2008 Woodie Awards
Patriarchy presence slammed at FAL event
Shannon O'Neil
Issue date: 3/25/05 Section: News
Monologues by members of the FAL poked fun at feminist stereotypes and set the tone of an evening of sarcasm and wit.
"Hello, my name is Mary Man-Hating-Is-Fun," one participant said. "I am 23 years old, and I am what a feminist looks like. Ever since I learned to embrace my feminist nature, I found great joy in threatening men's lives, flicking off frat brothers and plotting the patriarchy's death. I hate men because they are men, because I see them for what they are: misogynistic, sexist, oppressive and absurdly pathetic beings who only serve to pollute and contaminate this world with war, abuse, oppression and rape."
Members of the FAL wore scissors around their necks, as members of the audience lightheartedly sang a song about castration.
One woman told tales of five of her friends who have been raped, one, tragically, by a stepfather. Another talked about being ridiculed for her virginity, another of being discriminated against for a lesbian relationship, and another of witnessing her mother's boyfriend sexually abuse her.
Others spoke of oppression and sexual assault here on campus. Through passionate and at times tear-choked words, the MUB became a sexist battle zone at lunch hour, and bulletin boards in dorms became canvasses for chauvinistic, offensive graffiti.
The issue of men's entitlement to women's bodies for sexual pleasure was raised by one woman. She claimed that she's been told by men that dancing provocatively at clubs is "just asking" for rape.
"Why does my dancing have to be about pleasing them? Why can't it just be about me?" she asked.
Women's magazines were also targeted as FAL members denounced the sex expert of a popular publication. The experts, they said, encourage women to give in to men's sexual fantasies, even if they don't feel comfortable or even have a medical condition that would make the acts painful.
"Thanks for reminding me that the purpose of sex is male pleasure and entitlement!" one FAL member sarcastically exclaimed.
"Hello, my name is Mary Man-Hating-Is-Fun," one participant said. "I am 23 years old, and I am what a feminist looks like. Ever since I learned to embrace my feminist nature, I found great joy in threatening men's lives, flicking off frat brothers and plotting the patriarchy's death. I hate men because they are men, because I see them for what they are: misogynistic, sexist, oppressive and absurdly pathetic beings who only serve to pollute and contaminate this world with war, abuse, oppression and rape."
Members of the FAL wore scissors around their necks, as members of the audience lightheartedly sang a song about castration.
One woman told tales of five of her friends who have been raped, one, tragically, by a stepfather. Another talked about being ridiculed for her virginity, another of being discriminated against for a lesbian relationship, and another of witnessing her mother's boyfriend sexually abuse her.
Others spoke of oppression and sexual assault here on campus. Through passionate and at times tear-choked words, the MUB became a sexist battle zone at lunch hour, and bulletin boards in dorms became canvasses for chauvinistic, offensive graffiti.
The issue of men's entitlement to women's bodies for sexual pleasure was raised by one woman. She claimed that she's been told by men that dancing provocatively at clubs is "just asking" for rape.
"Why does my dancing have to be about pleasing them? Why can't it just be about me?" she asked.
Women's magazines were also targeted as FAL members denounced the sex expert of a popular publication. The experts, they said, encourage women to give in to men's sexual fantasies, even if they don't feel comfortable or even have a medical condition that would make the acts painful.
"Thanks for reminding me that the purpose of sex is male pleasure and entitlement!" one FAL member sarcastically exclaimed.
