If you got it, flaunt it: SlutWalks 2012

On May 10, 2011, CNN World News reported of the first SlutWalk held in Toronto after a police officer reportedly told a rape victim to "quit dressing like a slut." Thousands of women showed up in April, many dressed in skimpy lingerie and short skirts, to support rape victims as well as rape awareness.

Since April, SlutWalks have sparked interest, controversy and support among college campuses throughout the United States and the world. CNN noted that SlutWalks are perhaps the biggest women's right movement of the past decade.

After Slut Walk had a successful run in Tampa, college students in Tallahassee, Fla. are planning to have a racy protest of their own.  Teagan Alexander, 18, is a double theatre and international affairs major who attends Florida State University. She is one of the three people who began planning for SlutWalk: Tallahassee, scheduled for Feb. 11, 2012.

 "We have just had two meetings so far," Alexander said. "The march will begin on FSU's campus and continue into the Tallahassee community. It is my personal goal that over 1,000 sluts march with us."

Alexander explained why the Slut Walk movement is so important.

 "With a name like SlutWalk, you are probably very intrigued, and curious," she said. "Participants in the walk are protesting against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman's appearance. We believe it's ridiculous that a rapist can get off in court because a woman was dressed a certain way.  Clothes do not say yes: the only thing that says yes to a sexual advance are the words YES."

Alexander agreed that the progressive SlutWalk movement has been a big contributor to the feminist movement around the world. Alexander also said that since the movement began in April, there have been over 300 marches worldwide.

Alexander hopes that more college campuses in the south will see FSU's SlutWalk as a basis to form their own.

"The media is fascinated with youth and the issue of revolt," she said.  "College campuses are full of both of these things, and I think that protesting is a big attention grabber. However, protesting only gets so much done.  What works is positive sustainable change. Protests grab attention and catch interest, but the fault of many college campus protests is that they stop there - after the protest people are interested, but it takes people 18 times hearing information to have it sink in. With SlutWalks everywhere, our message is being heard, but we must continue these conversations in our day-to-day life and not just one day out of the year."

Alexander became interested in SlutWalks from a very personal and horrific experience.

"I was raped my first night at a club during my first week of college, and I understand the negative effects that victim blaming has on a victim," she said. "First semester, I was fine. I was in denial, and I was great until I couldn't stay in denial any longer. I started a negative, downward spiral that began with occasional panic attacks and ended with bulimia, cutting and a diagnosis of depression and anxiety. I almost completely lost myself."

Over the summer when Alexander moved home, she saw an ad for SlutWalks on Tumblr.  After researching, she realized that SlutWalk:  Tampa was happening soon.

"I freaked out," she said. "I wanted to help. I sent an e-mail right away saying that I wanted to get involved, and from there, it's a blur of planning posters, talking to people about the message of SlutWalk and writing for the website. I think the message is amazing: men, women, young, old, black, white - it doesn't matter who. The victim of sexual assault should not and cannot be blamed for the assault itself."

Alexander said she finds it astonishing that people are opposed to the message of SlutWalk because some people choose to wear provocative clothing. She hopes to change the minds of those people and create friendships with people from around the world who are interested in protecting the rights of women against rape.

While the University of Southern Mississippi does not have a SlutWalk scheduled, there has been talk of organizing a protest. Alexander urges students to watch her YouTube video and check out stories and pictures. Alexander said that people should not be afraid to stand up for rape awareness.

Alexander's YouTube video can be viewed at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnMfCNzlJuo