Due to the recent chill of our political climate, there have been multiple incidents that have been astounding to discover. Most of these incidents have been crimes performed by various members of varying political parties.

Of the few more horrendous crimes, labels have been placed — labels referring to hate crimes. Although many of the actions performed may be full of hate and discrimination, not all can be considered hate crimes.

It is important to be aware of our rights and the rights of others. It is more important to understand the accusations we place upon one another to avoid creating fear by spreading false truths. We must be properly educated in what constitutes a hate crime before we claim or argue any crimes to fall underneath the definition. How we orient ourselves in public places requires respect and informed authority. We must, therefore, do the necessary research.

Federal Hate Crime Legislation currently protects those targeted for their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity or color. The laws derived from it vary state by state. In Oregon, we have what is known as the Intimidation Law. This law refers to a crime that was specifically committed by a person, or persons, who threatened to cause physical injury or caused physical injury to someone because of their race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin or color or their perception of such. There are two degrees to this crime: the first degree, which is considered a Class C felony, and the second degree, which is considered a Class A misdemeanor.  

Becoming aware of these details allows us to avoid widespread argument, prejudice and general negativity. The recent occasions of such debated crimes have brought about fear and animosity into the nation, further dividing our already split mindsets. Much of this talk was unsupported and only heightened the amount of tension.

A recent offense of this common mistake is the argument concerning the Chicago Four. Their story quickly spread as the crime they committed was live streamed on Facebook by one of the females in the video. The victim (a young white male) was known to be mentally disabled and the Chicago Four were heard shouting obscenities concerning white people and Donald Trump during the video. This was all level ground for the hate crime charge.

It appeared that there was much controversy on the subject. Many argued for the hate crime charge and many argued against it. But the amount of drama that this debate brought up only damaged our ability to not only think with an open mind, but have the humility to address inequality in a straightforward manner and the effects that it has brought to our nation.

Many now find themselves overanalyzing their communities to ensure the safety of their families as a result. This fear of impending violence has been generated by the amount of attention and disagreement that has erupted from this groundless talk. Even our beliefs of the functions in our society have been placed in question, which could have been avoided had there been sound evidence to original claims.

If we hope to mend the disparity that has been set upon this country, if we hope to bring equality into our foundational institutions, we must be willing to accept truth and fact over opinion. We must be able to keep our judgment of others unclouded by prejudice and hate.

There is usually a clear answer in every circumstance that hate crime has been in question, and the debate comes from those who do not take the time to research the definition. By making the effort and the decision to educate one’s self we are applying objectivity and gaining informational authority, avoiding whatever drama is sure to ensue without it.

It is recognizably difficult to approach such horrific matters objectively as it is not easy to avoid implicit bias but it is possible and we, as a society, owe it to each other to fight for equal justice, as it is so deserved.

The post Robles: Understanding hate crime appeared first on Emerald Media.

You may have noticed a spread of pictures in social media newsfeeds of people wearing safety pins on their clothing. The wearing of a safety pin is part of a rising social movement occurring in the United States that started after the presidential election.

These safety pins are meant to indicate someone as an ally of minority social groups that are experiencing hatred and discrimination. It is meant to be a representation of their willingness to stand up for equal rights and treatment. In this time of uncertainty, many are searching for a way to reconcile themselves to this new reality.

The movement was inspired by a similar movement in the UK after Brexit, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union which sparked multiple outbreaks of racism within Britain. The safety pin movement is gaining momentum in support of minority social groups, including immigrants and the Muslim community.

Although this form of “silent protest” is appropriate and heart-warming, it just doesn’t seem to be enough. Anybody can wear a safety pin and claim themselves an ally, but actions and not standpoints are what makes a difference in our society.

“I have a daughter who is not white. It’s scary to have children [who are] in the position of being bullied or attacked. The safety pins were a no-brainer,” said Stephanie Lind, a community member and strong activist of inclusion and equality.  

In truth, it’s our children that are likely to benefit from this kind of movement. Lind described the fear that she felt for her child after the election. There was no way of knowing how people would react and yet, she had to send her daughter to school anyway. Allowing children to see the solidarity among their community members can relieve stress and keep their lives functioning normally. But, pinning a safety pin on your clothes can’t be where it ends.

