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Know Your Roles, Ladies and Gentlemen

By Jason Hutchins
Black College Wire

You hear the thudding of a trunk attempting to stay shut against the heavy vibrations underneath.

You see brightly colored patches of boxer shorts underneath pants slipping further than they should in the name of fashion.

You hear the calls of, "Hey, girl!"

Any zoologist can tell you these are all parts of the mating ritual of the male at Florida A&M University.

However, the question must be asked: When did these behaviors become acceptable and deserving of a positive response?

It's life imitating art.

If you can recall one of the many rap videos you have seen recently, then the scenario of a man pulling up in a shiny new car with music blaring and women flocking to him is not hard to comprehend.

Is this really the model for men at FAMU to catch the attention of the women on campus?

The answer is a resounding yes.

It seriously bothers me that we buy into the hype, that we are supposed to imitate the social cues created in the minds of people who continually degrade women and regard them as mere sexual objects.

We should turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the ignoramuses who objectify and dehumanize women.

But men should not be held solely responsible for this behavior. Women should own up to their role in this desecration of social etiquette.

Yes, there is a certain role that women are expected to play when approached.

However, ladies, if you are accosted in an unbefitting manner, please do not respond by flocking or flirting in return.

You have to let men know that you will not respond to their cheapened attempts to get your attention, like some dog awaiting a treat.

Of course, all students are not guilty of this behavior. However, there are enough who are. At times, I believe I am caught in a second-rate video in heavy rotation on BET.

If we are supposed to be here to get an education, we should behave in an educated manner in all aspects of our lives, not on a few, selected occasions. Seriously, is it that difficult to approach someone in a respectable manner – one that isn't degrading to yourself or others?

Jason Hutchins, 18, is a freshman business administration student from Athens, Ga. He attends Florida A&M University and writes for The Famuan.