Contact: Melissa Gallagher                                                          Danielle DeZao                                 Visit our website:                 Melissa.Gallagher1@marist.edu                                              Danielle.DeZao1@marist.edu                 That Girl Goes Local, a club at Marist College, will be launching an on campus event for H<3rt1. This event is on Dating Violence Awareness on April 14th from 11A.M. to 2P.M. in the third floor of the student center.  H<3rt1 is a non-for-profit organization which deals with bringing awareness to the vital issue of dating violence. Danielle DeZao, president and founder of H<3rt1, experienced dating violence first hand and will be speaking on behalf of her past and why she has established this organization at Marist.  Learn self-defense, information and warning signs on dating violence, and find out what you can do to make an impact on your community in regard to dating violence awareness. One in three teens is in an abusive relationship Mentally Abusive Emotionally Abusive Physically Abusive

Heart1: Dating Violence Awareness Day at Marist College for COM370 PR

Marist College 3399 North Road                                              March 22, 2010

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Melissa Gallagher                                                       

Melissa.Gallagher1@marist.edu                                               

                                               

THAT GIRL GOES LOCAL HOSTS H<3RT1 EVENT:

RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE AWARENESS

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.- That Girl Goes Local, a non-for-profit organization at Marist College, has announced an event to launch a new organization, H<3rt1, in an attempt to spread awareness about relationship violence. The event will take place on the Poughkeepsie Campus in the third floor of the student center on April 14 from 11AM to 2PM. This event is open to all of Marist and the surrounding communities.

The event will include a speech from the president of H<3rt1, Danielle DeZao, along with representatives from Family Services, The Grace Smith House, Peace Outside Campus, and T.E.A.R (Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships). A panel discussion will take place on behalf of informing attendees of the dangers of relationship violence. Some of these speakers will include the Town of Poughkeepsie police force, the District Attorney of Dutchess County and the director of Battered Women's Services. The day's events will close with a self-defense clinic, run by Richard Mattson of "FLAG" (Fight Like a Girl). Bracelets promoting awareness are also being sold for $1 at various locations around campus, with proceeds donated to the Battered Women Services of Dutchess County.

“One in three young adults is in an emotional and/or physical abusive relationship,” DeZao stated on behalf of her motivation for bringing awareness to dating and domestic violence. 

For further information or questions please contact us at removethe1@gmail.com or visit our website removethe1.

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Aren't you a victim?

Since the song "S&M" by Rihanna has become a top charting hit on iTunes I found myself wondering if there are people questioning the same issue as myself? Is it not strange that Rihanna, a victim of domestic violence with former boyfriend/singer Chris Brown? This song defeats the purpose of all the controversy that was placed in the media over what turmoil came out of this once infamous relationship which turned abusive in the spotlight of the media. I know this is a controversial question to be directing in regard to Rihanna becoming quite the hypocrite f I do not say so myself. Maybe she didn't write the lyrics, but she chose to sing them and make an extremely racy music video that is not even publicly accessible through the Internet. One must have a subscription to Youtube.com under an over 18 years of age account. 

Just accessing her home website http://www.rihannanow.com/ you can hear the song "S&M" playing in the background. If you look up the lyrics they go:

Feels so good being bad 
There's no way I'm turning back 
Now the pain is my pleasure cause nothing could measure
Love is great, love is fine 
Out the box, outta line 
The affliction of the feeling leaves me wanting more 
Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it 
Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it 
Sticks and stones may break my bones 
But chains and whips excite me 

Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it 
Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it 
Sticks and stones may break my bones 
But chains and whips excite me 

Na na na na 
Come on, come on, come on 
I like it-like it 
Come on, come on, come on 
I like it-like it 
Come on, come on, come on 
I like it-like it (Na na na) 
Come on, come on, come on 
I like it-like it 
Oh, I love the feeling you bring to me, oh, you turn me on 
It's exactly what I've been yearning for, give it to me strong 
And meet me in my boudoir, make my body say ah ah ah 
I like it-like it 
 From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/sm-lyrics-rihanna.html ]

What is the example Rihanna is setting to her fans? That women can escape past abusive relationships and then sing about wanting to be tortured? Did you forget about your past and former relationship? I did feel for Rihanna and wish she had done more to speak out against domestic violence, but unfortunately you did not. 

Domestic violence is a serious issue and I'm not stating that this song is the end of the world. I just would have hopes Rihanna would have made a more ethical choice in song selection and/or writing. It is a very difficult subject to touch upon since it is not talked about enough in our society. One in three teens in an abusive relationship. Whether the abusive relationship is mental, physical, or emotional. These statistics are frightening and I have had close friends who have been in an abusive relationship. 

What is your take on this song? Yes, it's catchy, but was it the right move for Rihanna?