I have to say, I'm impressed. When I posted an anti-feminist hate email from the (now former) public relations officer of the Southern Illinois University College Republicans, I didn't expect any action to be taken.
On the contrary, not only did officers of the CR - Wess Haubrich and Jermaine Raymer - come into the thread to offer apologies (as did the emailer himself, Alex Kochno, though his apology was not as well-taken by commenters), but SIU also took out an ad in their college paper (4/23, p 14) renouncing the act. Kochno also resigned from his position at CR, I'm assuming under pressure from his peers.
And to top things off, I received an email from the SIU administration informing me how seriously they took the email and that Kochno's email privileges were suspended pending a student conduct code review.
I think major kudos go to the SIU administration and the officers of the CR for their prompt and thorough response.
SIU's response has really heartened me. I think we all know how rampant online misogyny is, and how difficult it is to deal with because of anonymity issues. But I think incidents like these show how we can hold harassers accountable, and how seriously the "real" world will take hate speech - online or off.
So big thanks to SIU administration, the CR, and the many SIU students who emailed us. I have a little more hope today because of your action.
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I am very impressed by the actions of the Young Republicans, its officers, and the campus. I think, when criticized, it is very natural to take the defensive. But instead of doing that, this organization was willing to admit that one of its members was in the wrong. I was particularly impressed with Mr. Haubrich, because when posters on the thread criticized him and pressed him, he didn't get angry, and maintained his apologetic tone. That takes a heckuva lot more integrity than I am used to seeing in politics.
So, good for them. It takes guts to apologize to political adversaries, when your apology could be used against you. But most importantly, they did the right thing.
-Ismone, life-long dem.
That's very impressive. Just goes to show that there are some honest, honorable, and intelligent College Republicans out there (as president of my College Dems, I was lucky enough to interact with some of them... though others were not nearly so pleasant).
Though it also to show what a difference a little anonymity makes in what people are willing to say...
Yeah, SIU!
Also, their front page article rocks.
Makes one hopeful for the future. ^_^
Very admirable! Props to the CR officers.
I appreciate what SIU administration and the CRs have done, but I would definitely NOT extend any gratitude towards the original letter-writer.
He was ASKED to issue an apology, and it turned out to be insincere and half-assed. I don't understand why Feministing readers wanted an apology in the first place; what good is a dishonest, forced apology?
The guy is obviously a misogynist.
He guesses that maybe there are stupid men as well as women. WOW! Thanks for the apology!
His reasoning was flat-out STUPID. And all he can offer is a concession that smart women do exist? Ahhhh, I can't go any further into this; you know what I mean.
I hadn't kept up with that thread but on the re-read it's nice to know that there are still some old-school Republicans whose opinions (however much I disagree with them) are at least not motivated by hate, greed, and fear.
I really don't see this guy going through any sort of awakening. His apology was stilted, forced, and carefully worded to actually avoid any sort of blame or self-reflection. Rather, he's going to start whining how a bunch of bitches ruined his life because he got drunk and made a mistake (how many MRAs say the same thing?) As for the in vino veritas defense, I doubt he will seek any help for his drinking problem, simply because the problem wasn't (in his opinion) that he got drunk and said stuff that he normally has the wisdom to keep to himself (despite Haubrich's assertions that he's a bit of an all-around dick even when he's sober), but rather, that we couldn't take a joke that he just happened to be drunk when he made it. Sadly, I don't think there is an "in" for this guy through any external efforts. Unless someone he loves and cares about is ill-treated at the hands of the patriarchy, he'll keep on hatin'.
The CR at SIU acted really classy. Hauberch's comments on the original thread were thoughtful and articulate.
I'm sure that Kochno will go right on hating away but at least he will see consequences for his actions.
That's really encouraging.
Yay! That's so encouraging. I'm glad to see some good feminist news, after dealing with lots of frustrating right-wing "you'll pay whatever we decided for your own birth control (without insurance) and you'll like it!" comments on our own site.
I love SIU. I used to work with a group of volunteers that would drive 2+ hours to escort women into a St. Louis abortion clinic.. There are some really wonderful people there, and I don't think all schools would have been so willing to grapple with the problem directly.
Thank you to Jessica for publishing the original e-mail and keeping updates posted as well.
I'd like to add that in addition to the hope the exchanges show about how, as Jessica wrote about,"we can hold harassers accountable, and how seriously the "real" world will take hate speech - online or off.", the actions by the young men involved (GOP notwithstanding) demonstrate that people can learn from their behavior and others' behavior. And who is to say that Alex Kochno won't learn or hasn't learned?
