Monday, April 20, 2009
Bay Buchanan Article Published on Athens Exchange
My article on Bay Buchanan's visit to UGA to speak about her opinions on the failures of the feminist movement has recently been published on Athens Exchange. Click here to check it out.
Bay Buchanan Lectures on the Failures of Feminism
Former US Treasurer Bay Buchanan visited the University of Georgia on April 14 to host a lecture sharing her very specific opinions on the effects of feminism in the 21st century. A third floor room at the Zell B. Miller Learning Center had many students lining the walls as the conservative’s strong beliefs and right-wing approach to politics quickly shifted the issue at hand from feminism to the importance of marriage and family.
Buchanan was invited to guest speak by the conservative on-campus book club, Up From Liberalism. Founded by Greg Wilson, the club is based on the idea that students, either conservative or liberal, need a non-partisan venue in which they can cultivate their ideas and educate themselves on the foundations of conservatism in order to inspire debate and learning in the world of politics.
The premise of the lecture was to discuss the evolution of the second feminist wave. Buchanan’s ideas advocate the goal of the movement but confront the one-sided approach to the role of women in family and society in that the movement was founded on the mindset that women cannot be fulfilled while fulfilling duties of the home.
Buchanan first recognized the benefits and positives of the cause, beginning with its successes in bringing women into more educational and occupational opportunities.
You have to look at your opponent’s strengths. You give credit where credit is due,” Buchanan said. There are many strengths in the movement and many things that I think they have done well.”
In quoting Betty Friedan, the author of The Feminist Mystique, Buchanan began her criticism of the movement, saying that it began as a “problem with no name,” in the general recognition that fulfillment and satisfaction comes not from inside the home but from the outside, in the working world alongside men.
“Leaders of the movement regard marriage as slavery and homemaking a cop out,” Buchanan said. “This was a major mistake. In building and creating a movement that had this in mind, I believe enormous harm was done.”
This mindset detracts from the importance of parenthood and homemaking according to Buchanan, who believes that leaders in families are some of the most integral leaders in society. She spoke of broken marriages and single parent families, and how this directly relates to vulnerability and insecurity in our nation’s youths.
“The leaders of this movement take no responsibility for the most part on the things that really hurt women and children,” she said. “There is an anti-marriage, anti-male element to this entire group.”
In the mention of children, the lecture was quickly switched to a discussion on abortion, something Buchanan is avidly against. Her passion for this topic is evident as she describes the long term physical and emotional effects of abortion, a procedure that not only takes the life of a child, but also victimizes the woman as well. While Buchanan understands the uncertainty around the use of the term “child,” though still maintains her complete opposition to it.
“Divorce has been harmful,” she said. “But abortion is tragic.”
At the close of her speech, Buchanan addresses the recent talks that a third feminist wave is upon us. Having found many problems inherent in the first and second wave feminism, she still commented on her welcoming of the next movement, though pointed out its need for voices.
The applause at the end of her discussion was overwhelming and many hands were raised in hopes of exchanging conversation with the political activist.
“I thought she did a great job pointing out some of the discrepancies in feminist philosophy that I've always personally had a problem with such as views on marriage and abortion,” said Kristen Bernhard, vice president of Up From Liberalism. “I was expecting her to focus more on politics, but I liked that she instead focused on areas that feminism has failed women in their everyday lives.”
As the president of The American Cause, an educational organization designed to promote traditional ideas embedded in the conservation of conservative American values, Buchanan continues her daily fight to sustain and encourage a strong following for conservative America. In an effort to inspire debate, something she describes as essential, Buchanan’s lecture was open to all students, who brought different ideas of their own, inciting a series of questions challenging Buchanan’s stance of various issues.
Buchanan was invited to guest speak by the conservative on-campus book club, Up From Liberalism. Founded by Greg Wilson, the club is based on the idea that students, either conservative or liberal, need a non-partisan venue in which they can cultivate their ideas and educate themselves on the foundations of conservatism in order to inspire debate and learning in the world of politics.
The premise of the lecture was to discuss the evolution of the second feminist wave. Buchanan’s ideas advocate the goal of the movement but confront the one-sided approach to the role of women in family and society in that the movement was founded on the mindset that women cannot be fulfilled while fulfilling duties of the home.
Buchanan first recognized the benefits and positives of the cause, beginning with its successes in bringing women into more educational and occupational opportunities.
You have to look at your opponent’s strengths. You give credit where credit is due,” Buchanan said. There are many strengths in the movement and many things that I think they have done well.”
