service learning/activism log #2

Activism: This week has been stressful for our Global and Transnational Feminisms class, as we wrap up our service learning project and prepare for our presentations this Tuesday and Thursday. On Sunday, I attended a YAYA meeting along with a few of my classmates. During the meeting we discussed possible future trips, activism opportunities, and a YAYA benefit show that Patricia, a few other classmates and I are coordinating for June. I did a bit of research and communication with venues for the benefit show today, and participated in tabling for Navdanya, our global partner, at UCF with Emily and Kelly. We were very successful in getting people interested in Navdanya and facilitating conversations with them. I know that everyone is very stressed about the presentations due this week and communication has not been the easiest, so that is one pitfall we've faced. Overall I think that our planning the fundraising event with YAYA and the intelligent people we contacted through tabling for Navdanya this week are great examples of the opportunities granted to us through global feminist efforts.

Reflection: In Melinda Adams' essay, "Regional Women's Activism: African Women's Networks and the African Union", part of the anthology "Global Feminism: Transnational Women's Activism, Organizing and Human Rights", it's mentioned that "transnational women's activism is not always global in scope; sometimes it is regional in character" (Adams 187). YAYA is a fine example of local/regional activism. Events like our trip to Fellsmere are beneficial locally, but help diffuse issues across national and global boundaries by spreading knowledge and mobilizing. When attending a YAYA meeting, I gain a better understanding of how democratic organizing works in this way. Navdanya's work also extends across and among borders, as we were able to take the regional work that they've done and apply it internationally by tabling and spreading the word about food sustainability, seed sharing and organic food.

Reciprocity: Attending the YAYA meeting this week, I was granted many opportunities for future involvement, trips, and fundraising events. An organizing education event that would be very beneficial to me and my classmates was offered for next month. YAYA has been very gracious with including and embracing our class. While we have offered our time, they have offered us endless educational and team-building opportunities. In this way, it is important to be mindful that in global feminist work, we (Western feminists) may possess time or resources that our partners do not, but they can teach and offer us many things.

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