Make Your Own DAMN Sandwich - An Event to Raise Awareness of Sexism

Make Your Own DAMN Sandwich - An Event to Raise Awareness of Sexism


Make Your Own DAMN Sandwich was an event that took place on March 21st to respond to sexist language and attitudes on our campus. This event also attempted to deconstruct and challenge attitudes while encouraging participants to learn about gender inequity and how to recognize everyday sexism in their lives. The event title plays off of the circulating “joke” where a female-identifying student might jokingly be told: “Bitch, go make me a sandwich” or “Why don’t you get back in the kitchen?” Although this is made to be a joke, it is important to empower women to go above and beyond this crude sense of humor.

The overall goal of Make Your Own Damn Sandwich was to have participants in the event make their own sandwiches by deconstructing sexism through facilitated activities. In the event, there were small group activities that involved our main topics of concern which included: Job Equity, Intersectionality, Consent and Sex, Media Representations and Body Image, Self-Care, and Gender Binaries and the Sexuality Spectrum. By participating in each small group, students began to build their own “sandwich” as well as gain understanding for gender equity issues.

By the end of the event, students left with a heightened awareness and an actual sandwich after having completed all activities. This event is especially important in our community because we are surrounded by such a diverse group of students. By being aware that there are multiple perspectives, we must be able to let our voices be heard but also respect and understand that not everyone may agree. In addition, one person may consider something to be a joke, however, others may actually consider it rude and ignorant. By having such events, we hope to have others pay it forward and raise awareness of issues of sexism.