2008 Woodie Awards
A gimmick won't help troops
By: GUEST COLUMNIST
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Forum
I'm not entirely sure where to begin, but let me start with the basics: The BGSU College Republicans spent money and time to facilitate an anti-feminist bake sale. They did so under the guise of raising funds for American troops.
I really don't care that it's Conservative Week - as far as I'm concerned, most weeks can be designated as such in this country, at least for the past seven years or so.
What really gets to me is that the College Republicans used their resources to ultimately raise very little funds for the troops.
The group knowingly staged a "shocking" event on campus. If they wanted their organization in The BG News, well, mission accomplished.
It seems to me that if their objective was to support the troops, they did a poor job. My brother was stationed in Baghdad for a year. What were the highlights of his time over there? The mail and packages he received from family, friends and strangers alike.
If the College Republicans really want to support the troops, they should use their resources wisely. Throwing an anti-feminist bake sale doesn't seem like the wisest or most efficient choice.
Troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan could do much more with items such as phone cards, beef jerky (and that coming from a feminist who is also a vegetarian! Egadz!) and ready-to-use drink mixes to add to their less-than-tasty drinking water.
So, College Republicans, instead of misrepresenting feminism and staging a "shocking" campus event, why don't you, as an organization, better use your energies?
Bottom line: If your group is concerned with the livelihood of the American troops stationed in various parts of the world, why don't you better think through your fund-raising activities? Perhaps the cookies you were peddling in the name of gender inequality were tasty, but after reading the article by Tim Sampson, I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth.
I think it's fair to say that the anti-feminist bake sale wasn't a major triumph. Perhaps the College Republicans could obtain lists of Ohio soldiers stationed abroad. Next, the group could focus fund-raising efforts in a professional and respectful manner, and start sending soldiers items that would brighten their days on so many levels.
Their anti-feminist bake sale seems transparent, at least to me.
This feminist has no problem with women who make the decision to stay at home. From my perspective, feminism is all about choice - the choice to vote, the choice to get a college degree, the choice to have children or not, etc. Crazy feminists, we even think that we deserve equal pay!
If the College Republicans invested half of the energy they clearly possess to create events that would actually help the troops, even this non-Republican feminist would be willing to contribute. Until then, however, I and many other men and women of this campus, will continue to support the groups and causes that go about their goals in a professional manner.
So, College Republicans, what's the next shock-and-awe event? Do what you want - but don't be so cheap and cowardly that you hide behind "supporting our troops."
The troops are real people who don't deserve their experiences to be cheapened by your purposely shocking actions. Maybe you don't see it that way, but I sure do.
Christina Stefanik is a graduate student studying Political science and German.
I really don't care that it's Conservative Week - as far as I'm concerned, most weeks can be designated as such in this country, at least for the past seven years or so.
What really gets to me is that the College Republicans used their resources to ultimately raise very little funds for the troops.
The group knowingly staged a "shocking" event on campus. If they wanted their organization in The BG News, well, mission accomplished.
It seems to me that if their objective was to support the troops, they did a poor job. My brother was stationed in Baghdad for a year. What were the highlights of his time over there? The mail and packages he received from family, friends and strangers alike.
If the College Republicans really want to support the troops, they should use their resources wisely. Throwing an anti-feminist bake sale doesn't seem like the wisest or most efficient choice.
Troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan could do much more with items such as phone cards, beef jerky (and that coming from a feminist who is also a vegetarian! Egadz!) and ready-to-use drink mixes to add to their less-than-tasty drinking water.
So, College Republicans, instead of misrepresenting feminism and staging a "shocking" campus event, why don't you, as an organization, better use your energies?
Bottom line: If your group is concerned with the livelihood of the American troops stationed in various parts of the world, why don't you better think through your fund-raising activities? Perhaps the cookies you were peddling in the name of gender inequality were tasty, but after reading the article by Tim Sampson, I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth.
I think it's fair to say that the anti-feminist bake sale wasn't a major triumph. Perhaps the College Republicans could obtain lists of Ohio soldiers stationed abroad. Next, the group could focus fund-raising efforts in a professional and respectful manner, and start sending soldiers items that would brighten their days on so many levels.
Their anti-feminist bake sale seems transparent, at least to me.
This feminist has no problem with women who make the decision to stay at home. From my perspective, feminism is all about choice - the choice to vote, the choice to get a college degree, the choice to have children or not, etc. Crazy feminists, we even think that we deserve equal pay!
If the College Republicans invested half of the energy they clearly possess to create events that would actually help the troops, even this non-Republican feminist would be willing to contribute. Until then, however, I and many other men and women of this campus, will continue to support the groups and causes that go about their goals in a professional manner.
So, College Republicans, what's the next shock-and-awe event? Do what you want - but don't be so cheap and cowardly that you hide behind "supporting our troops."
The troops are real people who don't deserve their experiences to be cheapened by your purposely shocking actions. Maybe you don't see it that way, but I sure do.
Christina Stefanik is a graduate student studying Political science and German.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
thanks
posted 4/16/08 @ 1:35 PM EST
Actually we planned the event and later picked the organization we decided to donate the money to. Were they parallel? Not really, but who cares? It's still money for members of the military and their families. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 4/16/08 @ 6:11 PM EST
I agree with the person who wrote this response piece. Even if, as "thanks" said, the Republicans raised $28, I can't believe that a bunch of people in the group sat down to figure out a fundraising event and someone actually said "let's have an anti-feminist bake sale" and then OTHER PEOPLE AGREED!! That is CRAZY! I can't imagine sitting at a meeting and an idea as ridiculous as that being taken seriously. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 4/18/08 @ 1:17 PM EST
I found this article the most absolutely sickening of all of them. Sticking up for the troops only when it comes out of standing up for your feminist ideals is hardly genuine. (Continued…)
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