In quoting Betty Friedan, the author of The Feminist Mystique, Buchanan began her criticism of the movement, saying that it began as a “problem with no name,” in the general recognition that fulfillment and satisfaction comes not from inside the home but from the outside, in the working world alongside men.
“Leaders of the movement regard marriage as slavery and homemaking a cop out,” Buchanan said. “This was a major mistake. In building and creating a movement that had this in mind, I believe enormous harm was done.”
This mindset detracts from the importance of parenthood and homemaking according to Buchanan, who believes that leaders in families are some of the most integral leaders in society. She spoke of broken marriages and single parent families, and how this directly relates to vulnerability and insecurity in our nation’s youths.
“The leaders of this movement take no responsibility for the most part on the things that really hurt women and children,” she said. “There is an anti-marriage, anti-male element to this entire group.”
In the mention of children, the lecture was quickly switched to a discussion on abortion, something Buchanan is avidly against. Her passion for this topic is evident as she describes the long term physical and emotional effects of abortion, a procedure that not only takes the life of a child, but also victimizes the woman as well. While Buchanan understands the uncertainty around the use of the term “child,” though still maintains her complete opposition to it.
“Divorce has been harmful,” she said. “But abortion is tragic.”
At the close of her speech, Buchanan addresses the recent talks that a third feminist wave is upon us. Having found many problems inherent in the first and second wave feminism, she still commented on her welcoming of the next movement, though pointed out its need for voices.
The applause at the end of her discussion was overwhelming and many hands were raised in hopes of exchanging conversation with the political activist.
“I thought she did a great job pointing out some of the discrepancies in feminist philosophy that I've always personally had a problem with such as views on marriage and abortion,” said Kristen Bernhard, vice president of Up From Liberalism. “I was expecting her to focus more on politics, but I liked that she instead focused on areas that feminism has failed women in their everyday lives.”
As the president of The American Cause, an educational organization designed to promote traditional ideas embedded in the conservation of conservative American values, Buchanan continues her daily fight to sustain and encourage a strong following for conservative America. In an effort to inspire debate, something she describes as essential, Buchanan’s lecture was open to all students, who brought different ideas of their own, inciting a series of questions challenging Buchanan’s stance of various issues.
Holmes/Hunter Lecture Article Published on Athens Exchange
You can find my article on Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears' lecture at UGA recently published on the Athens Exchange website.
Leah Ward Sears Delivers Holmes/Hunter Lecture at UGA
January 9, 1961 marks a historic day in UGA’s past when diversity became a reality in the midst of a racist and reluctant society. Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault became the first African Americans to attend the University of Georgia. Despite resistance to their presence, both graduated.
Years later, Leah Ward Sears found their example inspiring, as she overcame racial precedents and became the first African American to sit on Georgia’s highest court.
“I understand the joy and pressure of having to blaze your own trail,” Sears said in her lecture at the UGA Chapel on April 9. “As a result of their efforts, my climb to success has been easier.”
Sears was this year’s guest speaker at the 24th annual Hunter-Holmes lecture. Established in 1985, the lecture series has brought many accomplished people to the UGA campus to speak of racial issues and diversity awareness.
“A whisper is sometimes better than a roar,” Sears said in crossing racial barriers. “To get your point across you don’t always have to carry a big stick.”
After recapping the steps she took to success and honoring the historic legacy of those who fought for the rights of minorities before her, Sears took her lecture in a different direction as she chose to emphasize the importance of family solidarity and the consequences of family brokenness.
Having experienced a previous divorce, Sears is not blind to the difficulties of family life. She described the perils of family fragmentation and unmarried parents.
“Family breakdown is the source of our society’s misery,” Sears maintained. “And marriage is in deep danger of becoming about class structure and privilege.”
She described how somewhere between her youth and adulthood the family focus switched from children to parents. All of a sudden, childhood happiness was thought of as inevitable, and parental happiness became something that needs tending to, she said.
Sears emphasized the need to again focus on children and stressed “building a strong marriage culture and discouraging unnecessary divorce, family abandonment and having wedlock children.”
Jennifer Eve Geller, a third year UGA law student gave Sears’ introduction.
“Leah Ward Sears’ lecture surprised me,” Geller commented. “I was not expected her to speak of the importance of family values and address growing infectious problems such as children who don’t have positive role models and no basis for family foundation.”
“I know hope exists,” Sears continued. “We must save our kids and country from our own destruction.”
Upon closing with a final emphasis on bringing America back to “a marriage culture to improve the lives of children,” Sears took a seat to let UGA President Michael Adams address the importance of diversity at UGA and how each Hunter-Holmes lecture strives to flourish that diversity.
