The Circle

Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Bridget Sullivan The name's Bond, James Bond. "Voices of Men" creator Ben Atherton-Zeman poses as the notoriously suave British spy to help teach young men about the realities and dangers of domestic violence and rape by men. The performance, held last Monday in the Nelly Goletti Theater, ended with every male reciting a pledge to "never commit, condone, or remain silent about men's violence against women.'

Media Credit: Bridget Sullivan

Ben Atherton-Zeman sounded a gong as students filed into the Nelly Goletti Theater, initiating the sonorous sound every 12 seconds, its tones ringing through the introduction given by counseling services director Roberta Staples. After she finished, he revealed that every time he hit the gong, "a man abuses the woman he promised to love" and every two minutes, a man rapes a woman.

Beginning with the gong, Atherton-Zeman, an active member of the National Organization for Men Against Sexism, brought his one-man play, "Voices of Men," to Marist last Monday. Atherton-Zeman is famous for his amazingly accurate impersonations of male celebrities while teaching young men about sexual assault, date rape, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and the objectification of women.

The show alternated video clips portraying victims of violent beatings and domestic violence with intentionally humorous caricatures of fictional men like Rocky Balboa, James Bond, and Austin Powers. He said he chose these three characters because they are icons of white, American masculinity.

Each of the characters came out on stage to make a point. Rocky Balboa began telling the audience about his ex-girlfriend who broke up with him because he didn't listen when she said no. He advised that men need to listen to a women's voice as well as her body language and tone. Men who are too persistent can sometimes unknowingly become rapists.

James Bond told the story of his nephew who was arrest for hitting his girlfriend. Bond explained that emotional abuse, like jealousy and other controlling behaviors are warning signs that a man could potentially become abusive. Austin Powers, known for his womanizing ways, came to the realization onstage that feminists have valid goals and do not hate all men. He promises to try treating woman like companions rather than objects.

Though Atherton-Zeman provided comical impersonations, the videos shown illustrated that the violence he talked about actually happens. In one, the audience heard the terrified voice of a small girl, Lisa, who called 911. Her stepfather was in the background beating her mother and baby sibling. The recording seemed to jolt the audience back to reality.

As a college student, Atherton-Zeman admits to using the same techniques the Rocky character used in coercing women. After meeting women who had been disrespected by guys like him, Atherton-Zeman wanted to take action.

"I was part of the problem and I want to be part of the solution," he said.

He started campaigning against violence at 19 when he walked 3,400 miles in the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament. "Voices of Men" was a spur of the moment idea for Atherton-Zeman. He said thought of it one morning, deciding it would be a good way to spread the word to young people about domestic violence. For five years Atherton-Zeman has performed "Voices of Men," averaging 40 performances a year. He said he does a lot of performances in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

After Atherton-Zeman's performance, he came out dressed in a shirt that read "Stop violence against women." He thanked Housing and Residential Life, the Athletic Department and College Activites for cosponsoring his performance and the Student Government Association for their support.

He asked all the men in the room to stand up and recite a pledge against violence. Males up and said in unison "I pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about men's violence against women. I pledge to never coerce anyone I know into having sex, or to pressure them into any kind of unwanted physical contact. I will always seek clear communication instead of assuming consent. I choose to respect, listen to and seek equality with every person I date, and every person I know."

One audience member Stephen Peterson, who said was required to come by the athletic department, said, "I stood and recited the pledge with most of the other males in the audience. I am proud that I did this."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools