G re
en Dot
Green dots are individual choices – that meet in a
SHARED VISION – creating the momentum of a social
movement.
Co
l l e g e S t ra t e g
y
Green Dot: A shared vision that creates momentum through the power of a
common purpose.
In isolation, even the most determined single green dot can dissolve into silent resignation when faced with
a task as daunting as changing our culture. The power of Green Dot is the momentum that can be sustained
with a shared vision and common purpose.
what’s with the green dot?
Visualize for a moment that unforgettable image of small red dots spreading across a computer generated map of the
US‚ symbolizing the spread of some terrible epidemic, with each tiny red dot representing an individual case. With
disturbing speed‚ the three or four single dots multiply and spread until the whole map emits a red glow comprised of a
zillion tiny dots.
Now imagine for a moment a map of our campus communities. Each
red dot on this map represents an act of power-based personal
violence (partner violence‚ sexual violence, or stalking). A red dot
is when someone has sex without consent; a hit, punch or shove;
threatening; cruel teasing; or spreading lies or unwanted pictures
online. A red dot is tracking, electronic monitoring, using alcohol
or drugs to incapacitate, calling humiliating names or touching
someone in a way that is unwanted. Power-based personal violence
is not a huge‚ solid mass that can simply be removed with one swift
action or policy. Rather, it is the accumulation of individual decisions
and actions made by the men and women from every corner of our campus community. It’s hard
to know exactly how many red dots are on our map at any given moment – but we do know there have been enough
red dots to create a culture that sustains far too many women and men experiencing violence while in college.
Now imagine adding a green dot in the middle of all those red dots on our map. Imagine that a green dot is any
behavior or choice that reduces the risk that a red dot plays out, promotes safety for all of us, and endorses the
community norms that violence won’t be tolerated and everyone is expected to do their part. A green dot is pulling a
friend out of a high risk situation, checking in on a friend you are worried about, telling someone to back off– a green
dot is posting a status update on Facebook about the training you attended, creating a funny Vine endorsing getting
involved, circulating a link to a cool article or YouTube video about bystander intervention – a green dot is donating a
few dollars to your local center, creating a philanthropy event for your on-campus center, or giving students extra credit
for attending a related event – a green dot is displaying an awareness poster in your office or wearing your green dot
gear – a green dot is getting someone else to step in even if you can’t – a green dot is striking up a conversation with a
friend about how much this issue matters to you. A green dot is simply your individual choice at any given moment to
make our community safer.
How many green dots will it take to begin outnumbering the red dots and reducing power-based personal violence
on our campus? How many of us will have to do 2 or 3 or 10 green dots to make a difference and begin to displace the
red dots? Even though we can’t know the exact number, we do know this. There are far more individuals in any given
community who don’t commit violence than who do. If just some of us were willing to step up – even in small ways –
very quickly, green dots could take over the map – and less of our friends and colleagues would be hurt. Think about it.
Will you do your green dot?
©2014, Dorothy J. Edwards, Ph.D.
www.livethegreendot.com
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