Alberni Valley Fringe Festival: 2 shows (June 20 and 21)

The Human Body Project has been called the "most relevant and powerful work at the fringe."

Playing for two nights only, for the first time in Port Alberni, BC, at the Alberni Valley Fringe Festival.

Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, 8:30-9:45 pm
Capitol Theatre
Port Alberni, BC.
Tickets $10 at the door

Alberni Valley Fringe 2014

Challenging Dress Codes

I'm speaking at my daughter's school's parents' association meeting tonight. These are my talking points.

Background

I think we need to seriously challenge thinking around dress codes in school.

Two things in recent news: girls getting kicked out of school for clothing that is completely normal in clothing stores, on TV, what their mothers would wear, etc.

Main reason: their clothing is distracting, not only to the boys, but to male teachers.

The widely held idea that a girl must cover up to protect adult males shows how little adults realize about their own responsibilities.

Elliot Rodger killed 7 people and injured 13 at a California sorority house because he was upset that women were having sex but not with him.

These things are connected and I think we need to pay serious attention to the messages we send as adults, especially institutional messages.

I have two daughters and this is very important to me but I think it’s also very important for parents of boys.

Challenging Thinking Around Dress Codes

I have very strong feelings about adults in authority continuing to perpetuate a culture in which girls are taught:

• Their bodies are shameful
• They must somehow figure out how to fix sexual feelings for men and boys

 At the same time, we are teaching the boys:

• They are not responsible for managing their own feelings
• Sexy girl = available girl

Boys and girls being distracted by one another is normal and natural.  A lot of dress code enforcement is about dumping adult baggage on them:

• The more developed a girl is, the more threatening her body is... to adults
• Many of the children getting targeted by dress codes are developed girls
• That young girl with breasts, she already has to deal with looks and judgment. Do we really have to add to that by calling her out and asking her to wear stuff she might not even own?

The idea that a girl must cover up to protect the boys is insulting to the boys (and can create false feelings of entitlement) and shaming to the girls. Especially when this is a time we should actually be teaching them about consent (I really like this young woman's video).

Ideas for Changing the Approach

I would like to suggest that the school consider guidelines, for boys and girls, based on gentleness, context, and how children need to dress to actively participate in their day.

Can they get through a day in a tank top and shorts? Yes.

Can they get through an active day in high heels and a short skirt or pants that are hanging below their bum? Not so much.

At my older daughter’s middle school, the language used is “distraction-free” and “business casual” (with a lot of specifics about length of shorts and bra straps). But the context is a school. These are children, not sex objects, not bank teller trainees.

Language

I would like to see teachers and administrators consider using these kinds of words:

• No one should be allowed to make you feel ashamed of your clothing or your body
• If an adult feels like you need to wear clothing that covers more of your body, they will talk to you and your parents about it
• Sometimes traditional people feel like it's ok to ask people to dress more conservatively: chests and armpits covered, can't see underwear
• Sometimes it can help, when we're in a place like a school where there are people of different ages and backgrounds, if people dress a little more conservatively

What’s available

It’s important to acknowledge that girls dress differently than boys and they are wearing normal clothes for sale at all stores that sell girls’ clothes.

Involve students

Shouldn’t students be involved in creating their school’s dress code document?

Using a dress code: be gentle and check in with your own feelings as an adult

In terms of how any type of dress code is used, I would strongly ask schools to consider a gentle rather than enforcement attitude.

If a teacher or staff member notices a student wearing clothing deemed inappropriate, these are ways to address that I suggest might be kinder and less shaming. The first thing to do is focus on why the adult has a problem with it.

• If you are uncomfortable, can you consider owning your discomfort without putting that onto the child? (Is she a developed girl, for instance? Is she actually wearing normal clothes?)
• Is it actually causing anyone else in the class a problem? If so, what exactly?Can it be addressed honestly, perhaps in private with each student, instead of laying the problem on the child?
• If the student must be spoken to, contact the child's parent so that the child has an advocate

Most important: children should not called upon in public to change their clothing.

Conclusion

As I said, I have very strong feelings about this. When I was a young woman I had severe eating issues. I continue to have body image issues (what woman does not?). I have had many instances of sexual harassment in my life and way too many women I know have been sexually assaulted.

