Simpson College reports attack on campus
Security at Simpson College warns students of an attack on campus today.
According to the report, at approximately 1:23 p.m. a female student was “grabbed and groped” by an unknown male subject after being followed into the northwest entrance of Station Square apartments.
The description of the unknown male:
“White Male Adult, Approximately 30 years old, 6’1″ to 6’2″, 180 lbs with dark short hair. The subject was reported to be wearing a button down dress shirt and possibly jeans.”
To report any information:
Indianola Police Department 961-9400
Campus Security 961-1711
Walk of shame or stride of pride?
We’ve all heard of it.
Many have seen it.
More than will admit have experienced it.
What, you ask?
The dreaded “walk of shame.”
The United Kingdom’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) recently ruled that a Harvey Nichols advertisement (below) depicting women doing the “walk of shame” would not be ban because it “did not reinforce negative stereotypes of women generally or women who chose to have casual sex in particular.”
An article by Jezebel explains the problems some viewers found with the ad.
Harvey Nichols responded by saying that the ad – rather than implying that casual sex for women is shameful – was meant to show that women should do a “stride of pride.”
What do you think? Should we embrace the “stride of pride”?
Frat boys walk a mile in heels
Fraternity men at Western Kentucky University raised $1,000 for Hope Harbor as part of the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes campaign.
While there may have been a few sore feet by the end of the trek, the men supported a great cause and made a statement to all that sexual violence affects everyone.
Plus, seeing men walk in heels makes for a pretty entertaining video.
Catcalling on campuses
Catcall: A loud whistle or comment of a sexual nature made by a man to a passing woman. -Urban Dictionary
Creative Commons image courtesy of Sterft on Flickr
As the weather on campus shifts to delightfully warm, students quickly wriggle out from under their layers of winter clothing to soak up the rays.
Unfortunately, it seems that the sun’s arrival has also brought an unpleasant visitor: the catcaller.
While the sun and catcalling may appear to have nothing in common, lately they seem inseparable.
Twice now as I have sat outside doing homework, I have been catcalled.
The offenders have yelled such clever phrases as “Go for the butthole” and “Yeah titties.”
Charming.
As a member of a sorority, I hear many stories similar to this on any given day.
Why do men think it’s acceptable to catcall women?
In my case, the men could have simply driven passed and not said a word. However, they wanted me to know that I was being watched.
By yelling comments at a woman, a man is putting himself into the role of dominator: he is making it known that he is using the woman as an object for his viewing.
Harassment like this takes away a women’s power. By interrupting her personal space – whether physically or psychologically – to make her feel uncomfortable, the man gains power.
Since the “Shit (insert group of people) Say” videos are so popular these day, I thought I’d share one with you that concerns this topic:
Have you ever been catcalled? Did you enjoy it? Hate it? Please, share your experience below.
Are you a catcaller? Why do you do it? What do you gain from it?
Women’s History Month time to reflect on stereotypes
Tara Maurer | Posted: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 11:17 am
This article was originally published for The Simpsonian.
Creative Commons image courtesy of Mark B. Schlemmer on Flickr
The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago is a feminist piece celebrating historic women.
Countless times throughout my life, I have been told to “smile.”
It started when I was little at family events and has continued throughout my life. Those guilty include: my creepy uncle, my elementary and high school principals, teachers, college acquaintances and random people at bars.
What do all of these people have in common? They are always men.
In these circumstances, I’m usually not frowning. I’m just minding my own business wearing a neutral expression and a man orders me to smile.
Nothing takes you aback more than when you’re casually walking passed someone in the hallway and he demands that you smile. Literally, that’s how it happens.
You are heading to your next class and this guy you have never seen before tells you that you need to be smiling.
What’s worse? When you are actually in a bad mood and a guy insists that you smile.
First of all, it’s awkward. You have to attempt to muster up a fake smile to get them to go away when in reality you want to say, “(Insert angry word) off.”
A huge gender stereotype is that women are passive, self-sacrificing individuals. A lady is always good humored. This stereotype reinforces the idea to men that women should always be “nice girls.” And, anyway, someone smiling is always better to view than someone frowning, right?
Well here’s the problem: I’m not an object for your viewing. I’m not going to smile just to make your view better. Asking a woman to do this is asking her to pretend she feels something that she doesn’t. And anyway, it’s just plain rude!
Think about it, guys. Has another guy, or a woman for that matter, come up to you and told you need to be smiling? I’m sure you didn’t respond with: “Oh you’re right, I should be smiling right now. Thank you!”
Because this month is Women’s History Month, I think it is a great time to remind everyone of the struggles women face on a day-to-day basis, whether it be something as serious as sexual assault or something that isn’t as recognizable (like demanding that a woman smile).
Recently, I started a website called Gender University. This site is dedicated to discussing gender issues on college and university campuses. Please visit Gender University to share your experiences related to gender.
