To the Editor:
Once again, the women of RPI were reminded of this school’s failed commitment to diversity. This weekend, during a UPAC-sponsored concert by Catch 22 in the McNeil Room, a young man was invited on stage from the crowd. He proceeded to recite a "poem," whose title was so obscene and derogatory to women that we are not allowed to quote it in The Poly. The actual content of the two-stanza poem was no less sexist and demeaning than its title. His poem was greeted by the cheers of a majority of the male members of the audience, who then also took up their own equally vile chant. Alarmingly, only a few audience members protested this egregious, misogynistic, and embarrassing display.
It is shocking that the RPI students and the off-campus attendees considered this type of behavior to be normal, appropriate, and even funny. For a school that repeatedly insists it is trying to diversify its student body, we find it shocking and reprehensible that this sexist attitude is tolerated. This is not an isolated incident. We would like to point out just some of the copious examples: Playboy in the bookstore, fraternity and club posters featuring partially-clad women in provocative poses, ads for "men’s clubs" in The Poly, and the persistent sentiment that admission standards are lowered for some students to meet school quotas. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
We would like to invite the members of the RPI community to take the initiative and eradicate this kind of objectifying and demeaning behavior. We call to all students, faculty, staff, administrators, and members of the community to rise up and take a stand. Through coordination and community action, this situation can be remedied. The past need not dictate the future.
It is time for students to drop their shroud of silence and speak out. Demand that the posters on campus advertising events using scantily-clad women be removed, and the organizations held accountable for their inappropriate representations. Approach administrators about discrimination in courses, group meetings, and classwork. Shout down the jeers and leers that are audible during public events. Do not tolerate any more comments about students being accepted into RPI to satisfy quotas. Join RPI’s Sexual Awareness Team to combat sexual harassment and assault. Most importantly, do not be afraid to voice your anger. Stand up for yourself and our community. Act Now!
"Your silence will not protect you."- Audre Lorde
If you are interested in change, send us an e-mail at narcis@rpi.edu or wellsm@rpi.edu and help plan a community meeting.
Louis Gerbarg, CSCI ’01
Chris Gill, ITEC ’02
Sandy Narciso, BIOL ’01
Meredith Wells, STSS ’01