Let's be really cognizant of how our messages to young people contribute to a world where people do not have health around these issues.

Government vs. Kids

"Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future."   Maria Montessori

I still have tears in my eyes brought on by the 8:45 am assembly today where a whole bunch of elementary school kids received recognition awards.

Their teachers spoke so lovingly and knowledgeably about what each kid brings as gifts for herself and his classmates. The kids were so proud to be acknowledged.

It was both a very special and fairly normal slice of life at my kid's school.

I am disgusted by the ongoing non-negotiations between the BC government and the teachers. Yes, there are two sides. But one side is on the front lines, caring for our kids. And, in the case of my own children's schools, doing so with a lot of grace and professionalism during a very tough time.

The other side has let communication break down. This should not be an adversarial situation. It's the government's job to facilitate the conversation. 

Instead, their ongoing approach is cynical and calculated. They use pretty much the only tool the teachers have (labour action) against them by making the teachers look greedy and/or disruptive. 

It's a classic case of cynical political machinations at the expense of kids. 

I want my children's teachers to be paid well. I want class sizes to be manageable. I want kids with disabilities looked after compassionately. I want public education to be a priority of my democratic nation.

I am sickened by the actions of the BC government. The BC government, run by a woman who sends her only child to private school, should actually care what happens to the children of BC.

Naked Bike Ride Vulnerability Vigil

Saturday, June 14, 2014

2:30-3:30 pm
Across from the British Columbia Provincial Legislature, Victoria, BC
On the corner of Belleville and Government

Human Body Project Vulnerability Vigils happen at least once a month. I stand naked somewhere public for an hour, holding a sign. 

In brief, I share my own vulnerability to create a space for vulnerability and to be in some solidarity with those who are most vulnerable. It's also about being the change I wish to see.

The World Naked Bike Ride happens once a year. Our movements have a lot of affinities.

I am not sure if anyone is planning on organizing a Naked Bike Ride in Victoria this year, but if so, how about riding by the vigil? The Vancouver 2014 Naked Bike Ride is on this day, btw. Update: Victoria World Naked Bike Ride will coincide with the vigil!

I'll be across from the BC Legislature at Belleville and Government, holding the extinction symbol sign.
2:30-3:30 pm
Anyone is welcome to join me, dressed or not.

Human Body Project Vulnerability Vigil, May 26, 2014. Tasha Diamant is holding a sign with the extinction symbol.

Here's how I explained what I'm doing to several US tourists who spoke to me last month:

Tourist: Why are you doing this? Is this a protest? 

Tasha: Well, I've been doing the Human Body Project for more than 8 years. I started doing performances where I showed up naked and unscripted to be as vulnerable as possible and to share that vulnerability.

Then I started doing this street work in January of 2012. I do it once a month for an hour. It's sort of a protest but more like a ritual of "being the change." I stand naked to be as vulnerable as possible, in solidarity with the world's most vulnerable and the vulnerable earth. 

This is the Extinction Symbol. Have you seen it before? 

Tourist: No, what is it? 

Tasha: It's a symbol that's meant to bring awareness to the fact that humans are creating a mass extinction. Like when the dinosaurs all died? Except when that happened it took tens of thousands of years. Humans will pretty much accomplish a mass extinction in about 700 years from, like, the time of the Industrial Revolution. Most life on earth will be extinct by 2400. So, in other words, all humans are vulnerable. 

Tourist: In other words, we're doomed. What's causing it? 

Tasha: Mostly global climate change, development and pollution. 

Tourist: I don't really see how standing naked with a sign will help. 

Tasha: Well, I believe that civilization equals domination equals ego. So humans don't understand vulnerability or how to be vulnerable. So I figure this is like a wake-up call but also like a way to kickstart evolution or change consciousness. Our brains need to change. But, hey, I feel pretty hopeless. I also do this as an outlet for my rage. I can't believe people walk around like everything is normal. This helps me not drink myself to death. I feel hopeless but I can still do something.

Human Body Project Vulnerability Vigil on World Naked Bike Ride Day, June 9, 2012.

Here's a link to the Facebook event
I'm always hoping people will join me here in Victoria or in coinciding vigils around the globe. Send a message to tashadiamanthuman@gmail.com if you're interested in organizing a vigil.