Let me begin by saying something. I don't mind freshmen. As a matter of fact, I would say I rather like them. I know a good number of young men from my high school who came to Boston College this year, and let's be honest boys, the freshman girls this year ... wow. Don't worry; I'm in a committed relationship. The point is, I don't mind freshmen and consider them an integral part of the BC family. Just the other day, I saw a few Newtonites ordering their first steak and cheese from Lower. Glorious!
OK, let's move on. So game day rolls around, and suddenly, I'm wearing the same shirt as everybody else. Usually, I would cry, run home, and change, but game day is a special time. It's a chance for us all to unite under a common banner and proudly cheer on our combating comrades. As the Eagles duke it out on the field - great win this weekend by the way - we don't mind cheering, moving, and dressing in unison. It's what being part of a team, on or off the field, is all about.
Nevertheless, in America, we as a nation and culture are stuck on the notion of individuality; many of our exchange students have mentioned this to me (also picked this up in my classes on Chinese philosophy). Not a big deal, and again to the modifications we go. Some of the ladies here at BC enjoy modifying the Superfan shirt. Now, I am a fan. I like the creativity. Some take it too far perhaps, and I often wonder if they plan to wear these shirts to BC games as 30-some-odd-year-old alumnae. Probably not, but I saw something especially heinous this weekend - and no, not on a girl, but on a guy.
I am struggling to maintain my journalistic integrity by not calling this SOB exactly what he was. I will let you decide. There is a controversial term that is sometimes used for a female sexual organ. It rhymes with hunt. If you don't know what I'm talking about, ask someone. This young man, if we can call him this, decided, "it would be funny" - his words not mine - to scratch out Excellence and write in this colorful term. His creation, the new freshman slogan, "On the Hunt for..." Anybody laughing?
Let me be clear here. He is not funny. That is a disgrace, and I believe you could argue abusive to the people around him. Don't worry; I told him this. I hope that others who see this shirt in the future take the opportunity to stop and boo him and tell him what you think.
I know the Superfan slogans are terrible. I mean look at mine, "Talons of Fury…Get Ready"!?. I can't even make a sexual joke out of that, and listen, some of the modified slogans are humorous. I really like "Eagles GET Action." I laughed. Both guys and gals can get behind something like that. The same does not go for the slogan of my misguided acquaintance.
There is a larger issue at hand here. Why do some young men think it is appropriate and funny to treat women in such a disrespectful way? That is a good question. How do some young men at BC think it is ok to rape a girl? I would really like to see somebody ask these questions. Oh wait, I just did. I love the Women's Resource Center, ladies. They do great things for women, but there is something wrong with that kid at the game. You can put on all the events for women you want, but unless this University steps up and examines the male side of the issue, nothing will change. We need to work together to stamp out slogans like the one on that creep's shirt. For once, could we as a University come together and work to figure this out? How about we address why some of our students are wearing BC shirts that are so profane? I await a rebuttal, and don't even think about throwing the first amendment at me.
Paul R. D'Onofrio is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
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