MARTINEZ'S 'ARROWS' MISS THE MARK
EXCERPTS FROM MORE LETTERS
We live with these guys for four years. We eat with them, attend classes with them, study with them, go to parties with them and form relationships with them. Roughly 65 percent of us typically marry these men after we graduate. How are we to know which of them support sexist and misogynist ideas when many of us remain unaware of the undercurrent of sexism and misogyny that has traditionally plagued our campus? Gabriel Martinez's column greatly concerns me in this respect because of its insistence upon only seeing and labeling women either as saints or as whores. This kind of thinking contributes to the culture of rape, sexism, and misogyny which has traditionally been espoused by peoples all over the world.
Blaming women for "the pig's" sexism and misogyny simply represents a way of skirting the real issue at stake here — that people set limits and restrictions on women's sexuality in response to our culture's traditional espousal of sexism and misogyny.
Stephanie André
Junior, Farley Hall
Mr. Martinez has latched onto the misperceived notion that these "easy" women are responsible not only for their actions but somehow responsible for the actions of any men who may gaze upon them. The issue here is one of blame. To classify a woman because of the way she acts and dresses is ignorant. To lay blame of this classification upon the shoulders of women surpasses the realm of ignorance to that of stupidity. The problem lies not with "easy" women, but with men, like Mr. Martinez, and their arrogant belief that they can classify women based on "signs."
Christopher Reyes
Senior, Off Campus
This is the most offensive column I have ever read in The Observer.
Roshin Sen
Graduate student, department of sociology
Mr. Martinez's idea that women need to prove that they deserve respect through appropriate attire and actions is extremely dangerous. It is precisely this attitude that has justified rape on the basis that a woman dressed provocatively. Urging women to dress and act "properly" does not protect them — it victimizes them, and most tragically it excuses the "pig-like" behavior that Mr. Martinez describes. Women of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's and Holy Cross: don't accept Mr. Martinez's invitation to imitate his sisters. Instead, continue to be the independent, intelligent and highly motivated women that you are. The right to basic human respect is already yours, no matter what you are wearing.
Katie Koch
Sophomore, Cavanaugh Hall
Believe it or not, women are not solely preoccupied with finding a mate for marriage. Furthermore, Martinez shortchanges the male gender by portraying them as incapable of controlling their own sexual drives. Are men really so weak that they succumb to every temptation — even those that relate to unworthy, immoral, slutty women? Instead of unduly placing all responsibility on women to remain "worthwhile" and holy, why not focus some attention on correcting male "pig" immorality? Mr. Martinez, please do not aim to reform all pigs into your "good guys," though. The last thing we need is more arrogant, self-righteous individuals like yourself.
The Residents of 819 East Washington Street
Seniors, Off Campus
Mr. Martinez, get real. Grow up. Talk to some educated, mature women and realize that a woman dressing or acting in a certain manner is never a justification for men acting like "pigs." I think it's more "piggish" to try to make excuses for them at all! A man is always responsible for the way he perceives someone no matter what, just as a woman is. Don't put these ideas into other immature males' minds in the future and add more ignorance to the world.
Melanie Peldo
Graduate student, department of chemistry
Perhaps Mr. Martinez would prefer a return to the fashions of 100 years ago with women completely covered from the neck down. Or perhaps he prefers the burkhas that the women of Afghanistan are required to wear? I suspect Martinez is a pig of another kind — a sexist pig.
T. Piatt
ND Class of '95
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, December 6, 1999
