She asked for it...

We live in an age where our character is determined by who we associate with, where we choose to spend our time and more importantly, what we choose to wear. The importance of clothing and the impressions that it creates has been sidelined for far too long. In our own microcosm here at Rhodes University, it’s no secret that students judge each other according to what they wear.

For instance, you have the “hippie trend”. These are students who religiously sport the Che Guevara/Steve Biko t-shirts, leave the shoes at home and adorn themselves with as many beads and strings as possible. Even though these ‘individualists’ may not have picked up a joint in their life, there is a misconception that these students all meet at the old gaol to engage in their habitual ‘stoning ritual’. While these stereotypes may just cause the occasional snigger, there are those stereotypes that have been created by clothing which prove to be dangerous.

When a girl walks into room, club or dining hall wearing a short skirt or shorts, there are at least three people who have judged her as being one of those eager girls (the most politically correct term I could think of). These people can either be male or female, and feel that they have the right to sentence this girl to a life of promiscuity, stupidity and failure. This may seem over exaggerated but it’s true that the sexual availability of these girls seems to be determined in one glance. Perhaps there are some girls who feel confident with flaunting their legs to get attention from guys and have other characteristics that create negative impressions of them, but then there are also girls who have no agendas when they wear short skirts...unless wanting to be comfortable or cool on a hot day is an agenda?

In a democracy, women should have the freedom to express themselves through their attire as freedom of expression is a constitutional right . Yet, so often women are forced to give up the choice to wear certain clothes simply because some men can’t keep it in their pants. There is the argument that women entice men and tempt them by wearing such clothing. In courts today, this is becoming a common (warped) justification of rape and abuse. It seems ridiculous to think that a simple item of clothing can cause a person to have all dignity, safety and power taken away from them. “She was wearing a short skirt, and so she asked for it” is no longer acceptable. Matters are then made worse when this kind of twisted reasoning disseminates from the mouth of influential politicians when they are accused of rape . This in turn, creates the misconception that rape is somewhat acceptable when the victim was wearing certain items of clothing.

Discrimination and abuse can never be justified by fashion. This idea is simply ridiculous and it all leads back to the acceptance of certain stereotypes which may appear harmless but can end up undermining the dignity and rights of the person. People shouldn’t have the right to undermine anybody else’s rights. Next time you are about to judge a woman for wearing a short skirt (or heaven forbid showing some skin), step down from your high horse and realise that she owns her own body and may clothe it with whatever she wants. As Eve Ensler says in her poem, My Short Skirt, “...mainly my short skirt and everything underneath it is Mine. Mine. Mine.”

Big Ben versus The Clock Tower...

The day is drawing to a close - lazy legs amble to dinner, voices grow softer and heavy sighs of relief mark the end of yet another day. The fatigue seems contagious in the Oriel house, until my interviewee bounces into the once dull picture. The 1.55 cm tall Oriel House resident is a ball of energy, eager to share her experience as a first year student after taking two gap years.Jena Scheepers had the unfortunate pleasure of re-entering a learning institution after having spent two years on a working holiday visa in London in what she describes as, “the best years of my life”. Her cosmopolitan lifestyle painted a picture of shopping, sight-seeing and an amazing nightlife – enough to persuade anybody to hop onto the next flight to Heathrow.

This BA student truly valued her independence and convenient lifestyle that she led when abroad and reluctantly returned home in December 2007, to prepare for yet another lifestyle – life as a Rhodent! The 20-year-old chuckles in disbelief when she describes her transition from living the high life in London to small town life at Rhodes. “When you’ve been in the city for so long, the novelty of a small town ends very fast. I found myself wanting to go home very quickly!”, she said.

In first year, students have to adapt to many academic and emotional situations like separation anxiety, subject choices, financial issues and most importantly, facing the mystery meat on their plate each night! In addition to this, Jena had to re-establish her thirst for knowledge and adapt to being in an academic environment after having last picked up a textbook in 2005. She says that, “After two years, you forget how to write. It was all very different.” She closes her eyes as she describes how she had to convince herself that university was the next best logical step for her. This lively first-year was determined to make it work, she had to remind herself that moping was not an option and had to snap back to reality fast. Her ability to not focus on the past, allowed her to focus on her other anxieties in first year like ...finding friends! The ability to create a good impression and the concern about meeting new people formed a major speed-bump in Jena’s journey as a first year at Rhodes. It would seem that she flew right over this speed bump because, she managed to make life-long bonds with a group of fellow first-years that she fondly calls “her sisters”. Luckily, Jena shares a room with one of her “sisters” but had to learn how to share her private space without loosing her sanity. However, she explains that this is not the worse thing about living in res, instead she hates having to pack up her room during breaks.

