Drag
Ball Posters Offend Student
To
the Editors:
I am writing in regards to the posters that have been put up on
campus about Drag Ball. These posters provide instructions on how
to appropriately dress for Drag Ball. But they do a lot more than
that. They are strict guidelines on how one has to dress for Drag
Ball. That, in itself, I think is offensive: this is a campus dedicated
to individual self-expression, and to impose a sort of dress code
is antithetical to the spirit of Oberlin. If the posters only went
this far, this much would be offensive.
What is even more offensive is the insistence on the part of the
LGBTU that everyone who wants to attend the event be dressed in
drag. LGBTU sponsors this party, but there are several other campus
entities that co-sponsor it. I have been to Drag Ball before in
plain clothes, and I was of no harm to anyone. I went to enjoy the
music and spend time with friends. I did not harass anyone at the
event and I do not believe my presence negatively influenced the
atmosphere in any way.
Oberlin only has two all-campus parties each year. I enjoy attending
these events as being part of the community. If Drag Ball is to
become an exclusive affair, limited to those who will only participate
in all aspects of the event, then I believe that we, as a community,
need to talk about the event, and consider what it means to exclude
people.
I am not certain if these guidelines are actually going to be enforced.
If they are, I would argue that, in the interests of freedom of
expression, and inclusiveness, the Oberlin student body ought to
boycott this event. I would also suggest that if these exclusive
limitations are to be imposed, the College ought to arrange for
another all-campus party that will be inclusive.
Mark Engleson
College junior
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