So last night we had our annual "Woofest" which for all of you who do not have the joy of going to Vanguard...is basically a time when all the boys dance and sing on stage and try to "woo" the girls. Now this is a tradition that has been around the school for years, and it is something that the boys work really hard to plan. All the girls (and the boys) dress up, and the night begins with a processional where a guy and girl get paired, the guy gives her a rose and walks her to her seat and they take a cheesy, high-school dance photo together (which no one ever sees again...I would like mine with Campus Safety hottie from last year please...).
Girls love it because we get to see (for one night only) that all the boys at Vanguard are not totally retarded and it is actually really funny. BUT last night, some girls decided they did not like being 'wooed' and decided to protest. I am all for freedom of speech and expression, don't get me wrong...but I think there is an appropriate time and place, and right outside the doors for a traditional event that is held every year is NOT the place.
Here are some issues with the protest, and I honestly don't give a crap if you agree with me or not. This is my blog, therefore my opinions.
1. They had their mouths and hands taped like going to Woofest is some freaking slave trade or something. No girl is FORCED to go...if they don't want to they don't have to. I know plenty of girls who think it is dumb and they didn't go...no biggie. But saying that if you go to Woofest you are being SILENCED and CHAINED (or whatever it is they were trying to represent) is a complete exaggeration. Also, if they think it is unfair that only the boys do this, then why don't they try to get equality? Why don't they lobby for a girl "Woofest?" That would make they whole idea completely equal, and neither gender would be left out. The thing is... guaranteed none of the protesters would participate in something like that if it were an event...so they should stop talking about "Unfairness" and "Inequality" unless they are willing to DO SOMETHING about it. It doesn't take a lot to stand there making a scene, it takes a lot to actually act and back up your words with action.
2. They had the word "chauvinistic" on their poster: mind you, the definition of that word is "biased devotion to any group, attitude, or person..." Are they trying to say that it is showing biased devotion to men? Because if they are, I honestly don't think they have ever been to Woofest. Let me be the first to say that the emphasis of the whole night is RESPECTING and CHERISHING women, how is that in any way chauvinistic? The boys never once say that they are superior to the girls or show that girls are lesser than them...they show how much they care about them. I never once felt like boys were putting me down or subconsciously saying they were better than me. I think that before they put a word on poster to protest, they should a) understand what the word REALLY means and b) make sure that the claims they are making are true. Both of which, I feel they did not do.
3. One of my friends actually got the protestor's opinions about the event, and something she said they told her was (and this is paraphrasing...but to the effect of what they were getting at) that they felt like it was unfair because the girls went in and sat down and watched the boys and had to be-quiet...they thought it was a sign of submission. Like I said before, no girl HAS to to go to Woofest. So what I don't understand is how they believe they are justified in judging me or anyone else that CHOOSES to go sit inside and watch this show. We have our rights and if we CHOOSE to do that, then that is our perogative. I think a response to something like this that my friend posed was the fact that we are blinded to the negativity of this event....but let me tell you, I have about 12 friends that are Soc. Majors (aka Leonerd drones ...no offense, that is just a joke, love her) and I have heard a lot about gender roles and all that jazz, and I definitely do not consider myself "blinded" and I still CHOSE to go to Woofest. I just think it's unfair to judge girls who actually like the event and think its funny...calling us "blinded" and casting some negative light on us.
4. This is a totally emotional point but come on, let's be honest here...no girl actually FALLS IN LOVE with any of these boys after the event. It's not like "OH MY GOD I LOVE THAT BOY AFTER SEEING HIM SHAKE HIS BUTT ON STAGE, I AM LITERALLY SOOOO WOO'D RIGHT NOW..." No...it's more like "Wow, those boys are soo ridiculous, and that was really funny." I think the word "Woo" is just a word used for the event, but not something that actually happens in the literal sense. I just find it hard to believe that girls who attend Woofest are secretly being caught up in some social gender scheme to make girls feel lesser in society or on Vanguard's campus.
All in all, I think that it was just dumb to do what they did. The boys worked hard planning this, and especially the RA's. I think that there are other ways they could have gone about making their point without embarrassing people unnecessarily. If they don't want to go, the DON'T GO, but don't stand there like you are so much better than everyone else and judge other people for having fun.
There is my rant. I don't care if you don't like it. I love Woofest. I think it's funny and I am glad it is a tradition. May the "chauvinism" (if that is what they wanna call it) go on forever in my book...
LF
Posts
