- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XX - November 10, 2005 - opinion
Sexism on campus alive and thriving
Guest columnist
Less is more, women. Less is more.
At least that's what I've learned from the media and the men I work with.
The media shows us images of half dressed, abnormally thin women whom some women desperately try to imitate.
You know the ones.
It's the girl who sits in front of you in Spanish who tries pulling up on the back of her ultra-low-rise jeans while sitting down.
She tries this two or three times before giving up, only to commence tugging her shirt down.
Again to no avail.
You know you're in for another day of avoiding eye contact with that bright lacy triangle and the places that attached string leads you.
I've been told many times that sexism is dead and if not dead, it's a trite topic.
Yet, in my daily life I see evidence that sexism is still very much with us.
Wait. Gentlemen. If you think this is all about women—again, you are mistaken.
Take a trip with me to the toy store.
Upon walking in you are bombarded with pink and periwinkle.
It's the Princess Collection, and Cinderella, holds first place.
The girls' section explodes with accessories, makeup kits, cooking kits, high-heels, boas and dolls with huge eyes and less clothing than Lil' Kim.
Eventually you come to green, black and red. Words like "MEGA!" blare from every other box and we move from doll to action figure.
The action figures lack the huge eyes and glitter, but they've gained broader shoulders and more muscles than Brock Lesnar.
Why am I talking about children's toys?
What about the recent St. Joseph house-party themed "G.I. Joes and Barbie Hoes"?
Doesn't this promote the idea that women should be abnormally thin with huge breasts, not to mention scantily clad and sexually promiscuious?
Or that men should be aggressive, beefy, gun-wielding soldiers ready for hand-to-hand combat?
Rather than clutching packaged dolls and action figures as you walk out of the toy store, you're all grown up now and walking out of your very own commercialized boxes.
Congratulations: To those who've grown up to be like Barbie or G.I. Joe, just as you always wanted.
Think twice, older siblings, big cousins, cool aunts and uncles, before buying the latest Bratz Doll for your cousin, or before telling your nephew he cannot have a My-Little-Pony.
Men, think before cracking those jokes about women being barefoot in the kitchen.
These are not as innocent as you may intend them.
Women, reflect before laughing off the sexist comments.
If the ultra-low-rise jeans with the visible thong are not comfortable, find a style you like; your comfort and confidence will only enhance your attraction.
We, women and men alike, should have the opportunity to express our opinions and ideas, to be judged on character rather than clothing.
We cannot ignore the presence of sexism and leave it as something of the last century to fade with time.