Sluts of a Feather Walk Together

By Alexis M Peters ‘20

When Amber Rose walked into the room, I couldn’t help but nudge my neighbor and whisper anxiously: “She’s here!” The model, actress, and activist entered the room to a smattering of applause, her blonde-headed entourage bobbing behind her. The event hadn’t even started, but a respectful hush had fallen over the crowd, everyone ready to absorb empowerment and knowledge.

On Tuesday, October 2, I attended OpenEd: A Fireside Chat with Amber Rose, hosted by USC Dornsife and The Amber Rose Foundation. It was an event to promote open dialogue and education about sex positivity, rape culture, gender inequality, and digital activism. With Amber Rose herself as the discussion mediator, there were four women panelists: Shafika Ahmadi, Associate Professor of Clinical Education at the Rossier School of Education; Genie Harrison, a trial lawyer with her own law firm, and recognized by Best Lawyers in America; Liz Havstad, executive director and COO of Hip Hop Caucus, a civil and human rights organization; and Nicole aBeckett, the cofounder of SameSide, an organization that uses art, music, and culture to make political action more accessible. This was certainly an esteemed group of women, and they perched on their little stools, smiling out at us like elegant queens.

(Screenshot from Instagram @slutwalk_la)

I didn’t know what exactly to expect initially, but the event turned out to be one of the most empowering experiences I had ever had. The panelists discussed the importance of activism, and how to get involved. So many people feel like they don’t have the power to do anything of importance, but using your voice is a powerful tool. You can sign petitions, join activist groups, or just “tell your story.” That was Liz Hovstad’s advice to those who were unsure of how to begin their own activist journeys. She pointed out that nearly everyone has access to the internet, and through social media you can speak out and share your voice in order to start “changing the status quo.”

During the discussion, there was a lot of talk about making a change in our society, and how things are versus how they used to be, versus how they can be. Amber Rose brought up the fact that some people believe there are more sexual assaults happening nowadays because so many victims are coming forward via the Me Too movement. Super lawyer Genie Harrison was quick to say that there is the “same amount of sexual harassment… victims are just banding together.”

She also pointed out that while victims are getting the platform to speak out, there have been some Title IX rollbacks from the Trump administration that exclude parts of the gender spectrum, and provide more protection for the accused rather that the victim of sexual assault cases. At which point, everyone was encouraged to register to vote. Nicole aBeckett postulated that everyone has influence and everyone can inspire others. She emphasized the fact that every election counts, right now it’s important to get out and vote for House Representatives, but even at other levels for city council, election results are often decided by “just a few hundred votes.” Your voice does matter. (Register to vote here!)

And beyond voting and political activism, Amber Rose talked about her goal for the Slut Walk. She wanted women to feel that they could take charge of their sexuality, and “take back the streets.” She told her story of being in school and how she was constantly slut shamed for liking sports and having a lot of male friends, how she used to be a stripper, and because of that simple fact, many people discount her opinions and don’t take her seriously. Amber Rose started the Slut Walk to provide a no judgement zone and safe space for women, non-binary, and LGBTQ people. It’s all about sex positivity.

She said she believed in not judging other women for their choices. Whether you’re “buttoned-up,” or letting loose, she tells other women, “you do you.” The Slut Walk gets a lot of criticism because people believe that she is encouraging women to be sluts, but Amber just wants everyone to express their sexuality in a way that is safe and consensual. She admits, “I’ve done some ho [expletive],” but there have also been times where she just wasn’t in the mood. “No does not mean convince me.” She advocates for safety and consent, regardless of one’s sexual preferences. “Men ain’t [expletive],” Amber continued. She thought it was important for women and victims to stick together on issues of sexual assault and sexual expression. “Sorry, boyfriend,” she said afterwards, gesturing to her boyfriend sitting in the front row. The panel finished on a positive note as Amber explained that while someone of any gender could be a victim, men needed to do better, and parents needed to do better at teaching boys to respect women.

The Amber Rose OpenEd event was an empowering discussion about affecting change and using your voice in political activism, but beyond that, it was about loving yourself, supporting others, and creating a more sex positive society where people don’t have to be afraid of who they are. If these all sound like great things to you, attend Amber Rose’s fourth annual Slut Walk this Saturday, October 6th! Admission is only $19, and it is sure to be a fun event filled with support, love, and positivity!

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