Beginnings
Lives on the Line, The Birth of the Clothesline Project
A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women
By Rachel Carey-Harper
Overview
As earthquakes tear the fabric of the land, so physical violence and the violence of oppression and injustice cause misery and shred the harmony of inner peace. Violence is like a pebble that is dropped in a pond; it ripples out and affects everything around it.
By proclaiming the agony of pain and the joy of healing with programs such as the Clothesline Project, we cut through some of the alienating aspects of our culture. This work makes it possible to weave ourselves into the process of transformation from victim to survivor to thriver. Through this work, it is possible to build communities on foundations of balance, love, and spiritual harmony.
1991: Chapters 3 – 5
When working on the Clothesline Project, it is natural to feel the immensity of the pain and horror. Yet we should keep present in our minds that many women survive. This can be a reason to rejoice. We have given these women a place where they can come together and realize they are not alone. We are creating the opportunity to share our strength and love.
1991: Chapters 3 – 5
When working on the Clothesline Project, it is natural to feel the immensity of the pain and horror. Yet we should keep present in our minds that many women survive. This can be a reason to rejoice. We have given these women a place where they can come together and realize they are not alone. We are creating the opportunity to share our strength and love.
1992: Chapters 6-8
The way that was opening was toward a national movement. It seemed like a matter of thinking locally and acting globally. Although, a more accurate description would be that my heart remained on the Cape as my energy was moving outward.
To accomplish this, Honora and I were working well as a team. … We shared the beauty and the power of the Clothesline through the words of the women who have made shirts and the comments of both women and men who have seen it. On 4/20/1992, there were twenty-six “Clotheslines” around the country. Six months before, there were six.
1992: Chapters 9 – 10
I greatly admired the survivors’ attention and commitment to the work of healing. Their energy and ability to make reality clear and examinable is marvelous. I was especially in awe of their courage. Breaking the silence is so difficult. It is hard in all cases of abuse. For incest victims, many other dimensions contribute to the obstacles.
1993 – 1997 Chapter 11 – Epilogue
BeginningsEXCERPTS FROM CHAPTER ELEVEN The End of the RoadIn the last paragraph of my speech, I say, "We celebrate diversity of gay/straight, black/white, and so forth. We celebrate diversity, not in the abstract, rather we cherish and celebrate this diversity that is...