It's our consistency and persistence in dealing with hate speech (by using more speech) that not only reinforces for us and other women or targets of hate speech that harassers can be held accountable, but that they might also stop their behavior.
I didn't say it will for sure change them, of course. :) But this incident gives me hope that our persistence can change people.
So awesome that they responded so vigorously. And now I thank Kochno for providing the perfect shorthand term to refer to your basic MRA asshole... "It's science!"
Excuse me while I do my little happy dance, celebrating this example of taking action realy makes a difference...
The University's ad found it's way to my office wall. As a reminder of the fact, that taking action can change things for good.
Wow, I have never been so proud to be a Saluki. The response from the SIU student body and staff has been awesome. From Haubrich being so pro-active in dealing with the offence to the Head of Women's Studies telling me about how the students were really speaking out to this to the President of SIU, Glen Poshard, taking time to e-mail me back about my complaints (although he was my representative to IL Congress and the US Rep for many years, so I already knew how awesome he is), and finally the full page ad---these responses were more than I even hoped for. It makes me full really good that we can actually affect change in the world. I feel really empowered by this!! Yea!!
A big thanks to Haubrich and the SIU community for supporting women's rights and standing up against hate speech!
Kudos to Haubrich, Raymer et al.!
These people actually make me happy for the future of the Republican party.
--a staunch liberal
Hello again all,
I just wanted to thank Jessica, all of you who have contributed to the blog, and the fine folks at feministing for giving Vice President Raymer, the club, and myself a place to respond to Kochno's comments and hopefully do what we could to rebuke them and build bridges.
I thank you again for the praise and for your time! Keep fighting the good fight!
-Wess A. Haubrich
-Wess A. Haubrich
I was very impressed by the prompt response by the other CR officers. Often when it comes to things like this people will just tell us to "lighten up" and imply that we can't take the heat. This is indeed a breath of fresh air
Quite frankly the response from SIU and the CR was darn impressive. Not only was it prompt, well-thought-out, and effective, but both groups also contacted the site. In terms of the ideal result of the first thread, this has to exceed expectations. I mean, it's basically all anyone could have hoped for from the school and the organization.
Wow. I'm also really impressed. It's funny/sad how unaccustomed we are to being treated with respect. It's so *weird.*
I really appreciate the way SIUC, CR and Wess Haubrich have handled this. I really feel like I have learned something new about dialogue from this. Haubrich, the next time I find myself in a difficult situation, I hope I will be as gracious as you've been.
This is great news!
Jessica, thanks also to you for calling this guy out. We often still have to demand to be treated with respect--I"m glad you did.
-Jessica-
Thank you for keeping us updated on their responses. I'm really glad that you are giving the good actors in this matter public kudos. Sure it may grate a little to praise organizations for acting like responsible adults, it is important to remember that it is often much easier for an organization to just not get involved, and positive feedback helps gives an incentive to keep behaving in a community friendly manner that silence in the face of effort doesn't. This is something I love to see in all of the communities I work with/join/watch, and it makes me really happy to see Feministing doing this.
Just in case anyone wanted to know, Alex has a one man band called "Slaughtercunt." He doesn't hate women at all.
I'm lazy at the moment, and am kinda hoping the reasonable Mr. Haubrich will stop back- but when I was looking up some of the news stories on this earlier, I caught the SUIC's College Republican's Myspace, and it's not representing y'all very well. The two of you who posted on feministing seemed like reasonable, respectful people. The myspace of your group totally does not. I just wanted to let you know that from a total outsider perspective, the reasonable and thoughtful young men who posted here don't really jive with the images represented on the SUIC CR's MySpace.
I am warning everyone who tries to make this a public issue that you will be sued. I know a contract lawyer personally and if you disfigure this mans charicter you are breaking the law. I will be listining closely and if any insults on lifestyle are written or spoken i will personally slander you in court. Have a great day
I am warning everyone who tries to make this a public issue that you will be sued. I know a contract lawyer personally and if you disfigure this mans charicter you are breaking the law. I will be listining closely and if any insults on lifestyle are written or spoken i will personally slander you in court. Have a great day
I am warning everyone who tries to make this a public issue that you will be sued. I know a contract lawyer personally and if you disfigure this mans charicter you are breaking the law. I will be listining closely and if any insults on lifestyle are written or spoken i will personally slander you in court. Have a great day
I am warning everyone who tries to make this a public issue that you will be sued. I know a contract lawyer personally and if you disfigure this mans charicter you are breaking the law. I will be listining closely and if any insults on lifestyle are written or spoken i will personally slander you in court.
