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In print | Published October 30, 2008 — Updated December 05, 2008 10:12

To the Editor:

We would like to thank and commend Anonymous ’09 for voicing [his/her] opinion concerning the running and organization of the Clothesline Project. We know it may not have been an easy thing for them to do.

Since its inception the Clothesline Project Committee has taken several steps each year to try and improve how the project is run, because we understand how difficult the week can be for both survivors and allies. The Committee is usually comprised of some survivors, and this year was no exception; we tried to get feedback and hear the voices of as many survivors as possible while orchestrating the project.

Every year at the conclusion of the project we approach Swat Survivors and ask for feedback. We recognize, however, that those who have difficulties with the project may be the ones we are least able to reach out to.

We understand that during the week preceding the Project and the week of the Project itself, issues of sexual violence are almost inescapable.

As organizers, however, it is our responsibility to advertise the event as much as possible. We have to explain what the CLP is to those who do not know about it, how to participate and the resources available to those who might be having a difficult time. There are few high-traffic places where it is actually legal to flyer (hallways, trash cans and dorm doors are technically illegal and can be taken down). We try not to be invasive (we will not, for example, flyer every bathroom stall), so that those who wish to can avoid it. We also try to take down the flyers immediately after the project ends.

The Committee held a meeting to discuss ways we could make the Project easier on survivors who did not want to participate. One solution we discussed was tabling the Project for only two days in Sharples, as opposed to an entire week.

We have expanded certain elements of the project due to popular demand, but we never wished to do so at the expense of survivors facing a difficult time. If Anonymous ’09 or anyone else has any specific suggestions (which can be anonymous), we encourage you to contact any of the undersigned.

Zebi Brown ’09

Patrick Rock ’09

Ally Grein ’10

Urooj Khan ’10

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