An associate professor in the Department of Geography spoke Friday afternoon on how gender plays a role in the process of social movements and activism.
Dr. Nik Heynen, who is also affiliated with the Department of Women’s Studies, discussed gender roles more specifically in relation to an activist group based out of Indiana called Roadblock Earth First. The mission of Roadblock Earth First is to stop the construction of I-69, a “NAFTA superhighway already constructed from Canada to Indianapolis and projected to extend down into Mexico.”
The construction of I-69 has caused many disputes in the state of Indiana, and Roadblock Earth First has included several women in leadership positions in their organization, which has caused even more tension within the group and when dealing with government officials.
Heynen noted how our society is ruled by “domination, aggression, and exploitation.” Because of this, people did not think that the women of Indiana were capable of holding ranks within the organization. This state of mind has created, according to Heynen, the beginnings of a “complete radical environment,” who spoke in front of an audience of about 50 people.
In his research, Heynen spoke with a woman named Sandra who refused to sell her property and will one day have part of I-69 running straight through her front yard.
Her statements solidified Heynen’s take on the mindset of the government officials of Indiana when she said, “The policy of Daniels’ administration is to intimidate. It’s like. I’m bigger than you, I got a big stick, shut up and go away,” referring to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels’ support of I-69 and methods used to deter activists groups.
Heynen perceived these tactics to be the result of Daniels’ not taking the groups seriously because of female leadership and spoke out against them.
“Let everyone speak up,” Heynen said.
Heynen mentioned several famous women’s studies leaders of the past and noted that all of these people had gotten things done through direct action.
“Every person who ever had a plan to do anything and went and did it, or who laid his plan before others, and won their cooperation to do it with him, without going to external authorities to please do the thing for them, was a direct action,” Heynen said.
Heynen in closing challenged women to speak up in a “modern society dominated by men” and to not be deterred by those trying to stop them.
Heynen received his doctorate degree from the University of Indiana in 2002 and has published three books. His research focuses on urban political ecology and inequality in social movements.
Heynen spoke in the Miller Learning Center as part of the Institute of Women’s Studies’ Friday Speaker Series. The weekly series brings in speakers from different departments in the University to speak on past and present issues in the area of women’s studies.
Amanda Gailey, who is an assistant professor of English in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, will give the next lecture on Friday, Nov. 21.
No comments:
Post a Comment