Eight months and 179 days later, Jena has made it through her first year successfully (with most of her sanity intact).When she thinks about her time, she bursts into a roar of contagious laughter as she recalls stories of her and her friends. Stories involving the “dining hall, naartjies and twitching eyes”...times that will forever remain etched in her memory. When asked about what she would have done differently, she says, “I would have more of an open mind about things and try to make as many friends as possible.”

Life at Rhodes will never compare to her life in London. It was an experience that she will never forget, but so is her first year as a Rhodes student. Jena learnt to adapt to her new lifestyle very fast and lives by the motto that “You will never be happier than you expect, to change your happiness, change your expectations.” She hopes to make the most of her next three years, and until she gets another opportunity to stand beside the Big Ben again, the clock tower will have to do!

Been there, done that...got the jacket!

Dear me,

You may think that this letter is strange at first but I am who you will become so keep reading...it’s for your own good.At this stage, you probably can’t wait to escape the confinement of high school, but let me tell you friend that university is more than parties, fun and the occasional lecture. There are other issues that crop up along the way...like fashion! You may not believe it, but deciding what to wear every morning will take up a substantial amount of your time.

Grahamstown weather is somewhat unpredictable. Sometimes you will experience four seasons in a day so when you pack, I hope that you are more practical than ambitious. However, this doesn’t mean you need to abandon your style completely. Oh and you will soon find that you have become a frequent customer at Mr. Price as this is one of (only) eight clothing stores. Yep, that’s the small town life of Grahamstown!You can’t really escape fashion here at Rhodes, people express their creativity through their fashion but sometimes everybody ends up looking the same. For example, at least twice a day you should encounter someone with a Steve Biko/Che Guevara (or some freedom fighter) imprinted on an item of clothing. People here seriously embrace their inner political activist / hippie through their fashion.

Do you remember the time when someone accused you of stealing a jacket just because you wore an identical one? And then, you had to prove that the jacket was indeed yours. Yes, people are serious about fashion here and somehow it always turns political.Just remember to wear you genes with pride, first year is going to be the year when you create first impressions and learn new things about your strength of character.

Trust me – been there, done that, got the jacket!

Yours in spirit
Me

Dear mini-me

Dearest mini-me

Wow, I can’t believe that it’s been almost nine months since you’ve embarked on the journey that is university. I can still remember your nervous excitement during that excruciating eleven hour drive to Grahamstown, followed by that sinking feeling when you finally pulled into High Street and realised just how small town really is.

Little did you know how familiar you would become with town and all its little streets as well as how the quaintness of Grahamstown would grow on you, despite its rather limited shopping scene. So, instead of indulging in one of your favourite pastimes, shopping, you have to find other ways to keep busy, be it taking make-up lessons with friends, having spur of the moment “sleepovers” or movie nights in Res and more importantly experimenting with and learning cook all the important food groups namely: chips, popcorn, cheese, noodles and croissants in the microwave!

Another great way to make use of your somewhat limited free time is by taking driving lessons. It’s a great move toward independence but believe you me, it doesn’t come without its ups and downs. No, you didn’t injure yourself or anyone else for that matter...well...not yet, but you did however fail the road test. Now, I know you’re probably upset by this news but don’t let it get to you. In hindsight, failure was just what you needed to keep you level headed especially as all the other aspects of your life were going well and you started to view the world through rose tinted glasses.

Looking back and considering all your reservations about leaving the comfort and security of home, I would say that you really have nothing to worry about. Rhodes is great, well except at the end of short terms when you’re swamped with work and have to meet seemingly impossible deadlines. Other than that, I’m sure that you’ll find this never ending adventure and quest for self-discovery and independence to be quite fulfilling. You will also meet some of the most amazing and interesting people here. You’ll also see more bare feet in your first two weeks here, than you’ve seen your whole life!

I’d like to leave you with a word of advice before you embark on this journey: take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, you’ll soon discover that it really is worth it and remember what Bliss Blass says, “when in doubt, wear red”!

Bon Voyage!

Love,
Your older and slightly wiser self