Why College Grads Are Wearing Red Tape at Commencements Nationwide

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/activism/why-college-grads-are-wearing-red-tape-commencements-nationwide



n 1999, Columbia University students wore red tape on their wrists and book bags to protest their school’s poor policies and handling of sexual assault cases. Now, Columbia graduates along with seniors from other prestigious institutions nationwide, are bringing back the red tape to voice their disapproval of this same pressing problem. They’re injecting politics into a ceremony usually filled with pomp—their commencements.

In May, No Red Tape, a Columbia student organization pushing for better management of sexual assault cases at their university, wrote an email to graduating seniors encouraging them to take part in the protest:

As you may know, this semester, students have demanded that the University take several important steps to reform a woefully inadequate set of services, policies, and procedures dealing with sexual violence that students face on campus.

Although we have been promised some reforms, there has been no significant change to our level of community safety, to the pain and trauma survivors must endure when they see their perpetrators on campus, to the rape culture that pervades this school.

Organizers encouraged grads to wear red tape on the caps at their commencements, saying it will send a public message to the university’s overseers “that you do not accept your degree lightly, that you understand the culture that they have been complicit in perpetuating, and that you will not stand for it.”

[Exposethefrauds]

1. Boycotting the graduation sends a message red tape not so much, IMHO

15 years of wearing red tape has resulted in bring back the red tape protests and no change in policy.

[Android3.14]

2. I'm sure you feel the same way about the civil rights protests

After all, staying home and not saying a thing is the perfect way to raise awareness.

[Exposethefrauds]

3. So what color tape did people wear back in the day to raise civil rights awearness?

Back in the days of old before the internets, when I was a youth, protests occurred in the streets I don't remember anyone wearing tape or a silly ribbon as a sign of awareness of civil rights.

I guess to the youth of today wearing a ribbon or tape is protest on par with taking to the streets and will have the same impact.

So wear your tape, feel morally superior and sit on your ass and wait for change.

[Android3.14]

4. Perhaps you missed that class

eom

[Exposethefrauds]

6. Must have been too busy in the street protesting, should have thought about wearing tape instead.

[Android3.14]

11. Sure you were

[Exposethefrauds]

12. Shrug, Whatever

[TexasTowelie]

8. I went to a college that required the students to attend commencement ceremonies and any

student that did not attend would not receive the degree so boycotting to express a point was not an option. There were a few exceptions for extenuating circumstances such as accepting an immediate offer for employment, health issues in the family, religious reasons or limitations on visas. Otherwise, the students were required to show up for the commencement ceremony.

[Exposethefrauds]

9. WTF? That is one messed up policy, I did not attend any of my graduations I had better things to

do then play dress up and sit around listing to people prattle on about meaningless and pointless BS.

I just don't see how any school can force someone to attend graduation if they do not want to attend.

Did you go to some place like BJU or Liberty U?

[TexasTowelie]

10. No, I went to Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

It's a small liberal arts, Methodist-affiliated school. They can force you to attend if you want to receive your degree.

FWIW, I fell asleep during the commencement address and was told afterwards by several other students and parents that it was the worst commencement speech that they had ever heard. One of my classmates told me that his parents videotaped the speech if I wanted to watch it again and I declined. It's probably a horrible idea to have commencement at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

[Politicub]

13. So says the arbiter of acceptable protests

Who is sitting comfortably behind a screen while criticizing others' activism.

[Exposethefrauds]

14. Sorry I really don't think wearing tape or ribbons or braclets is activism

I guess if people think it is go for it, it does not hurt anyone.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

15. Neither is being an internet scold. Just sayin'

How do you find the time to even respond to us?

[Exposethefrauds]

16. It is my job

[littlemissmartypants]

5. Good morning!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11384001