Lind admits to never being someone who generally defended her opinions: “I’m at a point where I can’t be passive, wearing something that exposes my opinions is pushing me to not be [passive] and to do more.”

Lind has taken to wearing extra safety pins so that when she spreads the word to those unaware, she can also share a pin with them should they wish to participate. Perhaps the employment of the pin can bring courage to those in power to make a real difference, and start one’s further involvement in other movements as well.  

In many ways, we have become further divided than ever before, but one of the benefits of disparity is that we learn a little more about ourselves along the way. Who we want to be is often determined by qualities we know we don’t wish to embody. A large portion of the country is attempting to remain open minded and ultimately inclusive toward all social groups and impose solidarity, specifically towards immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and the Muslim community.

Writer Ijeoma Oluo questions the actual influence this movement may have on our society. “I won’t trust anyone just because they are wearing a safety pin,” writes Oluo. “I will trust actions, nothing more, nothing less.” Oluo points out that there is a problem with this movement despite its positive surface message. Wearing a safety pin isn’t enough — but it can be the start of something bigger.

Considering oneself as an ally of someone who is being discriminated against is admirable. I appreciate the effort as much as anyone can, but we can’t let it stop there. Actions speak louder than accessories. There will never be a more meaningful message than someone physically or verbally defending someone else under social attack.

Although the intention behind this movement speaks wonders and may touch those it is directed towards, it does little to improve the “danger” that these minority groups find themselves in. “It’s not enough,” says Lind, “but I think that it’s a way that, on my person, I can make a statement. They act as a constant reminder to myself to do more.”

The post Robles: Can safety pins really make a difference? appeared first on Emerald Media.

You wake up in the morning with your alarm blaring. You head to the kitchen and make yourself a cup of coffee to start the day. But, by ten you feel the need for another lift so you drink another cup.

Many would likely write this behavior off as normal and probably even harmless. One could say that drinking coffee has become a glorified representation of the common American.

“Coffee definitely starts my day,” said Lana Pritchett, sophomore at the University of Oregon. “I always tell people not to talk to me until after I’ve had my coffee because I won’t be awake enough to pay attention.”

Coffee falls into the habitual actions of everyday lives. Drinking a cup a day or a few cups in the morning becomes more than a simple stimulation process but also a ritualistic process that positively contributes to outcome of one’s day.

Daily coffee intake is commonplace for the average adult in the United States. But is the action of drinking coffee beneficial to the population’s overall health or not?

Coffee contains a natural stimulant called caffeine that allows the consumer to feel revitalized or more aware after having a cup. This occurs because caffeine naturally blocks the chemical known as adenosine.

Adenosine is the chemical in the brain that causes drowsiness and loss of awareness; by inhibiting this chemical, caffeine instigates the release of hormones that influence the adrenal gland to create adrenaline. This effect is the main reason why coffee is so widely consumed by the common population.

Other reasons that the habit is so accepted is that there are many benefits that come along with drinking coffee: there are studies that claim drinking coffee daily can decrease the risk of depression, type II diabetes, as well as increase the health of your immune system and increase overall longevity. These are all great reasons to not only enjoy but utilize caffeine and coffee as a tool for your health.

But with every great product there tends to be some sort of catch. In this case, caffeine is also considered a psychoactive drug due to its addictive nature.

Much of the time, caffeine addiction is merely a looming threat that never truly takes hold. But other times it can latch onto a victim and grow uncontrollably. Kailiuli, a former Insomnia Coffee Co. Barista, tells the story of a customer she once encountered while on the job.

“He started out getting four [espresso] shots then over the course of about three months he upped it to seven [espresso] shots. He told us it was because he was working a lot and that caffeine simply didn’t affect him the same way it did other people.”

Over time a tolerance can be built for any substance, causing the need for either a higher dosage or a more frequent number of doses in a day. This is a strong indication of a building addiction as an individual is exhibiting a direct need for the effect of a substance.

The lack of caffeine can bring about negative side effects, such as tremors, irritability or anxiety and altered sleeping patterns. These effects are similar to withdrawal symptoms that an addict suffers through when trying to quit a substance, which depicts the negative denotation of an addiction to caffeine.

