Shawna Caspi plays
National Day of Remembrance
National Day of Remembrance
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Shawna Caspi is a solo singer-songwriter with a powerful voice and serious guitar chops. With a commanding stage presence and an inviting charm, she doesn’t need a band to deliver an engaging and energetic show. She has all the sound she needs under her fingertips, with a remarkable fingerstyle guitar technique. Shawna’s playful wit and sense of a seasoned storyteller makes each performance intimate and captivating, no matter the size of the room. She has played in venues from cafes to soft-seat theatres, from living rooms to festival stages – even in the lounge car of a moving train. In 2012, she released her sophomore CD,Skyline, and made her folk festival debut on the main stage at Summerfolk, followed by tours in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia.
"Since I wrote "Not So Silent", I have been hoping to connect with a December 6 memorial event. To my great delight, I have been invited to play at this one in Owen Sound. If you're in the Grey Bruce area, I hope you'll attend. I will play a couple of songs during the vigil, followed by a little mini-concert." Shawna Caspi
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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
"December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women. As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls." The Government of Canada |
Dec 6 Vigil Remarks - Laura VanDyk
In other parts of the world, we hear about injustice and violence towards women. But, unless, you’re involved, it’s easy to forget that it happens here too. This may be because, mostly, it happens behind closed doors.
Then something like the events of Dec. 6 1989 at L’Ecole Polytechnique happen.
Now, I admit, I don’t remember Dec. 6th 1989; but I was only a year old at the time.
I’m young.
And this happened within my lifetime.
This attitude of seeing women as the lesser prevails to this day, and is at the core of the problem.
If you’re a woman, you see it everyday.
-Women can’t have successful careers in pop music without taking off their clothes.
-Sex scenes are fine in the movie industry as long as the woman doesn't look like she’s enjoying herself. If they show a female orgasm, the film gets a stronger rating.
-Boobs are everywhere, even in car commercials, but it’s taboo to breastfeed in public. (As if mamories weren't meant to feed babies.)
It gets worse from there.
-45% of female homicides are perpetrated by the victim’s intimate partner.
Which means that there are a lot of women out there that are safer alone in the streets at night than they are at home.
-Every year, 40 thousand arrests are made for domestic violence.
It’s impossible to know the exact percentage but it’s estimated that that only accounts for 22% of the assaults. The rest go unreported.
I could go on for hours.
However, we’re here because of an extreme and public case that highlights the sheer fanaticism of a basic assumption.
That women are lesser.
The shooter on Dec. 6th 1989 shot 14 young women because he didn't think women should be engineers.
Famously yelling “I hate feminists” before pulling the trigger.
If I may geek out and quote one of my idols: Joss Whedon.
(Writer for the Avengers movie, Firefly, and most relevantly Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
“You either believe women are people, or you don’t. It’s that simple.”
We are here to honour 14 people who were brutally murdered because someone decided they shouldn't be allowed into a certain workforce… based on their gender…
And to remind people that, as long as that mentality exists in any capacity, we have work to do.
In other parts of the world, we hear about injustice and violence towards women. But, unless, you’re involved, it’s easy to forget that it happens here too. This may be because, mostly, it happens behind closed doors.
Then something like the events of Dec. 6 1989 at L’Ecole Polytechnique happen.
Now, I admit, I don’t remember Dec. 6th 1989; but I was only a year old at the time.
I’m young.
And this happened within my lifetime.
This attitude of seeing women as the lesser prevails to this day, and is at the core of the problem.
If you’re a woman, you see it everyday.
-Women can’t have successful careers in pop music without taking off their clothes.
-Sex scenes are fine in the movie industry as long as the woman doesn't look like she’s enjoying herself. If they show a female orgasm, the film gets a stronger rating.
-Boobs are everywhere, even in car commercials, but it’s taboo to breastfeed in public. (As if mamories weren't meant to feed babies.)
It gets worse from there.
-45% of female homicides are perpetrated by the victim’s intimate partner.
Which means that there are a lot of women out there that are safer alone in the streets at night than they are at home.
-Every year, 40 thousand arrests are made for domestic violence.
It’s impossible to know the exact percentage but it’s estimated that that only accounts for 22% of the assaults. The rest go unreported.
I could go on for hours.
However, we’re here because of an extreme and public case that highlights the sheer fanaticism of a basic assumption.
That women are lesser.
The shooter on Dec. 6th 1989 shot 14 young women because he didn't think women should be engineers.
Famously yelling “I hate feminists” before pulling the trigger.
If I may geek out and quote one of my idols: Joss Whedon.
(Writer for the Avengers movie, Firefly, and most relevantly Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
“You either believe women are people, or you don’t. It’s that simple.”
We are here to honour 14 people who were brutally murdered because someone decided they shouldn't be allowed into a certain workforce… based on their gender…
And to remind people that, as long as that mentality exists in any capacity, we have work to do.
Mossy's Remarks after Intermission:
Now that we have shared refreshments and so are friends, as a friend and a man on your side I would like to thank you for coming and being part of the National day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Whether you journeyed for miles or whether you travelled all the way from the west side of Owen Sound to the east side, we are honoured that you, you, are here. Welcome all.
Looking back in remembrance is a solemn tribute to lives lost to violence, but Action is the living part.
The Montreal Massacre stimulated society’s movement toward gender equality and equal opportunity and gave impetus to recognition of the need for an ethic of stringent gun control in Canada.
Can we now claim to have made dramatic advances in reducing the incidence of violence against women?
Are we stuck in a rut when we know that the Owen Sound Woman’s Shelter is full and the Men’s Group run by Joachim Ostertag has a waiting list well beyond capacity?
This is a rural area .Much abuse is not seen, not reported, not addressed.
This is our community. We are the catalysts for change.
The fact that you are here is testament to hope and fulfilment.
Here to help us give meaning to our mourning and celebration is singer song- writer Shawna Caspi who will lift our souls and spirits with music and beauty.
Her hope, as is ours, is to contribute to a world where mutual respect and love conquer fear and violence.
Please welcome SHAWNA CASPI!
Now that we have shared refreshments and so are friends, as a friend and a man on your side I would like to thank you for coming and being part of the National day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Whether you journeyed for miles or whether you travelled all the way from the west side of Owen Sound to the east side, we are honoured that you, you, are here. Welcome all.
Looking back in remembrance is a solemn tribute to lives lost to violence, but Action is the living part.
The Montreal Massacre stimulated society’s movement toward gender equality and equal opportunity and gave impetus to recognition of the need for an ethic of stringent gun control in Canada.
Can we now claim to have made dramatic advances in reducing the incidence of violence against women?
Are we stuck in a rut when we know that the Owen Sound Woman’s Shelter is full and the Men’s Group run by Joachim Ostertag has a waiting list well beyond capacity?
This is a rural area .Much abuse is not seen, not reported, not addressed.
This is our community. We are the catalysts for change.
The fact that you are here is testament to hope and fulfilment.
Here to help us give meaning to our mourning and celebration is singer song- writer Shawna Caspi who will lift our souls and spirits with music and beauty.
Her hope, as is ours, is to contribute to a world where mutual respect and love conquer fear and violence.
Please welcome SHAWNA CASPI!
