The Newsletter of the Deeds Not Words Community

September 25, 2018 | Deeds Digest No. 117
Hello #Changemakers!

Isn't it amazing how, when women come forward with credible and legitimate claims of sexual assault, some men move immediately to a state of disbelieving them?  Or, even if they believe an assault occurred, dismiss those claims as "confused?"  

This happens EVERY SINGLE DAY in America.  It is alarming.  And it is wrong. That it is currently happening in the face of credible claims by two women who experienced sexual trauma at the hands of a potential supreme court appointee is appalling.

Like me, I am sure you are watching in horror as some senators work to rush through the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh, expressing confidence in his denials of misconduct without having yet heard directly from his accusers.  The move of these men to "circle the wagons" around their nominee, their willingness to completely dismiss the credible claims of these women and to dismiss the aftermath of what they endured -- these are part and parcel of the longstanding treatment of survivors of sexual assault.

You, #Changemakers, are playing a vital role in changing that culture. Many of you have courageously come forward in the past few days reopening long hidden wounds by sharing #WhyIDidntReport. You are showing up in huge numbers to support your belief in the credible claims of these survivors.  And, closer to home, you've been effective in passing legislation to create a greater system of prevention and response to instances of sexual assault.

I know things feel frustrating and upsetting right now.  But take heart in knowing that you've succeeded in awakening the consciousness of people across the country on an issue that once would have been swiftly swept under the rug.  YOU are changing the world for the better, #Changemakers.  Thank you. And keep it up.

Much love,
-wendy
 
🌟Fall Intern Spotlight 🌟

Join us in welcoming Anna and Isa, our new fabulous interns! In the next few weeks, they will be working on special projects, turning out their friends to vote through our Power-Generation 18 program, and helping #TeamDeeds gear up for the upcoming #TXLege.

Read more about them!👇👇👇

Anna Christoffersen is a Sophomore English major attending the UT Austin Liberal Arts Honors program. She’s interested in integrating programming into English research, and is working on a Shakespeare research project that combines the two disciplines. She got involved with Deeds Not Words to become a better advocate for the LGBT+ and feminist movements, and to help other people fight for the causes they’re passionate about. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano, and has gotten involved with the UT chapter of Girl Up.

Isa Francesca Arce is a liberal arts honors senior at UT Austin studying English and Human Rights, Borders, and Gender through the Humanities program. She spent the last spring semester studying issues like political corruption, transnationalism, and peace and conflict studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago. She has recently joined the Governance Team at Innovations for Peace & Development at UT as a research affiliate. On campus, she has been involved as an officer of Minority Women Pursuing Law, an editor of the Texas Undergraduate Research Journal, and as a volunteer English instructor at Austin’s Multicultural Refugee Coalition through the Liberal Arts Refugee Alliance.

Their passion and energy are inspiring, and we are eagerly anticipating the positive impact they are going to have here.

Welcome aboard #Changemakers!

Claudia Yoli Ferla
Director of Student Outreach and Organizing
This Latinx Heritage Month, we wanted to celebrate the rarely sung Latinx heroes who are often left out of our textbooks. From civil rights activists to NASA directors, here are 10 Latinx icons that you need to know and celebrate.

Here's more of what's inspiring us...
When Christine Blasey Ford stepped forward last Sunday to tell her story of sexual assault by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, the comparisons to Anita Hill were instantaneous.

If Kavanaugh is appointed to the court, 1/3 of our male justices will be serving with credible accusations of sexual assault and harassment to their name.

We've been here before; now we can only hope that history doesn't repeat itself.

Here's more of what has us fired up ...

Voter registration deadlines are quickly approaching! In some states, you only have DAYS left to register if you plan to vote in this year's midterm elections. Don't allow yourself (or your friends) to get left behind.

Take this handy quiz now to find when the last day to register to vote in your state is.
 
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This Week's #Changemaker:
#WhyIDidntReport Storytellers

It was the tweet heard around the world:

"I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed." - @RealDonaldJTrump

Within minutes the hashtag #WhyIDidntReport caught fire on twitter when survivors of sexual violence came forward to share the reasons they didn't come forward.

Many spoke of the shame, fear of retaliation, and a belief that they would not be believed. Their recounts, while painful and heartbreaking, helped to cast a light on the complex reasons survivors often remain silent about the abuse they've suffered.

We are in awe of the bravery shown by the 700,000+ who've come forward, some for the very first time, and we hope that the world will take note on why it's so important to believe and trust survivors.
In 2017, our Deeds Not Words' trained student activists PASSED 7 pieces of legislation in the Texas Capitol to prevent sexual assault, protect survivors and end human trafficking. In 2018 our goal is to empower and reach even more students to enact real change in their communities, but we need your support!
 
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