Much of the adult population in America drinks caffeine daily. Not only that, but coffee is the second leading beverage of choice across the world and the first most popular beverage for caffeine intake. These statistics are concerning considering they represent a widely accepted use of this stimulant. Although caffeine shows strong similarities to many psychoactive stimulants, caffeine is only considered a mild stimulant because of the swift recovery phase one endures (around 12 days).

Due to this short recovery time, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition has yet to include caffeine use disorder — or the addiction to caffeine — under substance-related and addictive disorders. The DSM-5 does, however, recognize that caffeine deprivation does cause withdrawal-like symptoms.

“I think that there might be a reason to be concerned about coffee intake,” said Pritchett, “but coffee for me is mostly a way to build community and friendships.”

Kailiuli would agree, claiming that working as a barista allowed her to make more connections and become more involved in her community. It would seem the negative effects are highly overlooked in society, but they should not be ignored. 

The post Robles: Coffee: A deceptive substance appeared first on Emerald Media.

Being Latina means nearly everything — it’s my identity. I adore, embrace and am not afraid to flaunt my heritage. I have grown up being told to have pride in where I come from and, similarly, others of my heritage could say the same.

Although I have living relatives who were once immigrants, I was born in the United States and this is the only home I have ever known. Regardless, I find myself a minority in my own country. I have been undermined by my race, discriminated against on a personal, heretical and ethnic level. My experience is just the start, as there are others in our community who face the same struggles.

Latinos are constantly being referred to as “Hispanic,” which is a term that was developed by the United States in the 1970s to better classify members of Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban cultures. Over time, the number of Latin countries that have been placed under this blanket has grown.

More and more people are being generalized as Hispanic, and are further losing their ability to represent their own culture independently. What this means is that individuals have less of a unique voice, because we are expected to be a voice for others as well.

Others tend to expect me to speak for, or have infinite knowledge of, others from my “background.” Latinos are being grouped together to represent an idea, or a type of person. Many races, ethnicities, heritages and cultures have become prejudiced for things they might not even associate themselves with, simply because they fall under the “Hispanic” blanket.

This type of generalization has been placed upon a large portion of U.S. population. It has started to debilitate many cultures and has undermined the average citizen’s ability to self-define themselves. This generalization has become an issue for youth in this country to assume an individual identity.

“I hate it when people assume I speak Spanish based off the color of my skin,” said Isadora “Izzy” Hernandez, a business major in the Lundquist College of Business. “I have to tell them I don’t and then I get made fun of or called ‘white’ for it.”

Assumptions are often made about cultures or members of certain cultures. But for Latinos like myself, we are neither asked which country our ancestors originate from, nor where we were born. Latin groups are discriminated against despite the lack of education for others when it comes to distinguishing between them.

“I actually get asked where I immigrated from,” Hernandez said. “I also have had friends assume I prefer tequila because I’m Hispanic.” These types of questions are more deeply rooted than simple stereotypes. Although they are stereotypical, they also show the overgeneralization of “Hispanic” culture.

In addition to generalization, there is discrimination. Discrimination stems from stereotypes and prejudice alike, but it is reinforced by media and entertainment in ways that further affect Latinos’ ability to have an individual identity. Latinos are one of the most negatively viewed ethnic groups in this country.

Both my race and ethnicity has come to represent an ugly concept in the eyes of the United States. Even though I am born here, I am still seen as responsible for any wrong doings that someone associates with my race or ethnicity. We are frequently seen as a representation or “advocate” for our race, regardless of the context of circumstances.

It becomes personal, and damaging to youth trying to determine their role in society. Many find themselves ostracized by their looks, or where they come from, in their school and in their communities.

Being Latina is something that I am proud of, and something that I will continue to consider a part of my identity — but it is not my sole identity. There is a lot more to me than where I come from or what culture I practice.

“[In the U.S] when you get waited on [in restaurants] they treat males and females as equals, whereas in France they always look to the male,” said Sarah Philippona, business major at the University of Oregon. “I could be with my friend [and] I might be more mature than him but they will look to him as though he is the one who is going to pay. It really bothers me.”

