NEW Education for Equity Initiative from
ROAR As One
By Jo Calk, M.LS.
“Children are born filled with love,
and are taught how to prejudge.” – Jo Calk
ROAR As One is pleased to announce a new Education Initiative, Education for Equity, which facilitates action toward equity for ALL survivors of rape, child sex abuse, and other sexual violence, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, country of origin, physical and mental ability, or socioeconomic status.
All forms of sexual violence and assault are equal opportunity crimes, crossing all races, ethnicities, ages, socioeconomic levels, genders, gender identifications, physical and mental abilities, etc. Sexual assault survivors face social stigmas, patriarchal privilege, feudal concepts of family as chattel, misogyny, and other degrading and demeaning underlying beliefs and concepts passed down from generation to generation. Added to that “rape culture” are the racial and ethnic biases and prejudices, the hierarchical belief of a society of survival of the fittest (and who defines the fittest), and the “not us” labeling of others as inferior or to be hated, which results in a significant cross-section of our divisive society isolated and unhealed.
ROAR’s vision is to create a series of programs under the Education for Equity Initiative, with each program addressing one or more “Institutions” of society where the intersection of survivors of sexual assault and targets of racial, cultural, socioeconomic, gender, and other biases and bigotry have been marginalized and further mistreated. Rather than directly opposing or fighting against the Institutions of racism, sexism, classism, and other forms of violence and hatred that have been passed down through the generations as if they were “truths,” ROAR As One is bringing together individuals and nonprofit organizations representing those targeted populations, to provide education for those willing enough to move past their childhood indoctrination and make up their own minds about what is “right” and “wrong” and whether there really is an “us” and a “them.” What if we were all equal and unique?
The first major Institution being addressed in the Education for Equity Initiative is the Healthcare System in the United States, starting with a pilot proof-of-concept in Los Angeles County, California. Details of that program will be forthcoming. To read about ROAR’s new Initiative, please visit the ROAR website at https://www.roaras1.org/education-for-equity-initiative/.
For questions or to ally with ROAR As One in this new Initiative, please contact Jo Calk at Jo@roaras1.org.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
Let’s Be That Change!
Jo Calk, M.LS.
Project Manager / Survivor /Researcher / Librarian
ROAR As One