By Sandy Suvannachakkham
Special Contributor

What do Red Jump Suit Apparatus and Destiny’s Child have in common?

Besides the fact that both are well known in the music industry, they are artists who are not afraid to speak the truth through music. 

Here is a sample of the song “Face Down” by Red Jump Suit Apparatus: 

(Click here for the YouTube video)

           
             Cover up with make up in the mirror

Tell yourself it's never gonna happen again

You cry alone and then he swears he loves you

Do you feel like a man?

When you push her around?

Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?

Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end

As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found

What do you think about the song now? Simply put, “Face Down” is about intimate partner violence.

Here is a sample of the song “Bug-A-Boo” by Destiny’s Child:

(Click here for the YouTube video)

It's not hot that you be callin' me

Stressin' me, pagin' my beeper

You just don't stop

And it's not hot

That you be leavin' me messages

Every 10 minutes and then you stop by

When I first met you, you were cool

But it was game, you had me fooled

Cause 20 minutes after I gave you my number

You already had my mailbox full

What do you think about the song now?  Simply put, “Bug-A-Boo” is about a girl being stalked by her ex-boyfriend. Although Destiny’s Child may not have intentionally written this song to be about stalking, the behaviors demonstrated within it are those of a stalker.

Stalking, intimate partner violence and sexual assault are sensitive issues that get swept under the rug and unfortunately, these crimes are often glamorized by the media.  For example, how many crime dramas exist nowadays? We have CSI: Las Vegas, CSI: Miami, CSI: Special Victims Unit, and so on.  Fortunately, the current movement to recognize and confront violence in our society emerges through popular music, movies and other media.  Aside from Red Jump Suit Apparatus, celebrities speak out for human rights as well.  For example, Jennifer Lopez is an active spokesperson for Amnesty International: Stop Violence Against Women campaign.  Jennifer Lopez became heavily involved with the campaign when she took on the role of a journalist for the movie Bordertown.  Bordertown is a movie about the disappearance, kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of migrant women in Juarez/Chihuahua, Mexico.  Collin College’s Counseling Services, in partnership with ZERO Tolerance of Violence, will be hosting a Juarez Photo Exhibition this November.  Please visit ‘Upcoming Events’ at www.ccccd.edu/zero for more info.

Awareness is a crucial starting point for anyone desiring to help combat violence.  First, one must be aware of the problem. Then, understanding, compassion and action have a chance to flourish.  Red Jump Suit Apparatus, Destiny’s Child and Jennifer Lopez are just a few people that are using their talents to raise awareness about violence.

In an effort to end stalking, sexual assault and intimate partner violence, Collin College coordinates ZERO Tolerance of Violence.  A grant project funded by the Department of Justice/Office on Violence Against Women.  ZERO partners with The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center and Hope’s Door Shelter/Counseling Center to promote safety from sexual assault, stalking and intimate partner violence by raising awareness and providing education and training to students, faculty and staff.  ZERO will provide campus personnel training on how to recognize stalking, sexual assault and intimate partner violence and what resources are available for our students.  In addition, students will receive monthly updates via Cougar News, informational pamphlets, and online education about these topics. With each of these efforts in progress, Collin College strives to create a campus environment that promotes student safety and encourages everyone to have ZERO Tolerance of Violence.

Educational presentations are open and free to all Collin College students, faculty and staff.

To request a presentation or for more information, please contact Sandy Suvannachakkham at ssuvannachak@ccccd.edu or 972.881.5820

If you are interested in other ways to get involved on campus, visit www.ccccd.edu/zero for our calendar of events.