Letters to the Editor

Sexism is quite common

In Josh Crawford's April 28 letter "Sexism is not so common," he wonders whether a "smaller number of very vocal feminists over-diagnose the situation, often citing sexism when there is none..." You don't have to be a feminist to see widespread sexism. Is sexism not present when women earn 75 cents to every dollar men earn in comparable jobs? What about when women can take leave from a job to care for a baby, but men can't? What about when one in six women (compared to one in 33 men) are sexually assaulted in their lifetime? Or when a draft requires men, not women, to serve their country in the military? Or when a woman is a slut for having multiple sexual partners, and a man is a "player"? These are not sexist exceptions to a healthy society, but evidence of social and institutional sexism that people face every day. The problem is not that sexism is over-diagnosed, but rather under-diagnosed. Sexism affects men and women in startlingly different ways. Feminism does not help women "play the victim" to procure change. It works to encourage everyone to recognize social problems, certainly not limited to sexism, that we encounter on a daily basis, no matter our sex, race, class or other social category. Mr. Crawford, has your behavior never been challenged on the grounds that it does not align with what you are "supposed" to do or think as a man? Most of us, men and women alike, experience sexism nearly every day. I envy you if you don't. The fact that you describe feminism as teaching women to "play the victim" assures me that sexism is still a common problem in our society. I challenge you to take your own advice and "think twice" before deciding that sexism is not so common.

Stephanie Baker Senior Criminology and criminal justice, women's studies

The SGA needs your help

Thanks for you support in the recent Student Government elections. I can't wait to get started hearing your voice and being your advocate! But, it's time to get down to business and begin to improve our community. My goal in office is to improve College Park together. We must be heard in order to address our most pressing issues on the campus. It is my commitment to you to be both the ears and mouth of our amazing and diverse student body. But I need your help. If you are interested, the first step is to apply to be a leader in next years' Student Government Association. You can help the student body be heard by joining the SGA cabinet. The cabinet is a critical part of the SGA. The cabinet is responsible for providing advice to the elected executives and assisting them in executing the objectives of the organization. Available positions include directors of communications, governmental affairs, student groups, programming, marketing and administrative affairs. There are also openings for liaison, committee chair and other associated positions. The application and descriptions outlining the responsibilities of each position are available on the SGA website, www.sga.umd.edu, or by visiting the SGA Office in 0209J in the Student Involvement Suite of the Stamp Student Union. I hope many of you will apply. I hope to hear from you for ideas and feedback. Please feel free to drop by and say hi, after May 6, in the SGA Office or e-mail me at sachs.jonathan@gmail.com. I look forward to a progressive year working on your behalf. Best of luck on the rest of the semester and with your finals.

Jonathan Sachs SGA President-elect

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