[1485] in peace2
GSC, Ashdown and sexual harassment
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Aimee L Smith)
Mon Feb 25 02:13:39 2002
Message-Id: <200202250709.CAA07962@gold.mit.edu>
To: alsmith@MIT.EDU
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 20 Feb 2002 18:02:31 EST."
<Pine.GSO.4.30L.0202201725440.24830-100000@buzzword-bingo.mit.edu>
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Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 02:09:53 -0500
From: Aimee L Smith <alsmith@MIT.EDU>
Last week I sent an email to request that images objectifying women
not be used in a party poster for an event sponsored by Ashdown and
the GSC. While many were respectful of my complaint and interested
in helping to promote a more inclusive environment for all grad-students,
clearly some members of the community reacted to my request with
questioning my emotional stability, my academic capability, and
my right to be at MIT if I do not enjoy being in a male dominated
institution. There was some email back and forth, and finally
there was the charming Letter to the Tech that didn't even address
the flyer that I had complained about and demonstrated no interest
in seeking an advertising strategy that would be inclusive of
all graduate students.
Ronak pointed out that there is a publicity meeting this Tuesday evening
at 5:30pm in the GSC office (50-220) and I encourage all interested parties
to attend and discuss the issue. However, I can't help but point out
that the reaction to my concern will not help others feel encouraged
to express their concerns. I suppose that is exactly the point of telling
someone they are "wrong" to feel harassed and that if they don't like
it, they don't belong here. Nevertheless, I will attend in good faith
and encourage others to do the same, despite the inevitable hostility by
those who seem to think they have the right to determine what is comfortable
and acceptable for everyone else.
I have put up a page on the SCJ site for anyone who missed some of
the dialogue and would like to see what others had to say:
http://web.mit.edu/justice/www/flame.html
In hope,
Aimee L. Smith
To:ashdown-social, gsc-officers, gsc-hca, gsc-hca-chair,peace-list,peace-women
cc:gwg, pro-choice-request,stop-officer,greens-announce, ua-csl