This type of occurrence is common and opens the discussion to gender inequality, which also brings about feminism. We are facing a society that considers women a minority group, even though women happen to take up roughly half the population in the United States alone. Women are considered a minority around the world because they hold less power and rights than men (i.e wage gap, reproductive rights, education rights, marriage rights), which gives us fewer opportunities and thus makes us more of a minority. 

Gender inequality is a social issue that has been brought to the forefront of our social to-do list. Feminists have forced the public to be aware of the inequality that faces women and other minority genders. But now that the issue has risen, the majority of the feminist population has placed sets of demands for society to follow.

Although this might seem like a good idea – demanding that change occur – at this point, we are not at liberty to start expecting change from the general population, when it is so clear that much of the population was unaware of how wrong it was in the first place.

In her most recent tour “Confirmed Kills,” stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger has addressed the woman’s role in gender equality. “Girls, if you want respect you have to command respect not demand it,” said Shlesinger. “Commanding respect is in the actions. It’s way you speak about each other, it’s the way you speak about yourself.”   

In the context of how she uses these words, to command something of others is to direct something with authority—whether it be people, an event, or an abstract concept. To demand something is to ask something of others and expect gratification. The difference is small in definition but enormous in enactment.

Conformity is also a strong concept and relates to gender equality; if you want to see change, give the public a new set of social rules to conform to. The best way to do that is to enforce the changes.

“Don’t call each other ‘whores,’ don’t call each other ‘sluts,’” said Shlesinger, “because when you do that, society looks at you and they say ‘oh, it’s ok to talk to women that way.’ You teach people how to treat you… we’re starting from behind here, girls, we’ve got to say smarter things.”

The general population tends to learn from example. There needs to be an image or an idol that can be lived up to before society is ever subject to change. But instead of looking to those that this issue has just been unveiled for, we should be looking to each other (fellow feminists) to initiate the change.

A common example that women set for society is how we are viewed through the eyes of the general public. We compare ourselves and we tear other women down to feel better about ourselves. “You don’t even realize that you’re doing it sometimes.” Said Kourtland Thompson, an english major at the University of Oregon. “Then you see other people judging and being mean to other girls and you realize that you do it so often.”

Comparing ourselves to others so that we may put ourselves down should no longer be acceptable. We need to stand up for our own image and if we want others to respect and appreciate our bodies and ourselves then we have to be willing to stop treating ourselves without respect first.

It’s important to realize that women, themselves, set a strong example for others in society. No matter what future we hope to gain, the sooner feminists realize that we are responsible for it the sooner change will happen.

So women, I challenge you. The next time that you find yourself in an undesirable situation facing inequality, don’t allow your power to be taken away as it’s always been – give them a reason to treat you equal.  Make them feel your presence.

Fall term has started and students are revamping their usual study strategies. However, I know that I can’t be the only student who’s ever realized her usual tactics aren’t working. When facing these kinds of struggles, sometimes we are stubborn and we tell ourselves that we’re just going to have to study harder, study longer, study more often and then the only thing that we have to show for it is a lot of stress and a mediocre grade. Not exactly what we anticipated nor wanted when we set out in taking the class.

A lot of these negative effects have to do with a lack of either preparation or variation in how we, as students, study outside of the classroom. Studying for longer periods of time or at higher frequencies is only part of the real solution. In some cases, this might work, but often it is not how much we study but in which ways.

“If [students are] coming from high schools where their classes [have] really structured activities, for a lot of students, it’s a big shift.” Said Associate Director Amy Nuetzman from the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), “Especially in that first move to the university, to go from being really successful from doing what people tell you to do and then here, having to figure it out on your own.”

Studying in any new academic setting is bound to unveil new academic struggles. However, we are not limited to making mistakes and certainly not to failing. Though we might be forced to trade old habits for new, it is important that the new habits allow for the most efficient results.

Changing your study habits is already a difficult task. Going from using strategies that have always been successful, until now, to brand new strategies can even be scary. You’re basically entrusting your grades and your schooling to this unknown system that may or may not help you.

One of the most important things that we can do, is become aware of what type of learners we are—which will differ from person to person. Whether one is a visual, kinesthetic, auditory, or a reading/writing learner, simply knowing which applies to you is vital information that will improve anyone’s academics. In addition, it can certainly cut down on how much time invested is initially needed, and relieve those feelings of being overwhelmed.

