Editor,
We are writing in response to the Peaches and Cream Fashion Show held in the SUB on Monday.
We would like to ask for clarification about the rationale behind this event. Our understanding is that the concept behind the show was that of fundraising. While events such as these are a great way to encourage student involvement and raise money at the same time, what happened on Monday defeated every positive intention by the organizing group. We were present during the men's fashion show that took place a month ago and were also displeased with the blatant objectification of male bodies. It seems especially problematic that the fashion show held in the bottom floor of the SUB on Monday, when stripped of its fundraising motive, was left with the overt act of objectifying our students.
Some students took risks by dressing in especially revealing clothes, such as very short skirts or bikinis. Some may argue that this was an act of resistance in a puritanical environment. Or, perhaps it was a statement that women can be and are sexual beings. But we contend that this was a statement that in the UNM academic environment, women are still oppressed by patriarchal values.
We think the students who participated in the organizing of this event should have been more mindful of their choices. Was this supposed to be a fashion show or a bikini show? Negative and sexualized representations of female bodies are everywhere we turn. Young women who think the only way to attract male attention is through such exhibition are very problematic.
We live in a world where young, college-educated women still make 25 percent less money than their male counterparts. Women are not liberated if they choose to wear a bikini to a fashion show. We still live in a society where young women believe that sex will somehow gain them an upper hand in our society.
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As women who fight against the implications of sexual objectification, we are disappointed that the University sanctioned this event. We are also disappointed in the women who participated in the show who chose to bare all. They sent a very clear message - we have a long road ahead in the fight for women's rights.
As women, scholars and instructors at this institution, we were appalled and saddened by this event. We hope that if such an event is to take place in the future, the University will be more sensitive to the stereotypes it is selling to the public, especially to young women.
We hope that some of the participants and organizers of this event will take the time to think about and respond to our requests for clarification.
Emira Ibrahimpasic
and Lissa Knudsen
UNM graduate students
