Rachel Hansen : Good Talks
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
    • Recommendations

On Making a Difference and And Learning Lots

16/2/2011

10 Comments

 
A few days ago I wrote a post about a radio station who were running a "Win a Wife" campaign. Along with many others, I thought this was appalling. We decided to gather together like-minded people in a Facebook page to share ideas and information about why this competition was not OK, and strategies to stop the competition.  In six days we gathered the support of over 1200 people!

This campaign has been a huge learning experience for me on a number of different levels.

Learning Experience #1

I have been saddened and horrified and depressed and angry at the abuse and pornographic images hurled at us. A few of the less-explicit examples can be found here.  I learnt that there are a lot of people with lots of destructive anger out there. This vitriole is reason enough for us all to question what sort of sentiments this particular radio station is encouraging.
*Update: If it's all getting a bit much, the best remedy is laughter. Do check out this post with a choice selection of some of The Rock's supporter arguments.

Learning Experience #2

More importantly, I learnt that there are so many wonderful people out there who are so passionate about creating a just and equal society, and  are willing to take action to make this happen.  And I just loved connecting with them all. People sharing their knowledge and supporting each other. The Facebook page we created was just a vehicle that brought such people together.

It was amazing to realise that a small action (creating the page) snowballed in to something so much bigger than we ever thought it would. AND WE MADE A DIFFERENCE! 
  • A number of advertisers have withdrawn their advertising from the radio station. (This speaks volumes, because if the advertisers aren't there, stations are forced to change their approach.)
  • This afternoon the radio station announced that due to the complaints received, they were changing the name of the competition. (This name change of course doesn't automatically make the competition OK. BUT we have signalled to the media and to the general public that there is a line of decency, and when it is crossed, we don't all just sit back and accept it.)
This could be just the start. I am so proud of our group.

Learning Experience #3

It was a beautiful summer evening this evening. My family was here for dinner and my little boy was being particularly gorgeous. (I know, I know, I am biased, but that's him this evening in the photo below - don't you think?).  But I was so angry at the world, having spent the afternoon dealing with abusive people and deleting explicit photos off the Facebook page, that I couldn't enjoy the evening. I was grumpy and preoccupied.

So I turned off my computer and went on a lovely walk with my wonderful sister. I raged about it all, and then I realised, over the past six days this campaign had consumed me.  I had not been fully present with my little boy or husband, my garden is overflowing with needed-to-be-picked-yesterday produce and I have neglected my writing and positive work with teens and parents. I learned that neglecting these things I love makes me miserable.

So I decided to step down from moderating the Facebook page. (Of course I  remain an passionate supporter).  And I will not publish comments  from others on this blog attacking my stance on the 'Win a Wife' competition. I have had every 'argument' (and more!) thrown at me about this issue and remain strong in my conviction.  I have a HUGE amount of respect, gratitude and admiration for people who are continually standing up for injustice and inequality (Catherine Manning, Melinda Tankard Reist, Sue Bradford... the list could go on).  I am not sure I could ever do what you do - I would certainly need thicker skin! And for all those wonderful people who are writing the letters and emails and generally spreading the word that it's not OK to treat anyone as second class citizens - you guys are awesome.
Picture
Beautiful boy who wants his mama back!
10 Comments
scube link
16/2/2011 03:00:54 pm

I was just saying to my partner today "I dont know how the people who have families are coping."
I totally support this decision.
Sometimes you need to bow out of one fight in order to still be standing for the next.
My heartfelt thanks to you for all that you have done for this campaign, and all you have been to me while I struggled with the troubles we have faced.
Much love to you and the munchkin (he is BEAUTIFUL!)
xoxo
Scube.

Reply
Rageaholic link
16/2/2011 03:20:30 pm

Thanks for all of your hard work over the past few days! It's been tough, but I still think we can get there in the end!

Reply
Robot Pie
16/2/2011 11:59:21 pm

You've been doing an excellent job. Thanks.

Reply
Stevie
17/2/2011 12:54:21 am

Thanks for all your work Rachel, you and all of the other mods have been doing a fantastic job on this campaign. I have been watching the page since it began and I just cannot fathom how much energy you have all put into it. xx

Reply
Stacey link
17/2/2011 02:37:38 am

I just couldn't believe the amount of women who were abusive towards us. How can a woman hate feminism? Do they wish we could go back to an age where we couldn't vote or have employment other than sewing?
Also, it wasn't just women who were against this - we had a few men too who were saying they didn't like it. However they weren't subjected to the same verbal abuse, funny that.


I did find it amusing however when the pro people came onto our page to complain we weren't listening to them or debating properly. Yeah cause I'm going to argue with says the following: "Fuck you stupid feminist bitches. Take a joke and get over it"
Exactly what am I gonna say to that.
I have to admit - I did snap and tell ppl where to go in the end (Sorry Scube, I know you had to do some quick deleting of those comments)

Apparently we should just ignore things that upset us and pretend like it's not happening - maybe this is also why so many NZ kids are dying cause the abuse is being ignore.

That's my opinion.

Reply
annemjw link
17/2/2011 04:25:46 am

I just wanted to say thanks so much for all your hard work, I really appreciate it. Here's hoping for more work bringing a good outcome!

Reply
stef link
17/2/2011 10:52:10 am

Awesome work. I think I've seen the best of people and the worst of people this week.

Reply
Ally link
17/2/2011 03:16:02 pm

Thank you for all that you have contributed! You have been brave and tireless! Hope to work with you again in the future.

Reply
GAVIN
20/2/2011 03:13:41 am

its amazing that no matter what you do, there are some people just have to ruin anything anyone tries. there aren't enough of these kind of groups yet, so everyone just start hating something, make a page about it, get some fans and in no time at all, everyone will be far too scared of treading on someones toes to even bother thinking about as you put it, having a laugh...

Reply
Rachel Hansen link
3/3/2011 07:11:43 am

Thanks for all your support guys, you're awesome.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Share

    Author

    Rachel is a writer and educator whose fields of interest include sexuality education, gender, feminism and youth development.

    Click here for blog comments policy.

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
    Follow rachelhansennz on Twitter
    Picture

    Archives

    November 2023
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    January 2013
    September 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    December 1969

    Categories

    All
    Advertising
    Beauty Pageants
    Body Image
    Book Review
    Boys
    Breastfeeding
    Car Seats
    Children
    Education
    Fashion
    Fertility
    Gender
    Girls
    Hello
    Inspiration
    Language
    Learning
    Media
    Menstruation
    Mothering
    Parenting
    Periods
    Pornography
    Pregnancy
    Puberty
    Questions
    Relationships
    Relaxing
    Reproduction
    Roles
    Safety
    Self Esteem
    Self-esteem
    Sexualisation Of Children
    Sexuality
    Sexuality Education
    Tampons
    Vagina
    Vaginas
    Violence
    Vulva
    Women

    See blogs and businesses for New Zealand
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
    • Recommendations