Fellow members of the Notre Dame Community:
I hope I speak for all the women of the Notre Dame community when I express my deep disappointment regarding the events that occurred during the last home football game at Notre Dame. During halftime of the USC game, I was appalled by the behavior of the boys of Notre Dame and Holy Cross; the cheers, ovation, and poignant remarks that were directed toward the women cheerleaders of USC as they left the field were extremely offensive and degrading, not only to the women to whom these actions were directed, but to all women. I find it disgusting and degrading that these individuals, who call themselves the men of Notre Dame, would act in such a way when representing the Notre Dame community.
As a Los Angeles native, I am disappointed in their promotion of such a negative stereotype and the demeaning way in which they focused attention on those women, and all women, as mere sexual objects.
As a woman, I am appalled by their complete disregard for human dignity and equality. As a student and member of the Holy Cross community, I am deeply saddened by the actions of my peers. We are ND; together, we represent more than 150 years of Catholic faith and tradition. As members of this community, it is our obligation to provide an example to all young adults and be witnesses to our faith. The events I mentioned in no way served to spread our Catholicism to the world. If anything, they showed that the men of Notre Dame do not value the Catholic reputation of this community and are not brave enough to challenge stereotypical views of women, do the right thing, respect those around them, and embrace and spread their Catholic faith.
Respectfully in Christ,
Marilynn Anater
sophomore
Regina Hall
Oct. 30
