To the Editor:
Anyone who was at the Tribe 8 show would know how incredible it was. The things they sing about are things that most people are afraid to talk about. Their music and the things they say and do in their shows are very empowering and emotionally invigorating for womyn, especially lesbians, who still face so many challenges and obstacles in society. Tribe 8 takes a radical stand that provides support and encouragement for womyn who must constantly struggle for equality.
The larger issue here is some higher power's judgment that what went on at the show is `public indecency.' I am tired of the double standard present in archaic indecency laws. Forcing womyn to cover any part of their body is insulting and oppressive. It's like being told that a beautiful part of our bodies is too dirty or corrupting to be exposed. Who decides what should he covered and what shouldn't? What is their reasoning? Why are some parts of the body more `indecent' than others? What is so evil about nipples that wearing pasties is okay, but going completely topless is illegal?
As for what constitutes an `appropriate' show at Oberlin. whose right is it to decide? I am an adult, and 1 can decide for myself what I would and would not like to see. Some people claim to be offended by the nudity or actions on stage that night, or by public nudity at any other time. Mr. Scofield tries to explain his position by asking us to consider the reverse situation of a "sexually explicit heterosexual event sponsored by Zeke." But the situation cannot be reversed hecause it does not exist in the reverse. Heterosexual men have not had to fight for hundreds of years to be considered viable, capable human beings. They have not had to experience the inequalities that all womyn face regularly. So they would not be justified in expressing their anger and frustration in such a powerful way .
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