Mississippi State University’s Sexual Assault Services hosted A Call to Men to discourage men to resort to violence. Led by speaker and organization co-founder Tony Porter, the event sparked conversation Monday evening in the Colvard Student Union.
A Call to Men is an organization based out of New York City which holds seminars and workshops across the country aimed towards men, to help end violence against women.
While Porter was entertaining and caused a lot of laughter, he discussed the very serious issue of sexual violence against women and what men could, and should, do about it.
Porter discussed his personal experiences and what he believes can break the cycle of violence toward women.
Porter, who has worked in social justice for 20 years, said he has been doing this type of lecturing for about five years.
“Originally, I was working with the bad guys,” Porter said. “What I really wanted to do is work with the good men, because that is where prevention starts.”
The Colvard Student Union Ballroon filled quickly. After the chairs were taken, people sat on the floor and stood in the doorways.
Beatrice Tatem, director of Student Counseling Services and coordinator of sexual assault services, said she was very excited and overwhelmed with the student turnout at the event.
“It was very refreshing,” Tatem said. “I was also very excited about the diversity of the people who attended.”
Tatem said 300 students were expected to show up, but 520 were counted.
Porter used comedy to help relax the audience while he tackled the serious issues. He created many discussions, getting the entire crowd involved. He asked people in the crowd questions about their feelings about certain issues. He created communication not often seen between men and their peers. He challenged the idea of the typical man.
Junior biochemistry major Marty Carpenter said he attended the event because he feels it is an important issue due to the fact that many women are victimized on college campuses.
“I enjoyed Mr. Porter because he was so honest about his own experiences and what men should do to behave appropriately,” Carpenter said. “This issue is important because I know women that have been abused, and it is time to stop the violence.”
Though the seminar was aimed toward men, around 100 women were there to hear Porter speak and participate in the discussion.
Freshman psychology major Jasmine Packer said she thinks it is important for MSU to have events like these because it spreads information around campus and helps to decrease violence.
“This is an important issue to me, and I enjoyed the speaker very much,” Packer said. “He was very realistic and honest.”
Sophomore political science and secondary education major Antoinette Jenkins said she came to the event because this issue is definitely an important issue to her, and she wanted to hear the opinions and thoughts of men on this issue.
“One day there is a definite chance that I could have a son, and I would want him to respect women,” Jenkins said. “I really enjoyed how [Porter] challenged men to be better examples to our young and up incoming men,” Jenkins said.
Tatem said she picked Porter for the event because he is passionate and authentic.
“He really embraces the work that he does,” Tatem said. “There is something about him that men, regardless of who they are or what they believe, seem to get.”
Tatem said the university hosts events like these to educate students, heighten awareness of issues and increase involvement.
“We want people to come out and be a part of things,” Tatem said. “Events like these are a way to keep these issues in people’s minds and hearts throughout the year.”
The last question Porter asked the men before the seminar ended was what they were going to do when they walked out the door, and what they wanted the situation to be like concerning violence toward women when they had daughters. Porter said the problem is a male problem because it starts with the socialization of men.
“Ending violence against women won’t change unless men get in the game,” Porter said. “They can’t stand on the sidelines.”
Tatem said she was hoping men would leave this event with the idea they are part of the equation when it comes to violence against women.
“We want to let them know it is not just a women’s issue, but a social issue,” Tatem said.