A little bit about me

A Little Bit about ME!

My name is Xavier Arias and I am a 22 year old Senior at Bridgewater State University. I am originally from the Dominican Republic, but I currently live in Brockton, MA. 

I always wanted to help, and felt the need to help others, as well as advocate for social justice. I also have a disabled brother and I understand the limitations that he has, this is why I wanted to be someone that is known for helping others.

I am interested in learning more and be involved with my communities and organizations because it is important to understand what resources can we obtain and which resources can we provide for those in need. We are constantly involved with our community and we are in contact with many different populations.

I know this semester I will expand my knowledge a lot more because we will be exposed to many different things, as well as work with our communities, and learn more about different populations. This class will help me and my classmates to realize how important it is to learn and value our communties and how we can help those who need us.

I believe that everyone participating, doing the assigned work, paying attention and being active is essential to make a really great class.

If I could have one magical power I would "FLY". I love to travel so I would travel anywhere if I was able to fly.

Four interesting things about me, I am shy, I laugh a lot!, I sing, and I speak three languages. I have always been shy since I was a child. I do laugh a lot and all of you will see this when we first meet on January 31st. I speak Englih, Spanish and Cape Verdean Creole, and I am learning Italian.

I enjoy singing, and playing board games for fun. I love playing Family Feud and Battle of the Sexes.

If I could solve one major problem, I would develop an Immigration Reform, because currently illegal immigration is separating families.

My dream job would be to work as a Director of a big organization.

I would also like to become a famous singer or actor, because I enjoy entertaining people.

SCWK 432 - The Clothesline Project

 I am honored to have researched and to be able to inform you about the Clothesline Project.

 It was first introduced in the 1990's by visual artist, Rachel Carey-Harper. The Clothesline Project honors women survivors as well as victims of intimate violence. The concept was simple - let each woman tell her story in her own unique way, using words and/or artwork to decorate her shirt. Once finished, she would then hang her shirt on the clothesline. (http://www.clotheslineproject.org/index.htm) 

The original project started with 31 shirts on a village in Hyannis, MA as part of an

event, called "Take back the night",  as the day went by more women kept creating more

shirts, and the line kept growing. Participating in this project gives every women who has

survived domestic violence, a new voice and it gives them the opportunity to take all that

frustration and sadness out of their minds.

I am happy that after all of those deaths during the Vietnam war, a brave woman

made her voice be heard and now we have this powerful project that helps other women

who suffer because of domestic violence.

There are many reasons and causes that many people think are a motive for a men

to hit a woman, but personally I think a men should never put his hands on a woman.

Culture is definitely a root cause. Many men in other countries are allowed to hit their wives

if they do not follow their commands, such as washing the dishes, doing the laundry,

cooking, or simply anything that the man desires at that moment. Economic factors also

influence men to become violent. Not having enough money at home to cover the bills or to

buy food could be a cause for an argument and therefore violence.

                                                                             

 Some examples of other successful programs include,  , at the

University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  "Voices Against Violence regards participants as

empowered bystanders who can confront abusive or violent peers. A major focus of the

program is on men, because while most men do not commit violence, most violence is

committed by men. Voices Against Violence challenges all forms of violence, particularly

men's violence against women." (http://www.umass.edu/uhs/health/getinvolved/voices/)

 The Brown and Homan chapters have a very important connection to this project

and many other community interventions. Mark S. Homan mentions that social workers are

change agents. It's important to"assist people in their efforts to lead full and satisfying

lives." (Homan, p.74) Homan also mentions an example of Lorena, an immigrant who lives

with a violent man who beats her up. She is afraid as many other women are to report it

because she thinks that she will be deported. When we hear cases like Lorena's we should act

as change agents and provide them with counseling and suggest to report the abuse, this

way her life will change from a negative view to a positive one. On the other hand, Brown

mentions the concept of building powerful community organization that are a two-way

street, meaning that the "organization helps you.", and "you help the organization." 

(Brown, p. 336)

         

 In the case of the Clothesline Project, desinging shirts helps women take out that

frustration inside of them, they are helping the organization because the more shirts that

are created proves that more women are being abused and that a change is needed. Also, the

project provides them with the necessary equiptment to decorate the shirts, so there is

mutual help.

                       Please watch the following video, it is very interesting!