Become a Better Bystander in One Hour iHollaback.org Offers Free “Bystander Intervention” Anti-Harassment Training - theHumm May 2021
Become a Better Bystander in One Hour iHollaback.org Offers Free “Bystander Intervention” Anti-Harassment Training - theHumm May 2021
By — Kris Riendeau
Have you ever found yourself witnessing some kind of harassment in public, but not knowing how — or even if — you should respond? Have you been the target of harassment and wondered why no one came to your defense?
According to Wikipedia, the bystander effect, or bystander apathy, is a social psychological theory that states that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when there are other people present.
As someone who spends a lot of time in small towns and rural areas, I have the impression that I don’t often experience overt public harassment. But I wonder whether that’s just my ego telling me that all is good where I live, and there’s no need for me to exert myself further.
Recently I came across an article about anti-Asian discrimination in Canada, written in the aftermath of the horrific massage parlour murders in the States. The comments below the article contained a feisty discussion about the role that bystanders can — but often don’t — play in defusing public harassment based on race, gender etc., and one commenter happened to mention that you could get “Bystander Intervention” training. I followed the link and found myself at ihollaback.org , a non-profit organization whose mission is “to end harassment in all its forms by transforming the culture that perpetuates hate and harassment”.
Within minutes, I had signed up for one of Hollaback!’s free one-hour Zoom training sessions — I chose “Stand Up Against Street Harassment”. On a Monday afternoon, I Zoomed in with more than a thousand people from all over the world to attend a fascinating interactive workshop that included multi-media presentations, participant polls, a Q&A session and a whole lot of other good stuff. The facilitator was clear, welcoming and non-judgemental, and she enthusiastically walked us through the “5D’s” of being a better bystander. By the end of the session I felt inspired, incensed, and — most importantly — empowered to intervene should I ever find myself observing harassment in public.
Is it Really that Easy?
I gotta say, it seems to be. The training was simple to sign up for and absolutely free (although donations are most welcome). The session was well organized and provided a variety of techniques and examples, allowing each participant to identify which of the 5D’s we would feel most comfortable using. The information about street harassment and its impact on people was disturbing and galvanizing. I’m planning to register for another session — perhaps one that deals more with racist than gender-based harassment — to deepen my understanding of the issues and to mentally practice those 5D’s one more time before restrictions ease and I’m allowed back into the public domain.
According to their highly informative website, Hollaback! “started in 2005 working to end gender-based harassment in public space, also known as street harassment. In 2015, we expanded our mission to work on harassment across all spaces — including online, the workplace, transportation, protests, the polling booth, and all identities — including women, LGBTQ+ folks, Black folks, Indigenous folks, people of color, religious minorities, people with disabilities, immigrants, and all others who are treated as ‘less than’ just for being who they are. We seek to uproot hate and harassment whether it is perpetuated by individuals, institutions, or the messy areas in-between in issues like voter suppression, police brutality, and ICE raids.”
Hollaback! now operates internationally — there is even an Ottawa chapter ottawa.ihollaback.org . I highly recommend checking them out and signing up for at least one session!
Jennifer Anne Kelly — The Glass is Way More than Half-Full - theHumm May 2021
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
Last month our featured artist was Inuk jeweller and sculptor Kaajuk Kablalik, and our April cover featured a stunning glass qajaq in addition to his distinctive jewellery. The two-year qajaq project was the result of a fortuitous series of coincidences facilitated by Mississippi Mills glass artist Jennifer Anne Kelly, whom we first featured in October of 2012. When we learned that Kelly will soon be relocating to Ottawa — the “Big City” — we wanted to cele......
Tickets PleaseKeeps on Humming! - theHumm May 2021
Rob and Kris Riendeau (publishers of theHumm), along with Ann Hawthorne (former owner of Tickets Please), are delighted to announce that Tickets Please — the Ottawa Valley’s favourite local ticketing platform — will emerge from the pandemic ready to promote the heck out of our soon-to-be-vibrant arts and entertainment scene!
After successfully running the Perth-based business for the past ten years, Ann decided that she was ready to step back. When Rob and Kris approached her about t......
Local Libraries are Flourishing! - theHumm May 2021
By — Karen DeLuca is the CEO / Head Librarian at the Arnprior Library
A new international study on the impact of public libraries speaks to the current state of libraries in our region: we are flourishing!
Longstanding library card holders are getting their books, DVDs and magazines via curbside service in record numbers. Many residents are discovering, or re-discovering, the depth of resources available in their communities — whether digital or tangible.
Partnerships are key components of this success. Sometimes it’s the local service clubs that offer fin......
Farmers’ Markets: Open for the Season! Almonte Carleton Place Carp - theHumm May 2021
As you walk away from the farmers’ market with your canvas bags filled with fresh local produce, plants, organic meats and assorted other delicious goodies, you just can’t help feeling good. Supporting small-scale market farms means voting with your dollars for the option that is easier on the planet than large, mono-crop industrial farms. Having to plan the trip to the market means planning meals, which is a great way to reduce both wasted food and extra trips to the grocery store. Growers at the......
