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Coming Soon: Crusader-Free Hours in Harvard Square!
Okay, maybe I'm only posting this because we're playing Harvard in basketball this Friday night... but Harvard's gym is now off-limits to men for six hours per week in order to accommodate Muslim students who want "women-only hours." Judging by their won-loss record, I guess those were the six hours that used to be the time reserved for the men's basketball team practice.
But in all seriousness, are they kidding? Imagine if an Evangelical Christian group or an Orthodox Jewish group of women demanded the same courtesy at Harvard or Columbia... believe me, they would be laughed out of town.
Funny that these kind of accommodations can be made, but we can't get a postseason bball tournament or a playoff game for football.
Priorities.
posted by Jake @ 4:19:00 AM
19 comments
19 Comments:
political correctness gone crazy
calm down Jake!
Are you sure they wouldn't get their wish at Columbia? Don't be surprised to see this happen at other schools. I wonder too what the actual headcount of muslim women will be in the gym. I mean do you have to make these accomodations for five or more. Do we need to build facilities with hours bracketed off for every faction in the student body?
Actually, there already are all-women hours at a gym at Columbia...the one in the basement of Barnard Hall. I believe they also have all-women's swim hours at the Barnard pool as well.
It's not merely political correctness gone crazy, it's submission to despotic bullying and blackmail gone crazy.
Why all this toadying to one religion when government and
education are trying to destroy others such as, merely, the religion of most Americans, dare we say the word: Christianity. Or
when the Mormon Christian faith of
a Presidential candidate is slandered by other candidates and nobody raises an eyebrow?
Where are the footbaths at Harvard, and whom do I sue if I slip, the King of Saudi Arabia?
As for the character who told Jake to calm down, he should wise up.
The invasion is on and certain people pretend not to notice.
I don't that when Barnard, an all-women's school, institutes women-only hours in its own gym that it's in any way comparable to what Harvard has done.
http://www.dotsub.com/films/moredemands/index.php?autostart=true&language_setting=en_1618
Well, it certainly is ridiculous. Yet another example of the craven "culture of grievance" syndrome running wild in America today. (Though my own personal favorite still remains the states which allow fully veiled women to remain so on their drivers' license photos.)
rs
I agree--calm down, Jake. I wouldn't have voted for the policy, but it's well within the norms of American life. I find your headline quite a bit more offensive and xenophobic than the wish of some women to exercise without men present.
Do you think Columbia should not allow some dorm floors to be all female?
Leonidas
Leonidas:
You can disagree with what I've written, but when people come into our communities and tell us that WE'RE unacceptable, (which is what is happening here, make no mistake), then to call ME the xenophobe is a preverse and obscene thing to do. I welcome all immigrants of all faiths and cultures... but they cannot dictate how the pluralist society acts.
As far as single-sex dorm floors are concerned, I am not a huge fan. As long as each suite or shared dorm room with a bathroom is single sex, I see no difference between "co-ed" dorms and apartment buildings. In dorms where there are communal showers, however, I understand the need for single-sex bathrooms and even floors in some instances. But that is not for cultural or religious reasons, it's for basic privacy and decency.
Can't tell if last comment is anonymous or signed by Leonidas (has both) but it exposes the mental illness or is it just cowardice that grips the USA, when a complaint about true xenophobia is answered by charging the victims with xenophobia!
In America, we all accommodate each other in a friendly and generous manner. We accommodate every race, religion, ethnicity,
language, custom known to mankind
in a spirit of humanity and UNITY (NOT 'diversity" that much abused and exploited word.)
What we do NOT do is enslave ourselves to any one of the above.
When I was an editorial columnist for the Spectator in 1991-92, I wrote a piece called "Multiculturalism Needs a Purpose." The point was that diversity just for diversity's sake is not a goal worth achieving. Rather diversity is good when we can all recognize that despite our diverse religions, cultures, etc. etc. we all believe in some basic rules for humanity, (some call them "morals").
I regret that we have started this politically charged thread, but honestly... I don't think Jake should calm down at all... but I am worried that the PC folk at CU might resent his opinions...
Let's remember that Muslim society oppresses women - let's check the civil rights of women in those countries. OOPS, THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS.And we should accomodate their sexist & repressive policies?
Might be a nice break for the Muslim women, after being persecuted by the authorities if they are raped, to use the Harvard gym without men!
I think it is a sad reflection of Harvard's policies and viewpoints.
My thoughts exactly. I am appalled at stories like this precisely because I am a huge proponent of civil rights, women's rights, gay rights, etc. I cannot understand why the same people who clamored for these causes are so willing to accommodate those who defy these innovations at every turn.
Can you imagine if one of the men's sports teams asked that all women leave the gym during team meetings or informal practices? Geez, there would be a riot.
It's hard to make this up--although only a small symptom of a larger societal illness, this gym policy that benefits a SMALL MINORITY at the expense of others- especially a minority who's fundamental teachings are ultra-intolerant (homophobic, anit-feminists, etc)-is hard to swallow. Imagine if a group of Mormons, another religious and culturally conservative group, wanted the same special Gym times--I guess the Harvard administration wouldnt be so "sophisticated and open minded" in granting such a policy,and would most likely politely deny such a request,in their wisdom to encourage "fairness". What weaklings!
I just want to know what you were doing up at 4:50 AM Jake :)
It's just one of the gyms on campus, the smallest one (at the edge of the campus) used only for intramurals, and restricted hours are 8-10 am one morning a week and 3-5 pm two afternoons a week. No big deal, really, give it a rest (and I'm no Muslim).
Agree to let it go, but it is yet another example of a double standard--only certain causes or groups are deemed worthy of special deals...conservatives or christians need not apply.
It's not as likely that conservative or Christian women would require separate facilities.
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