“Let the record show that as a university that prides itself on the diversity of speakers, within the last year, at this podium, Leah Sears, Newt Gingrich and Jane Fonda have all (spoken),” Adams said.
The Holmes-Hunter Administrative building on campus represents the changes UGA underwent from segregation advocacy to almost 50 years later, hosting a 24th annual lecture to spread awareness of diversity, advocate acceptance and promote diversity appreciation.
Click here to listen to a brief reading of this article.
Years later, Leah Ward Sears found their example inspiring, as she overcame racial precedents and became the first African American to sit on Georgia’s highest court.
“I understand the joy and pressure of having to blaze your own trail,” Sears said in her lecture at the UGA Chapel on April 9. “As a result of their efforts, my climb to success has been easier.”
Sears was this year’s guest speaker at the 24th annual Hunter-Holmes lecture. Established in 1985, the lecture series has brought many accomplished people to the UGA campus to speak of racial issues and diversity awareness.
“A whisper is sometimes better than a roar,” Sears said in crossing racial barriers. “To get your point across you don’t always have to carry a big stick.”
After recapping the steps she took to success and honoring the historic legacy of those who fought for the rights of minorities before her, Sears took her lecture in a different direction as she chose to emphasize the importance of family solidarity and the consequences of family brokenness.
Having experienced a previous divorce, Sears is not blind to the difficulties of family life. She described the perils of family fragmentation and unmarried parents.
“Family breakdown is the source of our society’s misery,” Sears maintained. “And marriage is in deep danger of becoming about class structure and privilege.”
She described how somewhere between her youth and adulthood the family focus switched from children to parents. All of a sudden, childhood happiness was thought of as inevitable, and parental happiness became something that needs tending to, she said.
Sears emphasized the need to again focus on children and stressed “building a strong marriage culture and discouraging unnecessary divorce, family abandonment and having wedlock children.”
Jennifer Eve Geller, a third year UGA law student gave Sears’ introduction.
“Leah Ward Sears’ lecture surprised me,” Geller commented. “I was not expected her to speak of the importance of family values and address growing infectious problems such as children who don’t have positive role models and no basis for family foundation.”
“I know hope exists,” Sears continued. “We must save our kids and country from our own destruction.”
Upon closing with a final emphasis on bringing America back to “a marriage culture to improve the lives of children,” Sears took a seat to let UGA President Michael Adams address the importance of diversity at UGA and how each Hunter-Holmes lecture strives to flourish that diversity.
“Let the record show that as a university that prides itself on the diversity of speakers, within the last year, at this podium, Leah Sears, Newt Gingrich and Jane Fonda have all (spoken),” Adams said.
The Holmes-Hunter Administrative building on campus represents the changes UGA underwent from segregation advocacy to almost 50 years later, hosting a 24th annual lecture to spread awareness of diversity, advocate acceptance and promote diversity appreciation.
Click here to listen to a brief reading of this article.
Official Career Center Connection Event at Tate Center Plaza
Rain might have soaked heads but not spirits as the University of Georgia Tate Center Plaza filled with students on April 1. Games, puzzles and free pizza attracted more than 200 visitors to the Official Career Center Connection event hosted by the Career Center in an effort to increase student awareness of the services they provide.
The Official Career Center Connection or OC3 was organized by four Career Development Interns last semester who, according to the Career Center website, participate in the program to gain experience as peer mentors by advertising Career Center services, assisting in the promotion of career development issues and bridging the gap between students, alumni and the Career Center. Erin Parks, a third year Telecommunications and Sociology major worked with, senior Dustin Page and juniors Kristina Schwartz and Nichole Morales, to organize the OC3.
“When I would talk to some of my friends about the Career Center they told me that they thought it was intimidating, or that it was only for seniors,” Parks said. “I felt as though introducing the facts and dispelling the myths with fun games, prizes, and free food would be a good way to go.”
The Career Center provides services such as reviews of resumes and cover letters and help building interview skills. It organizes career fairs, work with students to find jobs and internships and are simply there to assist students in preparation for the professional world.
Parks said that students do not always take advantage of the staff and services afforded to them by the Career Center. OC3 was designed to better inform the students of the benefits of visiting the Center and encourage them to take advantage.
“The main goal of the OC3 is to introduce students to some of the career consultants, educate them on Career Center services, and help them realize that it can help any student from first years to students who graduated two years ago, with fun music and no pressure,” Parks explained.
