Hanging by a Thread

For a third consecutive year, the Clothesline Project, which helps voice the concerns of violence against women, was conducted on Georgia College and State University’s front campus.

Over 150 shirts have been elaborately decorated and displayed with the intent to help women cope with abusive situations. The shirts serve as a healing project for victims while giving citizens a chance to understand the danger and complexity of abusive situations.

Senior Jennifer Linden-berger and co-coordinator Jennifer Graham Stephens head the project. According to Lindenberger, the project is gaining a lot of interest.

“In the week leading up to the display, hundreds of women participated in the shirt decorating and we look forward to a great week,” she said.

Students and teachers helped support the project by providing shirts.

“Fraternities and sororities played a big role in providing shirts, but other students and teachers also helped gather the shirts for the project.”

The t-shirts are divided into different colors that represent different abusive situations. For instance, a black shirt represents a woman with disabilities who has been abused or assaulted while a gray shirt symbolizes a woman who has been emotionally abused.

Students that showed up for the first day of the display were already inspired by the project. Freshman Sara Abis said, “It’s a tragic thing that anyone ever gets victimized, but it is always great when women speak out about such problems.”

Scott Murray, also a freshman, was equally impressed by the display. “It made me realize that domestic violence is a widespread problem.” Reactions such as these really make the project seem like a success.

However, not all reactions have been positive. Linden-berger said, “People have different views of the project. Many liked seeing that the project was returning for a third year, while others find the shirts somewhat abrasive and disturbing.” She continued, “However, the shirts really help women in abusive situations realize that they are not alone and have people that care.”

According to Lindenber-ger, she expects the project to continue for a fourth consecutive year and encourages students to get involved. For more information, you may contact 456-8174.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 29 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry