University of Western Rapists Ontario

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU SEND ME A MESSAGE:

I've received a few messages telling me to "stop the slander of UWO." There's many things I could say to this, but I'll say just one.

I'm keeping this video live because it's important to remember that these things happened. To me, videos are part-activism, part-archive of a what I feel is a crucial feminist struggle, one that garnered the feminist community at UWO both overwhelmingly positive national and international attentions. Moreover, it brought the very urgent (but usually ignored) issue of rape culture on university campuses to the front-and-centre.

And, given that we hardly ever learn about feminism in school, let alone any feminist successes, I think it's pretty neat if I can document at least a part of it on YouTube.

Also, I would like to acknowledge the wow-I-think-maybe-he-means-it-this-time-or-maybe-he-is-covering-his-ass apology issued by Ian Van Den Hurk.

From Ian Van Den Hurk, Editor-in-Chief:
"I wish to formally apologize for hurting Western students, the University Students' Council, The University of Western Ontario and members of the greater community... While the issue was not written with malicious intent toward any individuals or groups, nor the reputations of either the University of Western Ontario or the University Student's Council, I fully understand and recognize the pain it has caused. I am truly sorry."

UWO student paper, The Gazette, makes light of rape, feminists, and police brutality all in one grossly ignorant spoof story. Read more about it at www.rabble.ca or at http://soapboxspinster.blogspot.com/

As the wise women from the Miss G___ project have written:

"In the March 30 'Spoof Issue,' in which,
intentionally or not, The Gazette did make a joke about rape -- the (still shamefully anonymous) author joked that a student, who is very clearly a student at this school (Jenna Owsianik), would enjoy being raped at a Take Back the Night March. It did -- we read it. In fact, a lot of people read it. Including Jenna Owsianik, who's right to live, work and study in a environment free from harassment (sexual and otherwise) was taken away from her on March 30 with The Gazette's choice to publish this article. And for The Gazette to stand by its 'get over yourselves' response is not only disrespectful; it's appalling."


AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARTICLE:
"How dare you act like you know what I have to say," the vagina screamed down Richmond Row.

"You don't know me, bee-otch," it squealed. "You can't even see me through all this hair you've let over-grow. Think of me. I can't even breathe down here!"

Upon seeing the chaos, London Police Chief Murray Faulkner stopped greasing his nightstick and intervened.

He grabbed the loudspeaker from Ostrich's wild vagina and took it into a dark alley to teach it a lesson.

To Ostrich's dismay, the vagina followed, giggling as it said, "I love it when a man in uniform takes control."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• feminism
• UWO
• Gazette
• rape
• protest

[ashfordwebb]

um, no comments here, but 1100 views? here's a comment: of all the women in my life (friends, family, lovers) i can count on one hand how many were NOT raped or sexually abused. simple punishment for rapists: castration. period. i know this has little to do with this video, but someone needs to show these victims the empathy and respect they deserve.

[RadicalFeminist]

hey there,

most of the comments were sexist, hateful and disgusting, so i chose not to allow them. but then i didn't want to just post accolades. but thanks for your comment.

[BellaxStrega]

Awesome analysis. I somehow missed this story. Thank you for posting this.

What song is this??? I must have it!

[SuGaRuSh14]

Wow. This is terrible and has completely changed my idea of Western - I was a prospective student but the fact that so many people are giving the "thumbs down" to this vid makes it a place that I'd never want to study at.

However, mate, it's not good by calling yourself a "radical feminist". "Radical" is percieved as u have more of a point to prove about urself than the issue.

I always knew Canada was a male dominated society - but u people are sick. You wouldn't find this in the UK. SICK.

[jennaow]

lol -- just saw that my comment was rated a thumbs down. The video is simply a documentation of what happened - ironic how some individuals would like certain truths and histories suppressed.

[rowsdowersavesus]

Wow. In-fucking-sane that that was published

[jennaow]

i love whoever made this

[CreativeImpulse]

Hmm, I can see this Van Den Hurk dude tried making a joke that backfired in his face.

Good video, keep your spirits up!

[RadicalFeminist]

hey, thanks. it's staggering, how violent and hateful some dudes have been.

youtube is like a grosser version of real life, where all the angry guys get a chance to spout the hate speech they wouldn't dare say aloud. which, if they only knew, adds to the motivation to resist! yea!

[ashfordwebb]

that's something that disturbs me about the internet to no end: abusive anonymity (sp?). a person will post videos wearing their heart on their sleeve, and total strangers will get their kicks on tearing said person's life apart. and sadly, it's more common than not.