Franklin Pierce University, Rindge N.H

I am not used to people of learning calling my mother a whore. In the United Kingdom, the mere idea of a group of university professors walking up to a picture of my dear mum and scrawling “SLUT” over it would probably result in scuffles, protests and at the very least a lot of tut-tutting and the expulsion of the professors. In America however, things are different and the general openness of this country is one of the things that I try to appreciate.

In Scotland, were we to have problems with racism or sexism on a university campus it would most likely be hushed up and brushed under the metaphorical carpet. If there were offensive slogans such as Nazi swastikas painted on walls they would be ignored, whether from lack of impact or general British mentality, a situation that would seem bizarre to most Americans as us Brits were nearly invaded by the fascists. At Franklin Pierce though, such things are viewed, quite rightly, with open outrage and efforts are made to instantly quash them.

To this end I was forced to sit through a one-hour seminar entited “Whores, Sluts Dykes and your Mother” that was designed to decrease the amount of sexism in the university. During this time the F.P.U community was encouraged to talk openly and frankly about sexist slurs and their impact, and to address ways in which we can end the sexist culture. The main activity behind this constituted the activity I already outlined, where-upon the picture used to symbolize my mother was destroyed with a quick “SLUT” across its front.

Though I thought this was interesting, and made me briefly question the use of my language and how hurtful one can be, I didn’t feel it successfully addressed the sexist culture that I think is rife in America. Yes, through seminars such as this the use of such words as whore, or dyke, or slut may diminish slightly for a small while, but a general, horrid lack of regard for women still remains in the United States. In this country the media alone is hugely damaging, with pictures of photo shopped, unrealistic beauties bombarding girls from a young age, with size zero clothing being introduced into shops, with modern music insulting and critiquing women constantly. There are now almost specific guidelines drawn up as to what is cool and stylish, enforced not by written decree but by public opinion and scorn to any who do not follow them.

In the end, if we want to question sexism at university we must ask the right questions. We must hold seminars questioning media, film especially, to successfully understand how deeply chauvinism exists. The community leaders and faculty must make efforts to understand teen culture successfully so they can communicate with the student body. Our current approach of general apathy, dispersed with moments of outrage and themed events is not effective and though of course I approve in principle I think a harder path may be necessary.