AN INTRAMURAL, CO-ED softball team at Temple is named "Co-Ed = Mo' Head."Temple News columnist Leah Mafrica took issue with the name, and wrote about it in this week's issue of the paper:
Contrary to what some may think, this is not as innocent as some might claim. This type of language is both sexist and immature, particularly when demonstrated at a function that serves to blend men and women as equals in relation to sports, a goal that has been hard to accomplish.
To wear a shirt that disrespects women at a sports function also disrespects the sport and undermines what universities attempt to accomplish by providing co-recreational sports. That is, to think of men and women as athletically equal.
Is this a free speech issue? Or is it offensive for the team to have such a name? Should the university take action, and force a name change? Or should everyone chill?
21 comments:
everyone should chill. the name is not even that funny.
-jeff mcdevitt
I agree with Leah. That kind of bawdy humor is tasteless and offensive, especially to women. If the purpose behind naming their team "Co-ed = Mo' head" is a ploy for attention, then they certainly succeeded. But my question for women on the team is this: is that really the kind of attention you want?
Then again, that's just my personal opinion. If the team members- including the female players- really like the name, then so be it. It's their choice to project that kind of message.
Well, did the women on the team agree on the name? I figure they would have been first to protest...
Okay, I do understand where the journalist is coming from. But knowing some of the members on the team personally, this was meant to be lighthearted. Seriously, everyone needs to chill with stuff. It's like those people who are sue happy, suing everyone for inadequate reasons, just to get some money. ANNOYING!
yo wo man take a chill pill theirs bigger thangs to worry a boot. like world hunger or how water kills more people than aids or war ( o shit son word) yea u heard.
I agree entirely with Leah. It is disgusting that this would be a team name that represents Temple University. I find most people arguing that it is not sexist. What does that matter? The name is abominable nevertheless.
Also, I am very proud of Leah as she caused quite a stir. 70+ comments on the Temple News site! That's unheard of! :)
I don't think it's a free speech issue, I mean they can have whatever name they want. It's just immature and crude. I guess if the members of the team don't mind looking like that, then more power to them.
I just think that this whole entire issue is kind of pathetic. The name is neither necessary nor funny. If I was in 9th Grade I'd be loving this blowjob pun. But the fact of the matter is it's just a waste of everyone on campus's time.
-Zachary DiLanzo
I completely agree with the above poster, this is in no way a free speech issue, it's a maturity issue. It's just simply ignorant and has little place at a scholarly, collegiate setting. Yes, we are all sexual beings who come to college to both study and have fun, but this is simply bros seeking attention through something they knowingly recognize as obscene.
No we shouldn't just chill out when women have been dealing with a man's world for centuries.. no the name is neither funny or clever. its white trash.. ANYWAY, I agree with Leah, but I sometimes have to hold my tongue because many men think women are just being annoying and or a feminist.
I don't get it??.... Is this a real team or a joke?? do I care???..
I do believe that the journalist has a ligitimate reason to be offended. The name is pretty immature and like the person above said if I was in the 9th grade I'd probably think that this was funny but were all adults and although we maybe young we should grow up a little bit more.
I feel if the women on the team are okay with the name, then that is all that matters. If anyone should be protesting, it is them. For us, the observers, we have no business having a problem with the title of THEIR team.
I agree with Kate here.... It is really up to the women of the team to either accept it or reject it. Obviously the name was created all in good fun. It is their personal right to have whatever name they want, unless it completely degrades someone's ethnicity and/or sex. Which I do not believe it has done.
I guess the name is a team decision. I actually find the pun kind of funny but I can understand people feeling that it's an immature name for a university sports team. I would say that there is nothing wrong with it unless it's making women feel like they can't join the team because they don't want to identify with the name. If the team was already formed and all of the members agreed on the name, then who cares?
I find the name to be disgustingly sexist, not to mention immature. I think that this issue goes far beyond free speech rights here. Why the women on this team would allow themselves to be portrayed like this is beyond me. If it is something that they chose, or even allowed, then this speaks volumes on the learned subordination that these women have embodied, and suggests that some gender sensitivity classes should be included in Temple's core requirements for graduation.
The name is sexist, but if everyone on the team agreed to it- and if the women agreed to being degraded from athletes to objects- there's not much that can be done about it. It's just odd that they are promoting co-ed sports with sexism.
- Jess Dunford
I believe this team name is sexist. Why would the women on the team want that name? I mean I guess it's fine if they did but seriously. I'm not a big feminist or anything but that's just pretty wrong.
-Jess kairis
This is purely first amendment protected. I see nothing wrong with the name whatsoever. The team is trying to have some fun while playing and I think that the people who look further into the name then need be are the ones who need to be investigated for having DIRTY FREAKIN MINDS!
I think it's funny . If the people on the team agree with it that's all that matters. If it offends anyone that makes it all the greater for the that team, because they're doing what they want and not listening to outsiders.
Nicole Homaijani
I don't think that the it is appropriate, but I also don't think that people should make a big deal of it. It will offend some people but I think the majority of people will not be offended.
Kurt Mauro
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