Finding an environment where you can focus on your studies is also an important factor. It’s necessary to know whether minor distractions, like music or studying in a group is useful to you, or whether you might need to leave your phone, and your friends, in another room and keep the music off.

Nuetzman agrees that finding a prime study space is invaluable, “Doing a whole environmental scan of what is pulling [you] away from [your] purpose, and what is supporting that purpose. It can be really different things for different people but I think being conscious of that and making adjustments accordingly is really, really, helpful. Not only does it give you that environment but it also taps into your intention, and that can be really powerful.”

Environment is only a part of what makes studying successful. A lack of preparation can factor into our struggle to pass a class, in which case it becomes essential to invest in a routine. Setting out not only a timetable for when work gets done, but also being aware of how long every assignment generally takes us (i.e. essays, math problems, readings, vocabulary drills, etc.) and being willing to put in the time. Yes, I am talking about procrastination. Avoid it if you can! Commit to yourself, and really find a space and time that you can apply yourself to the fullest.

Not only should we be focused on where we study but we should always take into consideration how we are studying. Are we actively engaged? “Getting away from the task as ‘what pages to read’ and think more about the intention.” Said Neutzman, “‘My professor assigned this, but for what reason? How does it connect with the course and course needs? Do I need to look for particular themes? What is the lens that I’m taking through this discipline? How am I responsible for this when I finish? What is it that I’m trying to accomplish with this?’”

For more information, the TLC department is located in PLC on the bottom floor and is available for all students.

Last month, Pope Francis created a commission to study the eligibility of women as deacons of the Catholic Church. This announcement was symbolic in the pope’s activism towards social issues and the changes that he has been making during his time as pope.

This step may seem far from progressive in the eyes of many feminists, but the truth is that this commission is the start of something much bigger than merely women’s rights, this step is indicative of structural change within Catholicism.

When looking at the authoritative structure of the Catholic Church you find that all the roles are filled by men. Although men in the church have traditionally been in power for for hundreds of years, if women were granted eligibility it would not be the first time in history that women held the position of a deacon.

“Female deacons were teachers to young women,” said religious studies professor Dr. David Reis. “They had the job of taking care of women who were sick or infirmed.”

Interestingly enough, these women had many responsibilities and expectations from the church for centuries. They performed sermons to particular crowds that mostly consisted of women. They baptized women in order to preserve a sense of privacy and ease the minds of the converters.

“They were in charge of forming and maintaining Christian communities,” said Dr. Reis.

They instilled belief among others and provided practice to the followers. Women deacons were consistent leaders and offered stability and encouragement within the growing faith.

Given that they were so important, it’s difficult to understand exactly why they were ever asked to leave the Church’s authoritative structure. It seems that if they were so essential to the building of the institution, shouldn’t they have been at the forefront?

“I think there are historical reasons for why their roles were diminished,” said Dr. Reis. “Church councils in the 5th and 6th centuries considered women as naturally fragile and deficient physically, mentally and emotionally.”

History shows that women have been underestimated and treated as lesser than men, so one can understand why long ago men would have felt that having women in high positions of their institution was illogical.

But this decision of the pope’s shows that change can and may occur for women in even the most traditional settings. Despite this positive outlook, women have the should be cautious in believing in immediate change. If history has proved anything, it’s that hard work is the only thing that brings about social change – even social change in religion.

“It’s easy to think that it won’t go anywhere,” said Dr. Reis about whether the commission would lead to women once again becoming deacons. “I think that it will be a long-term struggle rather than a short-term shift.”

Despite the unlikeliness that this commission will directly lead to change, women and the remainder of the progressive society should look at the creation of this commission as a large step forward. We have to count our wins as they are and continue to think of ways to push towards this kind of progressive change.

“I think that there are positive things that religious people can do which is re-read the gospel and get reacquainted with the original ideals,” said Dr. Reis.

Ultimately Pope Francis has cracked open the door for women and other activists to help push for more equality of the sexes in the Catholic Church. Although he has not officially said that he would support the readmission of women as deacons, having one of the most influential leaders in the world be open-minded about the subject is a huge breakthrough against gender inequality.

