2008 Woodie Awards
Monon not an excuse to forgo respect for community
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
T-shirts with jeering slogans aimed at Wabash College have long been a fun, popular and, as the case may be, lucrative tradition around Monon. And since Monon is unarguably a fairly wild weekend all around, many of the sayings on these shirts push the boundaries of acceptability. However, we at The DePauw feel a line has not just been pushed, but crossed.
The most recent shirt, produced by DePauw Entrepreneurs Association (DEA), says "Wabash loves Spud Dick." While Spud Dick is our quarterback, and therefore entirely worthy of adulation at DePauw, there is little reason, as such, for Wabash to love him. The implication, then, is that Wabash loves Spud's surname, an unfortunately crude term for male genitalia - an implication reinforced by the fact that the "Spud" is written in tiny letters compared to the rest of the text.
The DePauw applauds the DEA's entrepreneurial endeavor, and the obvious thought and creativity that went into what is admittedly a very clever play on words. We also appreciate DEA's right to free speech; we are firm believers that there is no greater privilege and practice, for obvious reasons. However, making a joke at the expense of a traditionally marginalized population only serves to marginalize that population further. And since there are undoubtedly gay and lesbian students, faculty and staff on this campus, the T-shirt's message may accomplish its goal of insulting Wabash, but perhaps at the cost of campus unity, another, equally important aspect of Monon weekend.
The intent of the shirt is not questioned. The DePauw has no doubt that DEA did not set out to create a T-shirt with a homophobic message. But there is a difference between these shirts and shirts that say, for example, 'F--k Wabash.' While still offensive to many, the latter do not make an intrinsic, deeply personal aspect of humanity the butt of mockery. The problem lies in the fact that the slogan - meant to be insulting of Wabash students which, at Monon time, is OK by all - implies that it is an insult and a very negative thing to be gay.
Monon is a time to come together as a campus and participate in a historic rivalry, not an excuse to be disrespectful of all in the pursuit of the popular goal to disrespect Wabash.
In the same vein, The DePauw urges students to recognize the efforts of those who provide what has come to be the traditional midnight breakfast. This year, instead of pancakes and syrup, pastries, muffins and danish will be served. This is a direct result of the mess made in past years by students who attended (see story Page 1). The DePauw urges students to remember that nothing forces the University, faculty and staff not just to provide, but also to serve us breakfast Sunday morning. Be respectful. Say please and thank you. There's no reason not to.
Finally, The DePauw wishes everyone a very happy and extremely fun weekend. Monon really is about fun, first and foremost, as long as everyone (except Wabash) is having it.
Go Tigers!
The most recent shirt, produced by DePauw Entrepreneurs Association (DEA), says "Wabash loves Spud Dick." While Spud Dick is our quarterback, and therefore entirely worthy of adulation at DePauw, there is little reason, as such, for Wabash to love him. The implication, then, is that Wabash loves Spud's surname, an unfortunately crude term for male genitalia - an implication reinforced by the fact that the "Spud" is written in tiny letters compared to the rest of the text.
The DePauw applauds the DEA's entrepreneurial endeavor, and the obvious thought and creativity that went into what is admittedly a very clever play on words. We also appreciate DEA's right to free speech; we are firm believers that there is no greater privilege and practice, for obvious reasons. However, making a joke at the expense of a traditionally marginalized population only serves to marginalize that population further. And since there are undoubtedly gay and lesbian students, faculty and staff on this campus, the T-shirt's message may accomplish its goal of insulting Wabash, but perhaps at the cost of campus unity, another, equally important aspect of Monon weekend.
The intent of the shirt is not questioned. The DePauw has no doubt that DEA did not set out to create a T-shirt with a homophobic message. But there is a difference between these shirts and shirts that say, for example, 'F--k Wabash.' While still offensive to many, the latter do not make an intrinsic, deeply personal aspect of humanity the butt of mockery. The problem lies in the fact that the slogan - meant to be insulting of Wabash students which, at Monon time, is OK by all - implies that it is an insult and a very negative thing to be gay.
Monon is a time to come together as a campus and participate in a historic rivalry, not an excuse to be disrespectful of all in the pursuit of the popular goal to disrespect Wabash.
In the same vein, The DePauw urges students to recognize the efforts of those who provide what has come to be the traditional midnight breakfast. This year, instead of pancakes and syrup, pastries, muffins and danish will be served. This is a direct result of the mess made in past years by students who attended (see story Page 1). The DePauw urges students to remember that nothing forces the University, faculty and staff not just to provide, but also to serve us breakfast Sunday morning. Be respectful. Say please and thank you. There's no reason not to.
Finally, The DePauw wishes everyone a very happy and extremely fun weekend. Monon really is about fun, first and foremost, as long as everyone (except Wabash) is having it.
Go Tigers!
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Christopher Bannister
posted 11/09/07 @ 11:39 AM EST
"We also appreciate DEA's right to free speech; we are firm believers that there is no greater privilege and practice, for obvious reasons."
...Clearly you don't appreciate free speech. (Continued…)
Mike Zabelin
posted 11/09/07 @ 4:42 PM EST
I believe that this excellent op-ed and the values of free speech are quite compatible. Just because you can say something doesn't mean you should.
One of the greatest reasons for the 1st amendment's freedom of speech is its ability to keep open the "marketplace of ideas. (Continued…)
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