Reponse to Folkers' article By Alex Daniels

This is in response to Kelly Folkers article in the Denisonian two weeks ago called, DU parties: get naked or get out. Just like my lab reports from high school, better late than never to respond. If you didn’t gloss over her article, it’s okay, ill break it down real quick: College kids love theme parties, the themes are always degrading toward women, the outfits girls choose to wear show no “self respect”, and men are pigs who violate women. Yes, a real downer of an article for any of us who enjoy going all out on the weekend.
The first thing I would like to point out is the fading trend of the Bro’s and Ho’s theme party. Every single idea has been played out and killed (except for this year’s smash hit, Golf Pro’s and Tigers Ho’s; sorry, but I think that’s pretty creative). This year’s themes ranged from Over-Rated, Anything goes But Clothes (ABC), Reality TV, High School stereotypes, Barnyard Bash, and representing my home state…Jersey Shore. All these themes allow girls to take their costumes as liberally as they feel comfortable. And coming way out of left field, is the most bizarre/original/wish I thought of it theme idea Chefs and Refs, but I’m sure you would also find that one degrading, because it assumes women belong in the kitchen…
Now you move on to question why women wear “barely-there clothing”, and call it “demeaning”. Well I’m not sure if you noticed, but theme parties are an amazing time. People enjoy dressing up in something new just to have a good time with it. You get to be someone other than yourself, and everyone is doing it with you, so you aren’t embarrassed (kind of like naked week). Not to mention all the great pictures from a night you will hopefully look fondly upon, barring any regretful hook-ups. An added benefit is that costumes are a great conversation starter. If it was just a normal party, it may be intimidating to walk up and try to talk to a girl (or guy) way out of your league because you don’t really know them and would not be sure what to even talk about. Well, insert a theme, and “voilà” - instant conversation starter. Over the past two weeks I have seen some awesome Snickers (or Snookers), Rock of Love girls, and Ski Bunnies (but by far the most original was Meerkat Manner…CW). Because of the group comradery over the theme, everyone becomes much more approachable. When it comes to these themes, no one is forcing girls to dress in an unbecoming manner. If they did not want to dress like that, they wouldn’t. The women at Denison are strong, independent thinkers. Plus the fact, most theme parties are thought up by the girls here anyway.
To be honest, I am a little offended you called the guys out on Denison’s campus for not dressing in theme. I know we enjoy it just as much as some of the girls, because it is something different than the standard collar shirt or polo. Where else other than college can I dress up as a member of Tool Academy, a ski bum and The Situation, all in a two-week span. It’s like being a little kid again, except with a different type of juice. Also, it seems like at the end of the night, most of the time the guys are wearing less clothes than the girls.
To conclude my response, I would like to look to the future. In five years from now I will be at boring ass cocktail party, wearing the bland combination of a button down shirt and slacks. I will be having conversations on topics ranging from the Chinese economy to the need for green solutions to energy problems. I will be having these conversations and schmoozing with people I would rather….not talk to. So does any of this sound like the fun you had in college? Didn’t think so.
In summary: If you feel like a theme is degrading, talk to your social chair. Do not accuse women on this campus of having a lack of self-respect just because they choose to dress up to a theme – I’ve seen much more revealing outfits on a normal Friday night. Way to be such a Debbie downer, anyway. What are you going to complain about next, Halloween?

- A. Daniels