In a recent Lemelson-MIT Program, two sophomore undergraduate students – Navid Azodi and Thomas Pryor – won in the “Use It” undergraduate category with a pair of high-tech gloves called SignAloud. The gloves were created with the intention of improving communication barriers between the deaf and hearing community.

The gloves are programmed to record and interpret American Sign Language (ASL) then computationally report the translation aloud. SignAloud was made with the intention of bridging communicational gaps, and although it won an award and much deserved respect, the project as is would regardless need a lot of work in order to properly fulfill the intended function.

“This is not the first time that I have seen something like this,” said Jeff Jaech, Sign Language Interpreting and Transcribing Coordinator. “The thing that makes me a little skeptical about this, is that it’s very embryonic.”

ASL is an incredibly articulation-based language. It requires expression of the body rather than merely the hands. ASL as a language also has its own grammar and conjugation that is completely separate from the English language.

“It does something that other [languages] can’t do,” said Jeach. The complexity of ASL challenges what a computer program can accurately translate, causing this particular technological development to be problematic in terms of actual communication.

It’s essential for the hearing community to understand the culture that has been built with this language in the deaf community. Our ability to understand that a minority group communicates through a language not shared by those who can hear should be similar to our understanding that the Greek do not inherently speak French.

Although being able to communicate aloud might benefit the hearing community, it is stripping the deaf community immensely by invalidating the language in terms of similar accommodation. Unless this technology is applied to all languages on both sides, this invention comes off as more detrimental than useful.

Not to say that the concept entirely is unacceptable. There should not be any segregation between which languages need translation and which don’t.

International communication is faced with the constant issue of everyone knowing different languages. We are going to experience barriers when attempting to communicate because we can’t know every language of the world. The same consequence results from an inability to speak ASL, a lack of schooling in the foreign language causes an inability to properly communicate.

There is no way around learning a language in order to communicate – we just don’t have the technology yet. Although these gloves are a step in the right direction, we should be focusing on eliminating all language barriers rather than just one.

Jeach informed me of a particular slogan, “Nothing About Us Without Us,” which expresses the need for proper consolidation, representation and participation by the parties involved in any decision concerning them.

The truth is that this project – and the research I hope will follow – should not only have proper consultants and tailored researchers, but should focus on eliminating language barriers themselves.

Communication should be considered a right among all communities, but when it comes to cultural interrelations there are going to be times when accommodations are necessary. The important thing to remember is that language barriers apply to anyone and everyone facing them.

All accommodations regarding translation in the future should take each side into consideration before starting any kind of project, and should equally consider what it means to have a language barrier.

Being a dancer brings about an array of social stigmas. You have to be a certain type, you have to have a certain look and you have to be capable of certain things. Many worry, when watching dancers with years of experience, that they don’t belong in the world of dance.

“When you first walk into the studio and there are all those seniors walking around,” said Kethry Gerth, Human Physiology and Dance major. “You see what a dancer looks like, that’s when you start to worry that you don’t fit the same criteria.”

The problem with this worry, is not that it is invalid, but that it is illogical. Of course someone who has just started dancing won’t look the same as other dancers. Wouldn’t any other athlete need time to tone their body accordingly?

Dance is a place that is neither athleticism nor art, but a mixture of the two and then an amplified version of both. I say place and not thing, because miraculously, dance has created its own world.

“Dance finds you, you don’t find dance,” said dance major Constance Kell, quoting Martha Graham, “It was something that I grew up into. Once I found it, I found where I belong.”

Many people can find a sense of belonging in the world of dance, it is open to anyone who wants it and anyone willing to take it.

I have never been able to find an environment similar to the dance world since I first started dancing fifteen years ago. Everyone fits the title of dancer, no matter how different you might be from the person next to you. In those moments – if only for one – there are no boxes, there are no limits and there are no requirements.

“I equate it to sports,” Gerth said about how it feels to dance. “That feeling that you get when you win, that adrenaline high? I get that every time I dance. It is a gift. It is literally a privilege; every time you perform you feel humbled.”

Why do you think dancers curtsy and bow after they perform? It’s the only way to say thank you without words. When we dance we have a conversation, but words are never actually exchanged. Dancers put their entire identity and more into their performances and expose it to the world.

