Book review of Erin Weed’s Girls Fight Back!
The
College Girl's Guide to Protecting Herself
It's that time in the school year
where the excitement from moving in and figuring out where your classes are is
winding down and the threat of finals hasn't solidified quite yet. Homecoming
has just passed or is coming up and maybe the fraternities and sororities on
campus are planning huge blow outs to celebrate the latest home team victory.
In short: it's a social whirlwind!
Enter Erin Weed, author of Girls
Fight Back: The College Girl's Guide to Protecting Herself. After her
sorority sister, Shannon, was murdered, Erin studied with experts in campus
security, personal safety, violence prevention and self-defense. During this
extensive research and training, she formed a movement called Girls Fight Back.
Not only is this an organization which teaches women self-defense, but the
author calls it a “conscious choice to reclaim our security in the world.” She
says that this is the book that she wished she and Shannon had in college.
At first glance Girls Fight
Back starts out like any other “how-to” book; here is the background
information and how to use it. However, as soon as you dive into the first
chapter, you realize that you're reading something you're never going to
forget. The book reaffirms that being a college-aged woman is supposed to be
exciting and the experience full of “outrageous adventure.” We have the right
to enjoy our independence and be safe while doing so. Then she takes the next
100 pages to outline exactly how to prepare yourself the best way you can. How
do you trust your intuition? Who are the bad guys? (Surprising to most young
women: he's 4 times more likely to be someone you know.) What kind of roommate
should you choose to live with? What if your boyfriend is too possessive? And
included in it's own chapter: how do I keep myself safe on Spring Break?
Erin's take on what modern
college-aged women need to know is refreshing, current and above all, practical.
(There is an entire chapter on navigating the online world.) She knows that
experiencing new things, people and situations is part of the college life. And
yet, she explains how to do all of those things while discovering your adult
identity in a safe way.
Girls Fight Back includes
an entire chapter on getting to a self-defense class. Without mentioning IMPACT
by name, the author heartily recommends a class that offers “scenario-based
training against a guy in a padded suit.” Also, just like IMPACT, the author
reiterates that while knowing self-defense doesn't offer any guarantees,
knowing it at least gives you a fighting chance.
This book represents a frank and
open discussion of intimate topics that a lot of young women haven't ever
broached before. It removes the mystery around date rape as well as assuring
young women that assertiveness is critical in being safe, even if it may
portray you in a light that others find uncomfortable. Your comfort is
paramount. This book should be distributed to all freshman women right
alongside their class schedule and dorm assignment.
Erin Weed wants to know, “which
girlfriend could you not live without?” Read this book, come to IMPACT, and
pass it on.
Molly Norris, IMPACT Chicago
workshop instructor and Core Program instructor-in-training
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