would love to know what everyone thinks (I am very insecure and need lots and lots of praise for my work….hehe)

Community to march to protest violence against women

HIGHLAND SQUARE — The Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties, Summit County Sexual Assault Coalition, University of Akron Women’s Studies Program, Akron Area NOW, Liberation in Progress (LIP) Service and members of the surrounding community will rally and march for “Take Back the Night” tonight, Oct. 10, in Highland Square.

“Take Back the Night” is an international movement that raises awareness and breaks the silence about oppression and violence against women, according to organizers.

The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at First Grace United Church of Christ, 350 S. Portage Path.

The evening will feature Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh delivering the keynote address and Plain Dealer journalist Joanna Connors and local arts advocate Ericka Abrams sharing their personal experiences. An interpretive dance piece by choreographer Sara Schwendeman also will be featured.

Following the rally, participants will march through Highland Square and return to First Grace Church for refreshments.

This year, the event also will include children’s activities, a meditative labyrinth experience, the Clothesline Project — a visual art display created by women whose lives have been touched by violence — and the documentary film “No! Confronting Sexual Assault in Our Community,” which deals with sexual violence issues in the African-American community.

The event is free and open to the public.

The other day I took a walk during my lunch break. I was just wandering around taking in my new surroundings and not really paying attention to where I was going (shocking I know) and got myself good and turned around.  I jogged a few blocks hoping to run accross a street i recognized to no avail. I was lost.

I scoped out the passersby looking for the least menacing character I could find. I spotted an older, nice looking gentleman with a dog (people with dogs always seem more trustworty). I asked him if he could point me in the direction I need to be.  He didn’t look up or make eye contact of any kind, or even make any gesture as to what direction I should head. He just calmly started giving me highly detailed directions. It seemed off, but whatever he was going to get me where I needed to be.  It wasn’t till about half way through his directions I realized he was blind….yup…I had to get directions from a blind man…