SOUNDING OFF: Is chivalry too much to ask for?
Seth Davis
Opinions Editor
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Forum
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More often I hear it is alive, just not in the same form. According to the Oxford dictionary, chivalry in a historic context refers to 'men-at-arms,' or mounted and fully armed fighting-men, of the Middle Ages.
However, in modern times and in this situation, it is a social honor code in which one treats others, particularly men's treatment of ladies.
The reason I ask this is because last week I encountered a situation that made me question it.
I was sitting outside waiting for a fish fry that was put on by a male organization to start, when one of its members pulled up in their car with the last necessary items. When the member got of his car and walked away, three of the organization's members and two girls flocked to the car to retrieve it contents.
Honestly, the items that the three members had were very heavy but I was extremely disheartened to see one lady carrying two liters of cole slaw and a bag of buns and the other one carting a 24 pack of canned soda.
Now my issue with this is that there were at least ten members of this male organization sitting around as these two young ladies were sweating for the organization.
When I confronted one of them and tried to take the heavy load from them, they told me they wanted to help and would not let me take the load.
I do not blame these ladies for trying to help these men but I blame not only the organization but also every man in attendance that witnessed this travesty and did not try to stop it.
Men, have we lost our way on campus? When we put on events for the campus, the women should not have to do anything. Even if the ladies help, they should not have to or feel compelled to do the grunt of the work that the men should be doing.
Too many women on this campus have not been catered to like they should be. Women should not have to touch the door handle because there should be a young man there to hold the door for her.
I have also learned through my experience at B.L.A.C.K. Inc.'s Women's Appreciation that many women are not used to having a gentleman pull out a chair and seat them, which is unacceptable.
Ladies you should not accept any type of treatment. When you demand to be treated like a lady, men will think of you as a lady.
Kudos go to the men and organizations on campus who treat women with respect and chivalry.•
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
TP147
posted 4/14/09 @ 8:13 AM CST
First, I would like to say that I do agree; that a lot of the chilvary has died, but I try to do the best that I can. I open doors, wouldnt have let the women carry those heavy things, speak to women with respect, etc. (Continued…)
Larissa M. Bryant
posted 8/03/09 @ 12:48 PM CST
I agree with both comments. I do not condone the term "female" to describe young women however. I certainly believe both young men and women on our campus have a long way to go. (Continued…)
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