More offensive than the play Vagina Monologues is the way college administrators have censored light-hearted criticism of the play, even as they turn a blind eye to the gender-based contempt that Vagina Monologues fosters. These administrators seem less concerned about even-handed treatment of all students than they are about pandering to powerful interest-groups.

The best example of this hypocrisy was the reaction of Roger Williams University to the spoof The Penis Monologues, as reported by Christina Hoff Sommers in her National Review article Why Can't They "Just Get Along"? (http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/sommers200505020808.asp)

Sommers reports that Edward J. Kavanagh, Provost of Roger Williams University, was so scandalized at being greeted by the play's costumed penis-mascot "Testaclese" that he seized the costume and placed students Monique Stuart and Andy Mainiero on probation for creating the spoof.

V-Day, the New-York-based organization devoted to getting campuses nationwide to do Valentines Day productions of Vagina Monologues, reports that Roger Williams University is making the school's fieldhouse available for this year's Vagina Monologues presentation. (http://events.vday.org/2006/College/Roger_Williams_University)

Do we conclude that Provost Kavanagh, so offended by the appearance of the spoof penis-costume, is unperturbed by the prospect of the RWU Fieldhouse filled with women loudly chanting "C**t", as happens in the play's "Reclaiming C**t" section? Does the RWU administration approve of the idea that child-rape is good rape if it's committed by a lesbian, as sympathetically portrayed in "The Little Coochie Snorcher that Could"? Does the RWU administration think the university should encourage its female students to abandon studying for successful careers and instead seek fulfillment as dominatrixprostitutes specializing in whips, handcuffs and ropes, as glowingly portrayed in "The Woman Who Loved To Make Vaginas Happy"?

RWU president Roy J. Nirschel has stated, in an open letter to the university community (http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=10394) "the university will not condone publications that create a hostile environment for our students and community." What could create a more hostile environment for male students than Vagina Monologues' consistently hostile portrayal of males as brutal oppressors?

This week, please write a letter to your local newspaper pointing out how Roger Williams University is a prime example of the hypocrisy demonstrated by colleges all across the country that permit hate-speech from favored members of the student community while using an iron fist to suppress simple satire from disfavored groups.

If you happen to know sympathetic RWU alumni, please ask them to write letters too.

Date of RADAR Release: February 12, 2006

R.A.D.A.R. – Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting – is a network of concerned men and women working to assure that the problem of domestic violence is treated in a balanced and effective manner. http://www.mediaradar.org.