Throughout the plaza was entertainment such as the “Give a Dawg a Bone” game, a career Go-Fish and magic tricks, which attracted students who were given information about the Center. Both career consultants and career development interns were present at the event to meet with students and answer questions.
Career Center Director of Employer Relations Holly Getchell and Program Coordinator Aaron Brown were two of the various staff members running the information table. Brown described some of the games in which career related questions are asked such as what color suit would not be appropriate to wear to an interview: blue, black or green.
“I would hope the answer would be obvious,” Brown laughed.
“We wanted to show students that the Career Center is not a scary place,” Getchell said. “We wanted to play games and give away prizes to encourage students to stop by to learn more about how we can help!”
In an email interview, Getchell listed tips given at the Career Center’s recent presentation, “Job Searching in a Tough Economy,” including the importance of networking, using a variety of job search methods, maintaining a positive attitude, staying honest in interviews and on resumes and being persistent.
Such tips and events such as OC3 equip students with opportunities to gain as much knowledge as possible before entering into an increasingly difficult job market and better ensure a successful course of action upon graduation.
The Official Career Center Connection or OC3 was organized by four Career Development Interns last semester who, according to the Career Center website, participate in the program to gain experience as peer mentors by advertising Career Center services, assisting in the promotion of career development issues and bridging the gap between students, alumni and the Career Center. Erin Parks, a third year Telecommunications and Sociology major worked with, senior Dustin Page and juniors Kristina Schwartz and Nichole Morales, to organize the OC3.
“When I would talk to some of my friends about the Career Center they told me that they thought it was intimidating, or that it was only for seniors,” Parks said. “I felt as though introducing the facts and dispelling the myths with fun games, prizes, and free food would be a good way to go.”
The Career Center provides services such as reviews of resumes and cover letters and help building interview skills. It organizes career fairs, work with students to find jobs and internships and are simply there to assist students in preparation for the professional world.
Parks said that students do not always take advantage of the staff and services afforded to them by the Career Center. OC3 was designed to better inform the students of the benefits of visiting the Center and encourage them to take advantage.
“The main goal of the OC3 is to introduce students to some of the career consultants, educate them on Career Center services, and help them realize that it can help any student from first years to students who graduated two years ago, with fun music and no pressure,” Parks explained.
Throughout the plaza was entertainment such as the “Give a Dawg a Bone” game, a career Go-Fish and magic tricks, which attracted students who were given information about the Center. Both career consultants and career development interns were present at the event to meet with students and answer questions.
Career Center Director of Employer Relations Holly Getchell and Program Coordinator Aaron Brown were two of the various staff members running the information table. Brown described some of the games in which career related questions are asked such as what color suit would not be appropriate to wear to an interview: blue, black or green.
“I would hope the answer would be obvious,” Brown laughed.
“We wanted to show students that the Career Center is not a scary place,” Getchell said. “We wanted to play games and give away prizes to encourage students to stop by to learn more about how we can help!”
In an email interview, Getchell listed tips given at the Career Center’s recent presentation, “Job Searching in a Tough Economy,” including the importance of networking, using a variety of job search methods, maintaining a positive attitude, staying honest in interviews and on resumes and being persistent.
Such tips and events such as OC3 equip students with opportunities to gain as much knowledge as possible before entering into an increasingly difficult job market and better ensure a successful course of action upon graduation.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Official Career Center Connection Event Reading
Click here to listen to the first half of an upcoming article on the Official Career Center Connection event held in the UGA Tate Center Plaza on Wednesday, April 1. The article will be posted to this blog later on this week.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
UGA ASAP and UMADD Candlelight Vigil
As the audience stood shivering, 22-year-old Alene Batchelor of Decatur, spoke of her involvement in a July 2001 car accident that fatally injured her younger brother. The speech was the primary focus of a candlelight vigil held in the University of Georgia Tate Center Plaza on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, in Athens, GA.
Batchelor provided a second by second description of the crash. The Ford Explorer was traveling on I-285 in Atlanta with four other members of her family and was clipped from behind by an intoxicated driver. The vehicle spun out of control, flipping the vehicle onto its top. After unbuckling her seatbelt, she recalled falling to the roof of the overturned car and trying to account for each passenger. When all but one was accounted for, she removed herself from the wreckage and saw her brother lying on the pavement in a pool of blood.
“I dropped to my knees and started praying,” she said quietly. “Selfishly I said, ‘God I don’t care if he lives as a vegetable, just as long as he lives.’”
