Tuesday, January 7, 1997
No sporting cheers for w. hoops
I attended the UCLA men’s basketball game and the women’s game
that followed it on Dec. 7, and I was greatly disturbed by what I
saw. At the conclusion of the men’s game (after which the women’s
game would commence), nearly every single fan filed out of Pauley
Pavilion. What was even more agitating was watching almost the
entire UCLA band get up and leave as well. I absolutely could not
believe what I was seeing. Even though they were already there,
seated, instruments in hand, the UCLA Solid Gold Marching Band
would not stay and play for both of the UCLA teams. More
specifically, they would not play for the UCLA women’s team.
Please do not accuse me of being naive; I have seen this type of
blatant discrimination before. In fact, I am very familiar with it,
and I can fully understand that this is simply a fact of life. I
endured this discrimination throughout high school. I would watch
as the bleachers filled to capacity for the boys’ games (which,
incidentally, usually ended in a loss), and then I would take the
court for the girls’ basketball games in front of a crowd almost
solely comprised of parents (despite the fact that we won the
league championship). However, I never, ever expected to witness
such a blatant and entirely inexcusable display of sexism at
UCLA.
Come on guys! This is UCLA, where we are all supposedly so open
minded. UCLA, where we are all so accepting, not racist, and
certainly not sexist. You know what I am talking about. You heard
the speeches at orientation. You’ve read those lines in all of the
brochures. You’re heard all of the equality talk. And that is
precisely why I sat in stunned silence as the UCLA "fans" and the
UCLA Solid Gold Marching Band walked out of Pauley Pavilion at
nearly the same time that the women’s basketball team took the
court.
The UCLA band sent a message loud and clear that, first of all,
they do not care in the least bit about women’s athletics, and
second, that they do not and will not support the women’s team in
their efforts. It is a slap in the face to those women who practice
day in and day out to represent our school. But the even more
damaging message sent was the one to all of the prospective Bruins.
UCLA just told them that no, in fact, we do not support women’s
athletics. Sure, we have them (we kind of have to), but we don’t
really support them. Now, where’s that S.I.R.? Are you ready to
sign?
But please, read on, because there is more. When I got out my
ticket to present to the usher while I moved to get a better seat
for the women’s game, he stopped me. And it was at this point that
he put the icing on the cake when he said, "Oh, I don’t need to see
that. It’s the women’s game." I stared at him in total disbelief
and marveled at how hypocritical this university is. I would like
to commend the 14 (that’s right, 14) band members who did play for
the women’s game. And for the rest of you: think about it Â
huh?
Kathryn Manlove
First Year
English