“Dance is the one thing in this world that truly allows me to be myself and progress and grow simultaneously,” said dance major Tatia Richmond. “Dance is a vessel for expression and understanding that not all people take advantage of.”

It’s a shame that people limit themselves because they think they don’t fit what it is to be a dancer. But a dancer has no description, a dancer is merely the person staring back at you in the mirror. Whether you’re athletic, physically disabled or merely tone deaf, you can still be a dancer.

Being a dancer is more than just putting on a pair of shoes, or having a particular body shape. Being a dancer is the opportunity to become an idea all on your own, and the best part, everyone’s ideas are never exactly the same.

I’ve been asked by many people what it means to me to be a dancer, but it is difficult to speak about something that can’t be explained simply in words, so I stumble through and do my best. The most important thing to remember is that dance will mean different things to different people.

“I think being a dancer means you are always approaching life from a different angle, perspective and understanding,” said Richmond.

Although National Dance Week has come to an end, I want you to go out and try dancing – especially if you’ve never done it before or have ever felt insecure from it. Get out there and try something new, because dance was made for everybody and that means you fit in the category.

Lucy and her friend Carol are walking back to Lucy’s apartment after work. She has invited Carol to dinner and a movie. Lucy left with the knowledge that she would have to pass a rather active bar along the way, where she can usually count on being catcalled by various patrons. Lucy warns Carol of what is to come and claims that if they both keep their heads down they’ll eventually be left alone.

The hypothetical situation, which I have described to you, happens to be a rather stereotypical situation in which two women were in a place that made them feel uncomfortable and threatened. Allow me to explain.

One can feel threatened in many circumstances. Even if those circumstances are not immediately life-threatening. To feel at risk is to be putting your well-being in the trust of your instincts and to choose to listen to what they have to say.

“People have a wide range of responses when they feel threatened,” said Dr. Jocelyn Hollander, head of the UO sociology department. “Some people feel very fearful, others get angry, and some freeze and can’t respond at all. These are all totally normal reactions.”

There isn’t always an explanation to why we may feel at risk, and it is always your choice to decide for yourself. But sometimes the influence of others can lead women to ignore their instincts for better or worse.

For many women, they are often told that harassment is something to ignore, that it doesn’t mean anything and that they need to simply be above it. Harassment can include anything that makes them uncomfortable such as catcalls, stares and pick-up attempts.

“Some of these situations might seem trivial,” said Dr. Hollander. “But for the person experiencing them, they can actually feel quite threatening because they don’t know whether they’re the precursor to a more serious assault attempt.”

Lucy’s response is a very common one, and I have heard it repeatedly. The idea is that if you keep to yourself then you’re more likely to be left alone, however, from experience I’ve learned that more often than not, the opposite is true. Having confidence and verbally informing someone that you’re not interested is the best way to get others to leave you alone.

Sometimes it’s easy for women to simply be annoyed that they were stared at or that someone was persistently trying to pick them up. But other times these things take a toll, and it’s not easy to forget that sense of panic when the aggressor won’t stop.

It may seem reasonable to decide that being stared at – or “checked out” – is harmless because there is no forceful physical assault, but even just the lack of control that someone has over being stared at is degrading. Objectification is being played out in a single act of “innocent” looking.

“I do see persistent, unwanted attention as being on a continuum of assault,” said Dr. Hollander in reference to these particular acts as well as harassment and stalking. “It’s an attempt to control someone else and it can feel quite threatening to the person who is targeted.”

Assaults are not always physical, but they are certainly always direct. Dr. Hollander encourages women to trust their instincts. “If an interaction feels threatening, then listen to that gut feeling, even if others think it’s not a big deal,” Dr. Hollander said.

Women have a right to feel safe, and that right extends to everyday trials of unwanted attention. Not only do women have a right to defend themselves and stand up for themselves, but they also have a right to be respected.

The decision to decline offers is a right that we all have and should be treated as such. There’s no reason to be hostile about it, but as a woman myself, I ask that my spoken desires be taken into consideration before anyone tries to pick me up that second time around.

Although Sexual Assault Awareness Month is coming to an end, conversations such as these must continue in order to make progress.