Dear Marching 110:
First of all, you are awesome. You are one of the things about Ohio University that your fellow Bobcats love to brag about and you are the only reason I have ever attended an OU football game. But it’s because I love you that I am so disappointed in reports that you have been practicing and presumably will be performing Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.”
The song explicitly states that consent is a “blurred line,” and it is this mentality that contributes to the fact that one in four women at OU will be raped during her time here.
Here’s a sampling of the lyrics:
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you’re a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Let’s be clear- there is nothing “blurry” about real, enthusiastic consent. If a woman REALLY does want to have sex with you, she’ll let you know. I promise. Don’t presume that you can “know” someone wants sex, and that her no stems from her being a “good girl” rather than a lack of desire to have sex with you.
Your apparent telepathy is not a substitute for verbal consent to have sex.
Dancing with someone is not a substitute for verbal consent to have sex.
The only real consent is freely given and enthusiastic — it is never the result of assumptions, pressure or force.
Marching 110, please don’t further perpetuate rape culture at OU by playing this triggering, sexist and demeaning piece of drivel. You are so much better than that.
Allie Erwin is a senior studying political science and serves as OU’s Honors Tutorial College student senator.