Just for posterity, Joe of Schaumburg IL said:
you ask me how i feel yet you never cared you think you are sincere yet you hold the spear your a overated hipocratical douchbag
fuck off fuck off fuck off fuck off
you still feel supirior yet you the roach i stepped on you still lack the balls to bring it to my face YOU run you like to feel like a good person you like to do good deeds to bad you are the problem your mom planted a bad seed
fuck off and die fuck off and cry
what a change now in words now you call me shit for sure for its not that you ever fucking cared its that you think you have to feel sorry for me your the pathetic seed
clubbers are such fags unless they are forced into going there lame overated cunts and that goes for family too
and have security alarm and cop lives next door HAHA cant do shit till im here i will track all u down beat ya ass
mother fucker who has a problem with me hanging out with karla can come to 253 nantucket harbor and get fucked up
dont go see superbad they can fucking sue me and i will teach them a lesson fuck them
fuck all you sell out piece of shit fucking losers superbad looks gay dont bring god into your breast fetish because thats gay and lame fuck you and fuck warped tour and the losers who go fucking losers theres more on a women i wish everyone hell at 1035 and 1011
people are such pussies that talk shit online i cant beat ya ass from aol ok just stfu wannabe badasses fumofo isnt even original dumbass bitch how do people feel about online trash talking losers anyways and what kind of person just says crackhead and signs off i and im assuming all of you dont have time for small talking small dicked faggots
fuck ggw and bar chicago
you want some come get some i will fucking hurt you if u fucking even say a word overated mother fuckers
you threatn me again anyone i have 5 people with there own armys and mob that will kill u and that goes to whoever was at the laquinta PAYBACK IS A BITCH N----!!! i will make sure i never am with people i dont know again and i will make sure that if i get in a fight no one has a knife stop being a fucking pussy and fight and if i did end up dead or hurt u would be too fucking warning you n----. that redneck whiteboy got shit on me now and that 15 year old piece of shit whore at the party can kiss my ass she will be a alchaholic so whatever bitch cunt fucking cunt
legal mother fuckers out there
just a reminder to those mentioned if my car chugs gets a scratch or even has a ounce of sugar found in the gas tank everyone who i have had issues with will be investagated and the 2 mentioned above will pay for sure
1 attorney in naperville=friend
2 friend with sherrif
3 can kick your fucking ass
I'm sure I speak for all feminists when I say your legal acumen really has us quivering in our stilettos.
And that was written by Joseph Snodgrass of Illinois.
Ladies, I hope that term doesnt offend you, I am not surprised that Wes acted quickly and correctly as I have known him for a long time. I do have a question for you though. Is the rambling of one man who was reportedly drunk, as any intelligent person would have to have been to post such an idiotic statement, really "hate speech" and legal harrassment? I have read the original post and find it laughable, maybe I have a broader view than most about what offends me, but anything I can laugh at because of it's stupidity I find entirely without merit and therefore unoffending. I do however find it offensive that my efforts at being a "gentlemen" or merely civil, brand me as sexist and the enemy of womens rights. I am a person who has sacrificed much of myself in defense of the rights of all people. I am only the enemy of the opression of rights and abuses of liberty that endanger the rights of us all. Remember that the same constitution that calls for your freedom of speech calls for the same rights to be applied to the opposite side of your arguement. Enjoy your weekend and continue to use intelligence over reactionary emotion.
Ladies, I hope that term doesnt offend you, I am not surprised that Wes acted quickly and correctly as I have known him for a long time. I do have a question for you though. Is the rambling of one man who was reportedly drunk, as any intelligent person would have to have been to post such an idiotic statement, really "hate speech" and legal harrassment? I have read the original post and find it laughable, maybe I have a broader view than most about what offends me, but anything I can laugh at because of it's stupidity I find entirely without merit and therefore unoffending. I do however find it offensive that my efforts at being a "gentlemen" or merely civil, brand me as sexist and the enemy of womens rights. I am a person who has sacrificed much of myself in defense of the rights of all people. I am only the enemy of the opression of rights and abuses of liberty that endanger the rights of us all. Remember that the same constitution that calls for your freedom of speech calls for the same rights to be applied to the opposite side of your arguement. Enjoy your weekend and continue to use intelligence over reactionary emotion.