Thursday, March 12th 2009

By katrina bernal

Is it chauvinist to want openness? No. Is it chauvinist to deny the needs of others?Yes! This is a response to Adam Owen’s article in the previous issue of the Sil regarding the referendum on the implementation of a Women’s Center at Mac. 

It’s kind of funny how you state yourself as a (white) straight man and then so rightfully declare, “I do not feel that McMaster needs a Women’s Center.” No Adam, you wouldn’t. Seeing as you fit so perfectly into the category of people who are always placed at an advantage in this society. If you weren’t aware, every place on campus is a Man’s Center! 

Regardless of the details, or lack thereof, of the proposed Women’s Center, the concept is to establish a safe place for women and trans people. One that would not only provide a gathering space, free support, referrals and resources but promote community involvement, activism and awareness for issues that affect our campus and our society as a whole. Simply because you would not directly benefit from this center does not mean it is not a necessary and worthwhile endeavor. 

I agree, we as a student body are one group, represented by one union. But that is not to assume that collectively we have the same feelings, needs or experiences. To squeeze us into one category is to deny the differences of our experiences of gender, race, class or ability. Claiming that we are stronger as an undivided group is to reduce the diversity of our community to the usual dominant, straight, white, male experience. The ones who suffer are those that don’t fit so nicely into that category. 

What the center does not intend to do is segregate the McMaster community but merely establish a place for those who already feel segregated to find a sense of commonality and understanding. If this to you is in blatant disagreement with what a student’s union is then maybe you have never heard of the concept of “taking one for the team.” In contrast, for me, this is exactly what a student’s union is about, addressing the needs of students, especially those who don’t swim with the mainstream.  

It is easy for you to say that these issues are ones that can and should be discussed in an open forum. And certainly they are, but having never experienced that kind of violence or injustice, can you say you would so easily and openly discuss those experiences? You even mention extreme examples such as rape and abortion, without even considering that this is the very reality of many women. Yes, even those that attend McMaster University. 

 And frankly, to feel uncomfortable about discussing an abortion is not to betray every girl who ever had one, but a normal and warranted response given the negative stigmas associated with it. Contrary to what you may think, a Women’s Center is not about a bunch of girls huddled in isolation, whispering about rape and abortion, but a place for women to gain the acceptance and empowerment needed in order to discuss these issues openly. 

The fact that McMaster University is one of the few universities to not already have a Women’s Center speaks volumes. The fact that this referendum is being pushed forward without a concrete plan from the administration can only be interpreted as an insincere and futile attempt on behalf of the MSU to raise this issue. The fact that the response of the public is either unnecessary or indifferent only proves how far we are from working towards a more inclusive and tolerant McMaster community. 

Finally Adam, I agree that these are issues that need to be confronted head on in order to make the world a better place, but without a Women’s Center at Mac, who do you expect to bring these issues to the table?