The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: Undefined Section

Pro-life feminism

To the Editor:

Sally Winn is a dedicated feminist. And she's resolutely pro-life. How can this be, one may wonder?

It seems she's betrayed the feminist movement by opposing the all-important right to reproductive freedom. The early feminists who fought so hard for women's rights, like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, must be turning in their graves.

Their discomfort is not because of Sally Winn, but because of the move that the mainstream feminist movement has taken. Our "feminist foremothers" saw the protection of innocent unborn children and their mothers as an integral part of their struggle to promote the dignity of women. They believed that abortion was the ultimate exploitation of women, the ultimate violence against women.

Feminists for Life of America proudly carries on this tradition. This Wednesday, FFL Vice President Sally Winn will present "Refuse to Choose: Reclaiming Feminism" at 7p.m. in Anheuser-Busch Auditorium.

In addition to discussing 200 years of pro-life feminism, she will stress solutions for women experiencing difficult pregnancies, including students and staff here at SLU. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Students for Life, VOICES, Great Issues Committee, Campus Ministry, Theology Department, Knights of Columbus and Daughters of Isabella have all come together to sponsor this event, reach across divisive political barriers and support women.

Whether you agree or disagree with Winn's position, come with an open mind to hear this woman's message.

Maria Thorson
President, SLU Students for Life

 

Butler's column offends

To the Editor:

After reading Jon Butler's account of Mardi Gras, my first livid inclination was to write an e-mail and a letter directly to Butler, demanding to know how he could write such a repulsive article. However, I decided to do a little research first in the University News archives, and discovered that several of Butler's articles are crass and offensive, mainly toward women.

Had I addressed a letter to him, and please excuse me if my assumption is wrong and of a forward nature, I am guessing that he would not have cared about my opinion anyway. Therefore, I am directing my disappointment and astonishment toward our newspaper.

I have in the past enjoyed reading the U. News. It has some interesting and entertaining articles, some good editorials, and it's always fun to read a paper in which everything that is written hits home for the reader in some way. Now, though, that is exactly the problem. That Mardi Gras article felt like a sock in the stomach.

Now, I know what goes on during the Mardi Gras celebration in Soulard. I admit, I've never gone, but you hear things. And, well, Butler's eloquent article confirmed it anyway. I also know that many people from our school attend the festivities, and I don't know what all of them do while they're there, but I assume some of them get drunk and some males throw beads to females who feel perfectly fine to display their breasts. Some of these females may very well be SLU students.

I think it's fairly obvious that I don't condone these activities, but my point is that, although they exist and receive great reception, and, although people may say that it's no big deal (because, really, who's going to remember most of it anyway?) I will not become desensitized to the issues: men exploiting women, and women allowing themselves to be exploited. Guys who enjoy seeing the show, I have a little-known secret to share with you: Women really are more than just a pair of breasts.

And ladies who bare those breasts: Flashing is not a common practice. The practice leads me to ask a few questions: Is lust so great that some women really wish to appear to be nothing more than sexual objects, and is that the way some men want to view them? And why is it acceptable to print an article making light of such issues? Why on earth are we condoning this?

Butler's account of Mardi Gras has made me embarrassed for men and women alike. We are more than lustful animals hoping to catch a glimpse of and be seen displaying, as Butler put it, "cans" and "mammaries." I am very saddened and disappointed that such a bawdy celebration exists and that the practices that occur are accepted by our society, but that's a pretty big fish to fry. So I start by expressing my sadness and disappointment that our newspaper publishes articles condoning and praising such activities. Frankly, I am disappointed that several of Butler's articles were printed.

And Butler...good luck with the ladies. After this article, I think you're going to need it.

Rachel Wieser
Sophomore, College of Public Service

 

Swimming success

To the Editor:

The campus should wake up and take notice of the best sports team on campus, the women's swim and dive team. After an undefeated season of 18-0, the team is heading to Houston on Tuesday for sectionals. Good luck ladies, make SLU proud.

Marie Hintz
Junior, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

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