Email This StorySenselessness of debate reveals odd priorities
Feb. 25, 1999'Only at Baylor.' Such are the words of many exasperated students who have reacted in dismay to the recent scourge of letters to the editor regarding athletic clothing and Christian womanliness.
The politics of sports bras and the theological implications of showing too much skin are, on their face, hilarious issues that provide a healthy chuckle. But underneath the humor of Lariat readers weighing in on such controversial topics is the tragic realization that Baylor students are moved more by something as inconsequential as wearing a sports bra than by more serious issues such as the PC/Mac debate or even Margaret Thatcher. Some Christians have dedicated more time, thought and effort to sports bras than they have dire subjects such as poverty, hunger, famine and war.
That the sports bras eclipse matters of life and death in the Baylor bubble shows a serious confusion in priorities and does a disservice to more genuine concerns that should draw Christian responses.
If students exhibited as much passion and fervor about more substantive issues as they have about the temptation power of a sports bra, Baylor might be a more exciting place to attend school -- full of ideas, informed opinions and considered thought. Unfortunately, such a pipe dream is only wishful thinking, since Baylor students are rarely aroused by topics that are more fit for discussion in the public forum.
Baylor students demonstrate a unique ability to make a mountain out of a molehill. No fewer than 10 letters on the subject have been published on the opinion page of The Lariat and the entire dispute is now exactly two weeks old.
It is altogether appropriate that during Traditions Week, Baylor students can relate to a modern corollary to the outdated but long-standing Baylor rule requiring women to wear a raincoat over their gym clothes so as to preserve their modesty and discourage lascivious looks from men. As laughable as that rule is in hindsight, it's discomforting to find that present-day Baylor still suffers from such prudish mores. The suggestion that women wearing sports bras tempts men displays little faith in the male population of Baylor; moreover, the publicity regarding sports bras has garnered much more attention than has the actual wearing of them.
The sexual overtones of the heated argument, mixed with sanctimonious religiosity, remind many people in the Baylor community of the problems and preconceptions that plague gender relations. The idealization of women as 'pure' and the objectification of women denies females the equality and respect they deserve. Matters of comfort and taste, as arbitrary and varied as other predilections, might offend strict sensibilities, but they hardly merit the thousands of words that have been written about sports bras.
Perhaps Baylor students should accustom themselves to the sight of sports bras (or look away blushing) and be wary of trivializing worthy topics to the point of absurdity.
The luxury of a student newspaper is the public forum that the letter to the editor section accords to all students, allowing them to engage in vigorous debate and circumspection of the issues. Letters to the editor can provide a much-needed stage for the airing of student views and hopefully will emphasize issues and perspectives worthy of discussion.
Copyright © 1999 The Lariat
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