2008 Woodie Awards
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Cheerleader-in-a-garbage-can stunt is reprehensible in today's world
Letter to the editor
I have attended several of this year's football and basketball games. However, I was very disturbed by something that I saw committed Saturday at the Oregon/Arizona basketball game. I have seen the Duck mascot use the "Noise Machine" to excite the crowd in the past. However, this time the Duck played with the crowd by having the noise machine lid move on its own. At the end of the display a female cheerleader popped out of the noise machine, which is a garbage bin. The Duck then pushed her head back down, closed the lid and wheeled her off the court in the glorified garbage dumpster.
I realize it was supposed to be funny, but putting women in garbage cans like trash is not funny. When sexual assault is such a prevalent problem on college campuses across the U.S., it seems incredibly inappropriate to have an official University representative devalue women in such a blatant, disrespectful manner. These types of subconscious messages should be taken very seriously and the University should not tolerate a mascot who has repeatedly embarrassed the campus by beating up other mascots, humping the head of other mascots, groping cheerleaders and placing women in trash cans.
Autumn Johnson
University Law student
I realize it was supposed to be funny, but putting women in garbage cans like trash is not funny. When sexual assault is such a prevalent problem on college campuses across the U.S., it seems incredibly inappropriate to have an official University representative devalue women in such a blatant, disrespectful manner. These types of subconscious messages should be taken very seriously and the University should not tolerate a mascot who has repeatedly embarrassed the campus by beating up other mascots, humping the head of other mascots, groping cheerleaders and placing women in trash cans.
Autumn Johnson
University Law student
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 12
Roberto
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:17 AM PST
Oh my good lord. You surely must live a very humorless life. Making the jump from a cheerleader in a noise machine to sexual assault is almost beyond belief. (Continued…)
Get Over Yourself!
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:15 PM PST
Good lord... People these days will turn anything into a crying cause against humanity, race, sex, or anything! Get over it. If she didn't want to be in the trash can she wouldn't have. (Continued…)
Allison
Allison
posted 3/11/08 @ 9:38 PM PST
I am shocked, but not surprised, to hear about this stunt.
In a society that supports the cultural myth that sexism isn't a problem, that patriarchal violence isn't a reality, and frequently ignores, dismisses, or minimizes the fact that women are harassed, assaulted, and belittled every single day, a stunt like this really doesn't surprise me. (Continued…)
Lizzy
posted 3/12/08 @ 7:09 AM PST
Wow. I'm a girl in today's society and I found nothing offensive about that stunt. To me, it was good light-hearted fun.
And it's not a trash bin, it's a noise machine. (Continued…)
Katie
posted 3/12/08 @ 7:56 AM PST
Anyone who has lived in Oregon long enough, would know that that is not a garage can that is used for the "Noise Machine', but rather it is a recycling container. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 3/12/08 @ 9:52 AM PST
You're crying over lame shit like this when there are parts of Eugene such as my hood where there are drug dealers, gun and knife violence, and tagging. (Continued…)
Michael
posted 3/12/08 @ 2:19 PM PST
Women these days don't know their role in life. Get back in the kitchen and start baking. You obviously don't belong in law school. Hilarious article. (Continued…)
Autumn
posted 3/12/08 @ 5:54 PM PST
Tim,
The U of O does have a Men's Center. They are on the first floor of the EMU. I know they have weekly groups. I am also sure that they could help you find other men's groups in the community. (Continued…)
raQuel
Responsibility
posted 3/13/08 @ 6:39 PM PST
I think you think you're funny. So, in the spirit of your jest:
Learn how to do something for yourself.
Otherwise, you may starve.
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