We just had what?
Did you know we recently had International Women's Week? Well, I didn't. Apparently there’s a day too -- March 8th of every year -- ohhh, for just like the last 100 years or so. I've probably heard of it before, but this time the date is gonna stick, damnit. It's just like this year's time change -- where did that come from? And where the hell is the news when you need it?
Well here's some news about the East side. Mujeres de Maiz are hosting a number of events during the month of March to celebrate International Women's Week, including an intergenerational artist discussion, a mujer mercado (women's market) that offers a variety of items made and sold by women, spoken word night, and a holistic medicine workshop.
Strong, Supportive, and Empowered Women
I spent Saturday Morning with a number of kick ass women. First it began at home with my mom where I quickly breakfasted on some chocolate cake she made Friday night. I borrowed her Nikon D60 camera, and off I went. My destination: the Womyn's Self-Defense Workshop put on by Mujeres de Maiz and instructor Cati de Los Rios. The goal: capture our beautiful community in action.
Cati has been teaching self-defense off and on since she was about 15 years old. She states that a goal of the workshop is to create a space where women feel comfortable learning basic strategies to defend themselves. Talking about her long experience with similar workshops that cater to women of the community, she continued, "It's empowering for women [of all ages] to hit the bags and take ownership of their bodies [through martial arts]."
I spoke to Hilda Gonzalez, who invited some of her sorority sisters, Jackie and Serena to the event. Hilda stated that she had been searching for self-defense workshops since she heard of the recent kidnap and killing of Sabrina Pina in Houston Texas. Given this reality, she felt the free workshop provided a much needed resource to women of all ages.
The Unique Space of Self Help Graphics & Art Next thing I know I'm seeing and hearing jabs, kicks, blocks, and kiai's all over the room. Smiles, laughter, and togetherness followed. A distinct sense of community permeated the air like the pungent aroma of sage. Positive, healing energy is the descriptor that comes to me. It's not religious what occurs here, but soothing to the soul nonetheless--something distinct and divine, and for lack of a better word, feminine.
Like when the members of a community meeting moved locations to accommodate the large group of participants that had arrived for the workshop. Thirty-plus people stood up, packed up their chairs, moved down a flight of stairs, and resumed their meeting outside in the parking lot without any complaints--the Virgen de Guadalupe overhearing their plans. No, I’m not kidding. The exterior has a shrine dedicated to the Virgen de Guadalupe, which rests amidst a tree-lined corner of the lot. Just another example of Self Help's multiple dimensions. Pretty cool.
Self Help Graphics & Art: An Environmental Resource worth Preserving
For awhile Self Help--the building--was in jeopardy. The community has the space for at least another year. But I'm not sure what's going to happen after that. I say this is a space--truly, an environmental resource--worth preserving for years to come.
http://www.youthnoise.com/playcity/blog
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