There has been a lot of recent press and discussion concerning the Sexual Assault Awareness and Consent Campaign initiated by a group of students intent on educating the Class of 2005 about issues of consent. Frankly, my reaction to both The Dartmouth's Summer Editorial Board's July 25 response and the "Roomies" cartoon of July 29 by Kevin Pedersen on this topic was instinctively negative. Pedersen's comic, of course, was the more shocking of the two, and my objections to his work are probably clear. To think that anyone on this campus could have viewed the strip as anything but insensitive and offensive is beyond my comprehension.
As far as the Editorial Board's response to the project, I have more tangible complaints. Although I understand the main message of the article, I would hold that any comparison between the consent project and the social norms campaign is unjust and misguided. I have heard protests to the social norms campaign as a project handed down from an out-of-touch administration to a skeptical student body. Whether or not that depiction is valid, it is obvious that the consent program is of an entirely different nature. The T-shirt project originated from students themselves and has been funded almost entirely by an unprecedented commitment by student groups. Not only do student groups support the initiative, but many of our peers have donated time to ensure its success.
The article also claims that "the danger is that the T-shirts will become a campus-wide joke," but this argument neglects to understand the entire design of the consent campaign. From the start, the project aimed to create uproar and dialogue on campus, and the irony of the aforementioned criticisms is that the very articles meant to predict the program's potential failure, have in truth already promoted its success!
Discussion about issues surrounding consensual sex can prevent instances of sexual violence from remaining hidden under the 'that-could-never-happen-here' sentiment typical in a small college town. In fact, widespread response and criticism of Pedersen's comic has hopefully proved to the Dartmouth staff that students will not allow this issue to become another campus joke. Perhaps this project will have to convince one person at a time, and perhaps it will take many distasteful comments before everyone comes to agreement about the values of our community. Still, for those of us who care deeply about this issue, we must take the responsibility to confront our peers, community members, and families about our values.
As Student Assembly Summer President, I cannot think of a single project more deserving of SA funding. In fact, I view this project as the most promising attempt at the proactive prevention of hate crimes that I have come across in my time at Dartmouth. The students who have worked so hard on this project certainly have my full support and deserve your praise.
Even if you are someone who giggled at Pedersen's comic strip or shook your head in disapproval as Student Assembly gave money to spread "peachy propaganda," please still consider coming to Webster Ave. tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome because this project is all about dialogue, and in order to create meaningful change, we need to explore our differences in opinion. I am confident that the consent campaign will encourage our community to better understand what actions and statements are acceptable on our campus, and this project can help us set limits and goals for what we want Dartmouth to become.
Support the cause and get your weekend started off right by coming to the BBQ, listening to some good music, and throwing on a "Consensual Sex is Hot" T-shirt!
