Shawna Potter in Burlington: Being There for 'Making Spaces Safer'

Words by Thomas Shimmield

Shawna Potter is, firstly, a musician and lead singer for the band War On Women. The band is known for combining its punk rock style with the feminist beliefs and values of its members, Shawna included. They are far from the first group to fuze ideology and song, but without a doubt are one of the most experienced and unique. The experience comes from years of playing in public, proudly sharing their ideals through their lyrics. And the uniqueness comes from, well, how many feminist groups are actively playing punk rock shows? If this is anything to go by, then not enough.

But you’ll notice I said that Shawna Potter is “firstly” a musician, because there’s still another side to her professional coin. As of 2019, Shawna has written and published a book under the title of ‘Making Spaces Safer: A Guide to Giving Harassment the Boot Wherever You Work, Play and Gather.’ The subtitle sums it up pretty well, but to put it in my own words: it’s the ultimate guide of what to say and do when confronted with harassment, gained over years of experience from a reputable source. It’s clear to see from these endeavors what Shawna’s heart is set in, and how through different mediums she continues to spread her (and her band’s) message.

Shawna Potter with members of The Path.

On February 18th, Shawna Potter was hosted by Big Heavy World at the Fletcher Free Library to speak on the topics of ‘Making Spaces Safer’ and her experience of writing the book. I remember sitting towards the front, looking around and seeing that hardly one seat was left unoccupied. The demand for the book, and the advice within it, spoke for itself through the event’s turnout. Over the course of the half hour event, Shawna shared advice straight from the book over the podium to anyone who asked. It ranged through everything, from being shouted at by a drunk stranger across the street  to someone who is more familiar to the person in question, and gave helpful tips of how to both get the harasser away and keep yourself safe while doing so. Throughout this all, audience participation was sky-high—more of a discussion than it was a solo monologue. The attendance and participation are, I’d say, solid indicators of the demand and quality of Shawna’s insight.

I’m a firm believer in letting a person speak on their (and their book’s) own behalf. And so, in Shawna Potter’s own words: “If some shit goes down and you’re around to see it, that you’re going to deal with it appropriately in a way that supports the victim — that you’re going to say, ‘Hey, stop being an asshole” to someone. Sometimes it’s really just that simple, and for a lot of people that can be difficult, but the book goes into a bunch of different ways that you can approach that ‘Hey, don’t be an asshole” that keeps you safe and deescalates the situation.” - (Teen Vogue interview by Kim Kelly).

Shawna with musician and event MC Thaya Zalewski.

Aside from this singular event, Shawna’s book will be central to other public discussions under the umbrella of Big Heavy World and the Vermont Department of Libraries. They, like the one I attended, will be public events based on discussing the topics brought up in “Making Spaces Safer.” The aim is, of course, to reach as many needful and listening ears as possible to make everyone smarter about dealing with harassment. And in turn: safer.

And for those said people, “Making Spaces Safer” is available as an e-book, online and in stores like Phoenix Books in Burlington and Rutland; Bear Pond Books in Montpelier and the Bennington Bookstore. Shawna also made appearances on VPR and on Big Heavy’s own Rocketshop. I place my bets that down the road she’ll still be appearing elsewhere in Vermont, too; whether it be through a book, on a stage, at a public event, whatever it takes to spread the good word.