“Grow a Row” for Food Banks this Year - theHumm May 2021
The Great Veggie Grow-Off is an annual challenge between the nine communities of Lanark County and Smiths Falls to engage more citizens in growing healthy local food to donate to area Food Banks. The challenge starts each year on May 1st — “workers day” — to pay homage to the farmers in our community who grow food to feed us. Produce can be grown at home or in community garden beds, and local farmers and gardeners can “Grow a Row” as well! The Grow-Off ends with a final weigh-in on Thanksgiving Satu......
MVTM Wants to Exhibit Your Textile Crafts! - theHumm May 2021
During the pandemic, an unprecedented amount of crafting has occurred. From the first lockdown in March 2020, uncertainty, anxiety, and a whole lot more time at home has inspired many of us to turn to crafting as a soothing balm for our minds.
The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum wants to see the textile projects that you completed in 2020 or are working on in 2021. “Though it’s been a while since we’ve seen you, we know that you’re making loads of things at home,” says Melanie Gird......
Close to Home - theHumm May 2021
From May 12 to June 18, Sivarulrasa Gallery (34 Mill St, Almonte) is pleased to present Close to Home, a duo exhibition of new works by Toronto-based artist Gizem Candan and Montreal-based artist Jihane Mossalim. The exhibition can be viewed virtually until the current lockdown is lifted after May 19, at which time the gallery will open their doors again to in-person viewing.
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, and now based in Toronto, Gizem Candan’s work is inspired by her surr......
Protecting Our Pollinators CNL Youth Group for Climate Action Devises an Inspiring Community Project - theHumm May 2021
By Chandler Swain
As our Ottawa Valley spring moves into high gear, May is the month for us to enthusiastically embrace our short, sweet growing season. When the pandemic began changing our world last year, we started realizing what was most essential, and found it around our homes and throughout our communities. All activities related to being out in nature took off wildly!
My first awakening to how widespread this trend was came when I couldn’t find so much as a package of lettuce seed to star......
Lockdown Scavenger Hunt:Food Foraging with Kids - theHumm May 2021
By Sarah Kerr
Lockdown has been an interesting experiment (that’s the nice way of saying it) for our family who travelled a lot pre-pandemic. Our kids collected a patchwork of stamps on their passports in their short lives — being toted along for work and leisure. But with that luxury screeching to a halt over 14 months ago, we’ve channelled this creative energy into our own backyard. Like many of our neighbours, our homesteading game is now strong — the kids are collecting eggs each morning and checking th......
One Magic Summer The Academy for Musical Theatre’s Safe & Interactive Summer Camp Experience - theHumm May 2021
Heidi Stepanek is a professional and experienced musician, stage director and drama educator who has built a career out of her love of working with children, and her passion for musical theatre. 24 years ago she founded the Perth Academy of Musical Theatre (PAMT), which has since transitioned into The Academy for Musical Theatre musictheatre.ca and now operates in both Perth and Ottawa. This summer, The Academy is offering a creati......
Free Editing Workshops - theHumm May 2021
After offering an Editing Workshop as part of theHumm’s Winterwords initiative, Sarah Reside editsandrevisions.com is planning two mo......
Become a Better Bystander in One Hour iHollaback.org Offers Free “Bystander Intervention” Anti-Harassment Training - theHumm May 2021
By — Kris Riendeau
Have you ever found yourself witnessing some kind of harassment in public, but not knowing how — or even if — you should respond? Have you been the target of harassment and wondered why no one ca......
The LovelyLook of Spring - theHumm May 2021
By Glenda Jones
In the fall, when we were on the cusp of nothingness (much like we are again now), I decided to go through the closet, haul out all my “good clothes” that I would normally have worn to lectures, ......
Birdhouse Auction a Huge Success - theHumm May 2021
By — Glenda Jones
After months of diligent woodworking, crafting and painting, and two weeks of intense bidding, the 2021 Birdhouse Blowout Auction has raised over $6500 for the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalist......
The Garden Calendar - theHumm May 2021
By David Hinks
During the second week of April, daily high temperatures were averaging 20 degrees and more — folks on Facebook were clamouring to get out in their gardens and plant — I even saw questions about ......
Masks and Art at MERA - theHumm May 2021
Spring is here, summer is coming, and MERA is optimistically planning another outdoor art show for May 22. This is a call for local artists and artisans to join the outdoor show.
A special ev......
Apr 20 Perth Trashure Hunt Clean-up
Apr 20 Solitary Man
Apr 27 Festival of the Maples
Apr 27 The Moth Project
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 5 Music at Mera: The Andrew Collins Trio
May 11 - 12 Art in the Attic
May 11 Engelbert Humperdinck & Tom Jones Tribute
May 16 MMLT Talk & AGM
- IS THIS A PROTEST?
- A Classic Whodunnit Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee at Studio Theatre
- Readers, Writers, and Poets
- Celebrate Indigenous Culture in CP
- Celebrate the ClassicsWith the Arnprior Choir
- 4F Auction Concoction Food, Fun, Fashion & Favourites
- Cheerfully Made Spring Market
- Electrify to Decarbonize Lanark
- Volunteer Forum
- Frankenstein Comes to The Station Theatre
