Don't even think of posing for that ice sculpture
Back in the 1970's, American feminists battled for the right to enjoy the same freedoms as men - to attend any college or university, to enjoy sexual freedom, to get equal pay for equal work. They were determined to smash the domestic role and liberate women to be whatever they wanted to be, do whatever they wanted to do, and say whatever they wanted to say.
For what do American feminists battle in the 21st century? Why, the right to destroy nine-foot penis sculpture made of snow, and make statements about how "victimized" they were by such an object. A writer in the Harvard Crimson defends the sculpture as a legitimate artistic impression. But some campus feminists didn't see it that way, and one in particular wrote the Crimson to take credit for smashing the phallus. Here's the little snowflake herself, Amy Keel:
As a student of Harvard University, neither I, nor any other woman, should have to see this obscene and grossly inappropriate thing on my way to class. No one should have to be subjected to an erect penis without his or her express permission or consent.
Many women and men, including myself, are the victims of sexual assault, child sexual abuse and rape. The unwanted image of an erect penis is an implied threat; it means that we, as women, must be subject to erect penises whether we like it or not. There was nothing "challenging" or "subversive" about the penis. The only thing it did was create an uncomfortable environment for the women of Harvard University.
Okay, I'm really going to try to rise above the gutter humor this inspires in me. I'm not going to dissolve into hysterical laughter at the idea of anyone saying the surreal statement, "No one should have to be subjected to an erect penis without his or her express permission or consent" with a straight face, especially when the "penis" in question is a silly snow sculpture. I'm not going to callously ponder whether Ms. Keel would have been happy with a flaccid statue, or whether she is alarmed at the thought of visiting the Washington Monument. I'm not going to bray sarcastically about the idea that women tough enough and smart enough to attend Harvard can't ignore a bunch of doofuses building giant body parts in the snow, nor wonder who made them so ideology-addled that they're unable to view it as anything other than an attempt by the patriarchy to intimidate all women.
I'll just ask, what was to stop the women from building an even bigger vulva? There was certainly enough snow on the ground. But no, they're not willing to compete, nor to ignore - everything's an occasion for mindless action and a generous slather of self-pitying, defensive righteousness.
Update: Blogger Erin O'Connor posts a reader's devastating reply letter to Ms. Keel here. Go read. Now.