Letters to the Editor

3/19/09 7:00pm

"Com(MAN)d" slogan misinterpreted

To the Editor: I'd like to comment on last issue's opinion piece ("MRC's 'COM(MAN)D' T-shirt slogan incites sexist views," March 13). The view that exalting the trait "command" is sexist seems more based on heavy assumption than rational thought. The interpersonal relationships between men - bear in mind that this is a club for the advocacy of male bonding and understanding - are often borne of playful machismo, earned respect and competition. That "command" would be a trait viewed highly among men or women is not a surprise, nor is it to be considered repressive.

Some find the concept of "command" to be uplifting, and intertwined with leadership and warranted respect. It takes a lot of assumptions to interpret all "command" as unwanted, forceful and somehow anti-female. It is worth considering that the interpretation of the word in terms of enslavement, force or gender may simply be an issue of context.

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The Hanszen Men's Resource Center is a positive and successful part of Hanszen College. The committee has provided men and women of our college with paintball retreats, guest speakers and a number of charitable events including the now-annual MRC run for prostate cancer awareness. The T-shirts were made as a snarky throwback to the Product Red campaign and the words were picked by popular vote of our college, not by any backroom chauvinism. "(MAN)GO" does not suggest than men may only eat mangoes, but if I look hard enough, I'll find that message.

Women can command, men can command and my cat commands that I feed him by stepping on my keyboard while I write essays. Nobody at the MRC meant any disrespect towards women, and that kind of disrespect would be ultimately against the ideals of male sexuality and behavior the MRC tries to espouse. I am aware that sexism is unfortunately alive and pervasive, but it is certainly not tolerated in the Hanszen community or by the MRC.

Erol Bakkalbasi

Hanszen College President

MRC T-shirt sends the right message

To the Editor:

I was disappointed by the narrow perspective in last week's Thresher opinion piece, "MRC's 'COM(MAN)D' T-shirt slogan incites sexist views." Author Jennifer Luo's attack on the "COM(MAN)D" T-shirt seems hasty and forced, like in a third grade locker room, when everyone laughs at the word "pianist." Anything can be fodder for controversy, if controversy is what you're listening for.

I think Luo misunderstands the intended message of the "COM(MAN)D" slogan. (Perhaps not all the T-shirt designs are intended, as the article suggests, to be merely witty or enticing.) Consider a more classic idea of the word: "control or restrain, of oneself or one's feelings."

Profits from the Hu(man)ity campaign support Houston's Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, the mission of which is "to empower boys to become responsible men and productive members of their families and communities." Participants are taught "to value education, delay gratification, view life as sacred and set responsible priorities." Additionally, they learn "the importance of respect and communication in their relationships with others, specifically women."

The MRC's Hu(man)ity outreach encourages Houston's underprivileged young men - indeed, men everywhere - to command themselves. To command their lives. To command the respect of their peers. That is a message that everyone - male and female - should wholeheartedly support.

Michael Rog

Will Rice College junior

Mystifying Tree House overdue

To the Editor:

Spring is the time of new beginnings. Of births and blossoms and, yes, a fanciful Rice institution called the Tree House. This elusive, magical spot has been the location of many fateful encounters; many a lazy hour has been wiled away there in procrastination and joyful revelry. It is an area of serenity within a hectic life; it is a bubble of brightness during the long, dark hours of studying; it is a whimsical hideout in our all-too-logical society. Even its creation speaks to its qualities as mysterious and out of the ordinary; every year a group of unknown architecture students erect the Tree House without prior warning. One day the Rice population walks by the quad unaware and the next - bam! - the Tree House, overnight, has materialized.

The Tree House is one of the best parts of spring at Rice and, as of yet, it has not appeared to lend its shade and marvel to the Rice community. And so I ask - nay, I implore - the mysterious architecture students who grace us with their mysterious Tree House: Where is this marvelous creation? Please, if ever you were spontaneous, if ever you believed in ridiculousness and a return to childhood, put up the Tree House!

Julia Lukomnik

Baker College junior

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