She was told the news of his death after being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“This spring he would’ve gone to his senior prom, but he won’t all because someone decided to drive drunk” she said.
Batchelor has been sharing her as a supporter and promoter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and UMADD, who teamed up with representatives from Advocating Safe Alternatives for Peers, ASAP, to hold the vigil in memory of all of those who had been negatively affected by drunk driving or other alcohol related events. Batchelor has traveled with MADD to help educate others since graduating from Agnes Scott College in 2008.
MADD was created in 1980 to stop drunk driving, support the victims of drunk driving and prevent underage drinking. UMADD includes campus-based groups that spread awareness of the dangers of getting behind the wheel while under the influence.
According to MADD’s website, alcohol related traffic accidents resulted in an estimated 12,998 deaths in 2007, constituting 31.7 percent of the 41,059 traffic deaths that year. This was a 3.7 percent decline from 2006, as reported by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis.
Just over 10 people were in attendance at the vigil, including UGA students and ASAP representatives Joey Marmorato and Deepi Kaur. Marmorato took the stage to explain the group’s efforts in providing low risk alternatives to alcohol and drug use and to increase awareness of the consequences of irresponsible drinking.
Deepi Kaur, a fourth year from Augusta who manages the financial grants for ASAP, explained the 0-1-3 guideline to making low risk choices: zero drinks if one is driving, pregnant, taking medication or under the legal drinking age; otherwise only one drink only per hour and no more than three drinks daily or on one specific occasion.
“We are not a prohibitionist group,” said Kaur. “We are just making people aware of the consequences of drinking.”
Stephanie Kootsikas, the Youth Program Specialist for MADD Georgia, spoke of her support for the organizations’ endeavors and thanked Batchelor for her courage and candor.
As candles burned dimly, people flipped through ASAP pamphlets and shared thoughts and personal experiences. UMADD and ASAP are always looking for new members. For more information on these organizations, visit their websites at http://www.madd.org/, http://www.umadd.org/ and www.uga.edu/asap/.
Batchelor provided a second by second description of the crash. The Ford Explorer was traveling on I-285 in Atlanta with four other members of her family and was clipped from behind by an intoxicated driver. The vehicle spun out of control, flipping the vehicle onto its top. After unbuckling her seatbelt, she recalled falling to the roof of the overturned car and trying to account for each passenger. When all but one was accounted for, she removed herself from the wreckage and saw her brother lying on the pavement in a pool of blood.
“I dropped to my knees and started praying,” she said quietly. “Selfishly I said, ‘God I don’t care if he lives as a vegetable, just as long as he lives.’”
She was told the news of his death after being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“This spring he would’ve gone to his senior prom, but he won’t all because someone decided to drive drunk” she said.
Batchelor has been sharing her as a supporter and promoter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and UMADD, who teamed up with representatives from Advocating Safe Alternatives for Peers, ASAP, to hold the vigil in memory of all of those who had been negatively affected by drunk driving or other alcohol related events. Batchelor has traveled with MADD to help educate others since graduating from Agnes Scott College in 2008.
MADD was created in 1980 to stop drunk driving, support the victims of drunk driving and prevent underage drinking. UMADD includes campus-based groups that spread awareness of the dangers of getting behind the wheel while under the influence.
According to MADD’s website, alcohol related traffic accidents resulted in an estimated 12,998 deaths in 2007, constituting 31.7 percent of the 41,059 traffic deaths that year. This was a 3.7 percent decline from 2006, as reported by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis.
Just over 10 people were in attendance at the vigil, including UGA students and ASAP representatives Joey Marmorato and Deepi Kaur. Marmorato took the stage to explain the group’s efforts in providing low risk alternatives to alcohol and drug use and to increase awareness of the consequences of irresponsible drinking.
Deepi Kaur, a fourth year from Augusta who manages the financial grants for ASAP, explained the 0-1-3 guideline to making low risk choices: zero drinks if one is driving, pregnant, taking medication or under the legal drinking age; otherwise only one drink only per hour and no more than three drinks daily or on one specific occasion.
“We are not a prohibitionist group,” said Kaur. “We are just making people aware of the consequences of drinking.”
Stephanie Kootsikas, the Youth Program Specialist for MADD Georgia, spoke of her support for the organizations’ endeavors and thanked Batchelor for her courage and candor.
As candles burned dimly, people flipped through ASAP pamphlets and shared thoughts and personal experiences. UMADD and ASAP are always looking for new members. For more information on these organizations, visit their websites at http://www.madd.org/, http://www.umadd.org/ and www.uga.edu/asap/.
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