Ever since
Keith Olberman started the WTF segment (even before that, but one looks for
legitimacy- like big firms do), I have wanted to incorporate that somehow in the things I read and do a double take on. You know the "Is this REALLY what happened?"Not "What were they thinking?" but things that induce the "Were they thinking?" effect.
I think it is but appropriate that
this news should have the honor of being the pioneer post in what will undoubtedly be a long running series.
Let us not even go into the whole "
We do not ask for it" deal. We do not, but you know what, no one gives a damn for what we want. Women, let us face it, fair and square, are not human enough to feel that these sort of policies in , irony of ironies, Women's Colleges (maybe those should be called Woemen's Colleges, they do seem intent on making women woe-ful) push women firmly into the thriteenth century- or a more unenlightened time. Let us forget that "They cannot control themselves" is not a very flattering argument for men either. Because in some kind of warped mentality, this idea makes sense to these very respected Principals of these women's colleges. As does "Let us lock up the girls, it is good for them" does to parents, teachers, law makers the country over. After all it is their fault, their dress, their looks, that poor men cannot "control" their unquenchable lust. It is "immodest dress" that makes a man a wild animal on the loose wanting to
screw anything and
anybody in sight. Poor men. They cannot help it.
However, this is a time of
great economic uncertainty. People are losing jobs- and homes often unable to pay their mortgages or bills. Consumer confidence is down. '09 and a year or so after is bound to be bad for everyone. So, it is rather difficult in times like this for women to change their wardrobes, just to continue their education. Something that someone like me, with a wardrobe for four jeans and 13 teeshirts( those were my undergrad clothes), would have to do, spending on
salwar kameez's and
saris, maybe
lehenga's and
cholis . Anything but those figure revealing evil bits of clothing like
jeans and
teeshirts (those evil influences of the corrupt West). But that can cost money. Money that hard working parents are probably saving up for l
avish weddings- after all , all good girls need to "Settle down". The other alternative- changing the college is there too, but who is to say it will not get enlightenment in the shape of rules of dress of the same sort. After all high heels do cause moral women to falter in a literal and figurative sense ( the colleges are banning women from wearing, jeans, sleeveless shirts, high heels, "revealing clothes"- I guess anything revealing more than a burka will do- no, but that is what they do in
backward countries, not enlightened ones where women are empowered. In women-respecting, empowered sociei=ties like India they just ban them wearing some clothes, to protect them.....) .
I propose something simpler, cheaper too. A plan breathtaking in its simplicity.
Just BLINDFOLD THE MEN.
Easy- it just takes a large handkerchief or bandana or scarf.
Economical- that costs about much less than an entire wardrobe- and
bulk buying would certainly make the costs drop.
And Effective- 100% ( not even abstinence gives you
that assurance). Because they will not be able to see women, and so will not be incited to lust against them. Simple. No hassle, no new wardrobes, no, "reduce the incidence of" , simply a blanket ban of sorts.
Of course blinding the men would be even more effective, but it would tie up precious resources in the form of doctors, and would work out to be just a little bit detrimental to a workforce. Blindfolding would be just as effective.
Indeed, I propose we could each start a fund to collect the money for the scarves. Lets take up a collection.
Any takers?
No??? I thought not.
EDIT: Come to think of it, Castration would be even more effective( a shoutout to Pragya- thank you for that suggestion). So if the blindfolding fails, lets do that.....
And since there is no point raising a wtf issue without protesting, here is the contact email for one college contact@dayanandgirlspgcollege.org . One could direct some ire there.
I sent this email
"To
The Principal
DGPC College
Kanpur
Dear Madam
I send this letter to you as a concerned woman citizen of India. I recently discovered that your institution instituted a policy banning women students from wearing of jeans and high heels, “to prevent eve teasing” the logic goes. I find it very ironic that an institute that celebrates “enlightened feminism” ( this is from your website http://www.dayanandgirlspgcollege.org/principal.htm) should engage in a classic “Blame the Victim” game. Women do not ever “ask for it”. No matter what they wear or do. Harassment is a crime- with the harasser not the victim being the perpetrator. And an education institution that tries to perpetuate the myth that in the case of sexual harassment it may be the victim’s fault, is not only failing in its duty to its students but to society as a whole. You mention developing “confident women” in your website. It is a noble goal. But restricting women to dress in a particular manner is not going to help them become confident, or even equal. Indian law recognizes women as having the same rights as men. Why, then do you want to abrogate that right and allow anti-social elements the freedom to use their victims as an excuse for the crime. Your policy saddens me as a woman, as an Indian and as a human being. It makes me feel sorry for my sisters who have to follow these almost Talibanical dress codes, to struggle hard just so that they can get an education and become equal contributing citizens of our country. We have long way to go as a nation to achieve perfect equality between the sexes, but policies like your own, only firmly kick us further back in the past. Don’t teach your girls that it is their fault if they are harassed. Don’t give the criminals who harass them free run, don’t let these anti-social elements terrorize our streets. Teach your girls to take a stand, to become the “enlightened feminists” you want them to. I appeal to you as a woman, a citizen and a fellow law abiding human being.
Regards
Alankrita Pandey"
The other colleges are ( still looking for contact emails and things)
Acharya Narendra Deo College,
Sen Balika College
Johari Devi Degree College.
