And now Bad News
Apr. 30th, 2008 05:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jhameiaRemember the Yale frat boys harassing the Yale Women's Center, chanting vile shit and basically being a bunch of anti-woman jerks-whom-one-can-see-being-elitist-rapists-that-get-away-with-stupid-violent-hateful-shit-someday?
On Monday, the Executive Committee of Yale College found the members of this group not guilty of intimdiation [sic] and harassment charges. No charges of sexual harassment were ever filed, even though complaints were issued with the Sexual Harassment Grievance Board.
It's sickening, because even any girls who DID receive the end of the harassment don't have any legal recourse:
Months ago, I walked in the Women’s Center, expecting to easily enter. I certainly did not expect to be confronted with a group of men, ebulliently shouting, as I heard it, “Dick! Dick! Dick!” while they carefully arranged themselves, edging as close as possible to the sign that boldly declares: “Yale Women’s Center.” While grinning, the brothers perversely documented this moment of pride in photograph.
...
ExComm was unable to find guilty any of the brothers of Zeta Psi guilty. The 12 students who held up the carefully printed sign “We Love Yale Sluts” while repeatedly chanting “dick” have survived Yale’s justice system untarnished.
Perhaps the brothers of Zeta Psi were unaware of the symbolic role of the Women’s Center: It is the only place on this campus designated a safe space for women; it is the only place dedicated to gender equity. Perhaps they did not to intend to “harm anyone socially or psychologically,” as their public apology attests; rather, their behavior was a mere “lapse of judgment.” But, consciously or unconsciously, they were aware of how demeaning it would be to shout “dick” in front of a women’s space, how degrading it is to call a person a “slut,” how their fraternity culture forced them to participate in acts of misogyny.
...
In the recent panel discussion, “Sociology of Hate,” professor Joanne Meyerowitz said, “We all believe in the right to free speech, including the right to negative, unpleasant, judgmental speech. But we also believe in everyone’s equal right to live free from harassment, that is, to co-exist at Yale in an environment that’s not intimidating, hostile or offensive. But one person’s free speech, can, in fact, be someone else’s harassment.”
The Executive Committee, as it stands, fails to address a large number of sexual-harassment cases. It is unusual for a student to come forward and file a complaint. Yet it is rare when students who perpetuate sexual harassment receive a harsher punishment than a mere reprimand.
Only as the victim in this case am I permitted to speak; all other parties involved are bound by confidentiality. Students are prohibited from speaking to other students, professors or friends about any detail of the case. In ExComm’s summaries of disciplinary action, there is only a record of the trial and the judgment, nothing more. There is no written record of the deliberations. Consequently, there is no transparency or system of accountability. Students have no knowledge of how other students have been hurt, intimidated, harassed or assaulted.
...
Despite my involvement, I cannot appeal its judgment or even question how it was ultimately determined. I cannot appeal the fact that all 12 brothers of Zeta Psi were allowed to read my written affidavit before they wrote their own — 12 iterations of the same collective story.
...
I was directly affected and I question your respect for my female body. Though [Zeta Psi] claim to accept responsibility for your own actions, I would prefer that the University take it all. Behavior of this nature will be enacted and tolerated in the future precisely because you received no punishment, no discipline — not even a reprimand.
And people say feminism isn't needed anymore. Maybe in relatively-happy Canada, but we can't forget the rest of the world.
On Monday, the Executive Committee of Yale College found the members of this group not guilty of intimdiation [sic] and harassment charges. No charges of sexual harassment were ever filed, even though complaints were issued with the Sexual Harassment Grievance Board.
It's sickening, because even any girls who DID receive the end of the harassment don't have any legal recourse:
Months ago, I walked in the Women’s Center, expecting to easily enter. I certainly did not expect to be confronted with a group of men, ebulliently shouting, as I heard it, “Dick! Dick! Dick!” while they carefully arranged themselves, edging as close as possible to the sign that boldly declares: “Yale Women’s Center.” While grinning, the brothers perversely documented this moment of pride in photograph.
...
ExComm was unable to find guilty any of the brothers of Zeta Psi guilty. The 12 students who held up the carefully printed sign “We Love Yale Sluts” while repeatedly chanting “dick” have survived Yale’s justice system untarnished.
Perhaps the brothers of Zeta Psi were unaware of the symbolic role of the Women’s Center: It is the only place on this campus designated a safe space for women; it is the only place dedicated to gender equity. Perhaps they did not to intend to “harm anyone socially or psychologically,” as their public apology attests; rather, their behavior was a mere “lapse of judgment.” But, consciously or unconsciously, they were aware of how demeaning it would be to shout “dick” in front of a women’s space, how degrading it is to call a person a “slut,” how their fraternity culture forced them to participate in acts of misogyny.
...
In the recent panel discussion, “Sociology of Hate,” professor Joanne Meyerowitz said, “We all believe in the right to free speech, including the right to negative, unpleasant, judgmental speech. But we also believe in everyone’s equal right to live free from harassment, that is, to co-exist at Yale in an environment that’s not intimidating, hostile or offensive. But one person’s free speech, can, in fact, be someone else’s harassment.”
The Executive Committee, as it stands, fails to address a large number of sexual-harassment cases. It is unusual for a student to come forward and file a complaint. Yet it is rare when students who perpetuate sexual harassment receive a harsher punishment than a mere reprimand.
Only as the victim in this case am I permitted to speak; all other parties involved are bound by confidentiality. Students are prohibited from speaking to other students, professors or friends about any detail of the case. In ExComm’s summaries of disciplinary action, there is only a record of the trial and the judgment, nothing more. There is no written record of the deliberations. Consequently, there is no transparency or system of accountability. Students have no knowledge of how other students have been hurt, intimidated, harassed or assaulted.
...
Despite my involvement, I cannot appeal its judgment or even question how it was ultimately determined. I cannot appeal the fact that all 12 brothers of Zeta Psi were allowed to read my written affidavit before they wrote their own — 12 iterations of the same collective story.
...
I was directly affected and I question your respect for my female body. Though [Zeta Psi] claim to accept responsibility for your own actions, I would prefer that the University take it all. Behavior of this nature will be enacted and tolerated in the future precisely because you received no punishment, no discipline — not even a reprimand.
And people say feminism isn't needed anymore. Maybe in relatively-happy Canada, but we can't forget the rest of the world.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-05-01 05:46 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-05-03 05:43 pm (UTC)Makes my blood boil, and if this happens again (which it probably will given the repercussions - or, lack thereof) I'm hoping that somebody will actually do something to stop it.