Sexism is a sticky issue college students hear about in the classroom and the news. While the sad reality of sexism's existence is a force to be reckoned with, it is a discussion not many are willing to address outside our Women's and Gender Studies classrooms.
As rule, we've heeded the wise words of the Beastie Boys and nothing will stop the party. Not finals week, policemen on horses or noise control ordinances. But what about when sexism strolls into the bar?
In July, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed a gender discrimination suit against five Minnesota bars. The discriminatory offense? Promoting events where female customers are offered a discount on drinks. These events (commonly referred to as Ladies' Night) are marketing strategies used to boost sales, not to hurt poor boys' feelings.
Despite all the attention the courts are paying it, a similar situation plays out in Athens every Tuesday at The Pub and every Thursday at Tony's Tavern and Pawpurr's.
But even on a smaller house-party scale, everyone knows how simple it is to drink for free at house parties. It's an easy two-step process. One: Be a girl. Two: Rid yourself of any extraneous male baggage.
We all know that guys offer girls free beer in hopes that their standards will drop as their BAC rises. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says giving free Natty to just the girls would be gender-based discrimination. Does that mean the solution is free beer for all? That sounds like one party under gender equality.
Are events like Ladies' Night discriminatory to men? Maybe. By saying, Yes please! to that free can of Natty are you tearing down advances the feminist foremothers made? Absolutely not, but I think the answer does lie somewhere between the two extremes.
In matters of great distress I refer to someone smarter than I am. In this case, I turn to Lady Gaga, who said, I'm a free bitch
baby!
- Callie Driehorst is a sophomore studying journalism. If you have a gripe about Ladies' Nights, send it to her at cd234008@ohiou.edu.
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Culture
Callie Driehorst
