Published on bgnews.com Oct.

30, 2013

BGSU plans to stop sexism, inappropriate signs

By Danae King Editor-in-Chief

When students come to campus for the first time during Opening Weekend, they may be greeted by signs along Wooster that say Daughter drop-off and Well trade beers for girls. Though the signs may be amusing to some, others are offended by the signs and the culture of sexism and gender discrimination they perpetuate. People still hold ideas of womens bodies as possessions, said senior Allie Lahey, president of the Feminist Organization Raising Consciousness and Empowerment at the University. She said she doesnt think theres been any sort of activism around the signs. However, there is a way to initiate conversations about gender discrimination and sexism on campus through Not In Our Town, said Emily Monago, director of Multicultural Affairs. I see it as a real opportunity to address a lot of issues ... just addressing all those -isms, Monago said. A few people at the University are taking that opportunity, and others from the past. Historically, [the signs] used to

be far more pervasive, said Michael Ginsburg, associate dean of students. In years past, if complaints were lodged about the yard signs, a member of the University police force would go and talk about it to the people displaying them, he said. [To] help them understand a different perspective while respecting their right to freedom of speech, Ginsburg said. We present them with what kind of environment theyre helping to create whether they intend to or not. In the fall, for the next opening weekend, Ginsburg is hoping there will be a NIOT counter-demonstration, which will include banners welcoming students, he said. Police officers will definitely be going to the houses when there are complaints, Ginsburg said. This isnt the only instance of sexism and gender discrimination there has been at the University It can be anything ... it can be something like just telling a joke, a joke that puts someone down because of gender identity, gender expression, Monago said. Lahey said she thinks sexual assault happens often on Main St. I think theres a lot of sexual assault

that happens there and isnt reported, she said. I think theres this assumption that it isnt dangerous and that its amusing ... I think it happens everywhere. It happens in a lot of different or subtle ways. One way it can happen subtly is when it happens in the classroom. Were used to thinking of gender discrimination as only discrimination of women through visual objectification or by not allowing them opportunities, said Radhika Gajjala, professor in the department of communications. Discrimination is more insidious now, Gajjala said. No one will tell you to your face, you should not be here, Gajjala said. The way it happens today is [society] makes you subtly understand your body shouldnt be here ... There is this perception of a level playing field that actually makes it worse for some women. Gajjala said she thinks Not In Our Town has the potential to help with gender discrimination on campus. Its mobilized students to think about where they are, she said. [In a few years] I would like it to have a presence in a way that if someone is facing these issues, they have somewhere to go.