Members of Abusua meet with B&D/SM group

Abusua offended over use of word slave in posters

After concerns were raised by members of Abusua, Oberlin's black student union, about today's scheduled Bondage and Discipline/Sadism and Masochism Student Organization (B&D/SM) "slave auction," the event has been moved to April 19.

Members of Abusua explained at a meeting Thursday evening that they were offended by the recent advertisements placed around campus by members of B&D/SM that used the phrase "slave auction" to describe the event.

The posters said, "Come Explore Your Dominant Side at the B&D/SM SLAVE AUCTION" as well as, "B&D/SM SLAVE AUCTION - Do you have fantasies about having someone to wash your windows? Do you have fantasies about having someone to watch you jerk off?"

There were different versions of the posters hung throughout campus and one version stated that the slaves on the auction block were volunteers and enjoy being submissive. All versions clearly stated "B&D/SM Slave Auction."

Members of Abusua expressed concern that from reading the poster, one could not realize what the slave auction was about.

"I was offended by the slave auction. As an African-American, I've known the history of slavery and its effects," one student said.

Members of B&D/SM responded by saying that they had a meeting Wednesday night to discuss the matter. One member said, "It dawned on us. We were completely not thinking in that context."

Another member said that they did not realize the phrase would be hurtful. "Slave is a common word in SM."

Bridgette Young, a college sophomore and student senator, said, "Historically, slave is a negative word."

"Women were exploited physically and sexually," a student said, referring to the antebellum southern institution of slavery in the United States. She said she realized that B&D/SM may have had innocent intentions when writing the poster, but that they must be held accountable for the way in which they choose to label their events.

Another student added, "If you bring something out of the group, you must be mindful of the people around us."

One student said, "In a multicultural environment, it was not a positive move."

"I'm looking for a letter to show you have some kind of understanding, maybe posted in the mail room," commented another member of Abusua.

Members of B&D/SM said that they will, as a result of the meeting, refrain from using the term "slave" publicly on campus. No mention of writing a letter was made, though today posters that refrain from using the word pain replaced the posters that used the word slave.

Student Life and Services administrators including Assistant Dean of Student Life and Services Julia Nieves, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Deborah McNish, and Assistant Dean of Students and Residential Life Yeworkwha Belachew were present at the meeting.

McNish said, "There is a basic philosophical difference between the two groups." She said that the groups will never come to an agreement about the usage of the term "slave" because of their differing philosophies.

Belachew told students that through the meeting she learned about B&D/SM culture, something which she didn't understand in the past.

The auction was planned last month in order to fund a visit from Jim Sorrentino, a lawyer, sadist and S&M expert, who will attend an open campus meeting on Saturday. Sorrentino will speak to the students at the meeting about S&M culture as well as safe and effective techniques in practicing S&M.

After the meeting, Julian Dockhorn, a college sophomore and member of B&D/SM, said, "People came to listen. I was impressed."

A member of B&D/SM explained an aspect of their organization, "We're not advocating real-life situations like the ones we have in fantasies. The issue is consent and safety."

The member also said, "B&D/SM has nothing to do with gender and racial politics."

College sophomore Sonja Krefting said, "It really bothered me that we were being condemned by people who didn't know about S&M culture."

Krefting explained that the organization is a "good outlet for sexual tension and anger. It's a healthy way of dealing with psychological issues that are hard to face."

Aileen Seoane, founder of B&D/SM, said that she will be scheduling a meeting next Wednesday to give the student body an opportunity to participate in an open dialogue about the organization.