Notre Dame girls don't deserve criticism
Mary Henrick
senior
I have had enough, and it's time I spoke up about it. I am writing this letter in a state of wounded rage, inspired by the actions of the biggest drunken jerk I have been unfortunate enough to encounter. Thank you, drunken jerk, for ruining one of the few remaining football games I will attend as a student. You may not remember your hurtful remarks, but I will. You were, so to speak, the straw that broke the camel's back.
This is a letter to all the arrogant, conceited boys — and I use the word "boys" intentionally — who have treated the beautiful and intelligent women of Notre Dame with disdain and who have publicly assaulted their self-esteem. For those of you who are gentlemen, and most of you are, I'm not addressing you.
We women of Notre Dame have endured years of being called ugly and now I think it's time you boys got a reality check. If the ladies that I live with and learn beside are what you consider ugly, then either your standards are completely and utterly unrealistic, or I no longer mind being called ugly. And while, as a whole, the male population of Notre Dame is attractive, your personalities more than make up for any God-given gifts. We may appreciate a handsome face, but it's not going to win our hearts, boys.
I don't believe you boys could have chosen a more hurtful or destructive insult. Women are already constantly bombarded from all directions with the pressure to look perfect at all times. It has come to the point that many girls starve themselves, work out compulsively and exist in a constant state of self-consciousness.
Look around you. Do you think girls are that thin without effort? I don't blame you for these problems, but you certainly aren't helping anyone. I know we are intimidating, with our intelligence, athleticism and ability, but congratulations boys, you've found our Achilles heel. Why do I call you boys? Because real men would not pick women as the easy targets of your cruel and might I say, at this point, terribly unoriginal jokes.
And while I'm addressing this pathetic excuse for humor, I would like to say, "Saint Mary's, I feel for you." Whatever blows we've received, you've had it ten times worse. Here's a clue, boys. That joke got old a long time ago. The real men on Notre Dame's campus are the ones who can appreciate all that we've brought to this school, the ones who aren't intimidated by an intelligent, ambitious woman, the ones who don't use alcohol as an excuse for ungentlemanly behavior and the ones who stick up for us ladies when imbeciles like you put us down. We are half of what makes this school great. What are you saying about Notre Dame when you personally insult half the student population?
I can take a joke, honestly. But enough is enough. I know that many of you will just dismiss me as the ugliest of the bunch, and this scathing letter will only lead you to add another derogatory adjective to the lot. I don't deserve that. I don't deserve a drunken jerk falling all over me at the football game and insulting me either. But most of all, we don't deserve your criticism. If we aren't pretty enough for you, that's fine. You boys aren't good enough for us anyway.
Mary Henrick
senior
Pangborn Hall
Sept. 14
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, September 16, 2002
