Student’s found that their voices could not be heard at today’s protest due to the strips of duct tape covering their mouths.
“We want Bennet to open his ears and hear our demands, we want to be taken seriously,” said Sarah Katz ’06 before placing a piece of silver tape over her mouth.
The interview ended shortly thereafter.
Complaining of lack of communication between the administration and the student body, concerned community members took the advice of newly formed group “WeShutUp.” Dedicated to using metaphor to provoke change, WeShutUp suggested the self-silencing would leave an impression on Bennet.
“Considering the fact that Bennet is unable to hear us when we are shouting in his face we decided to show that he is not the only one who silences us,” said Suzanne Heyward ’07, president of WeShutUp.
Hoping to influence Bennet’s unilateral approach to policy change over three hundred students and about twenty faculty members showed up for the protest.
“The act of taping our mouths shut represents Bennet’s ability to make our voices matter less,” Heyward said.
In response to the group’s efforts Bennet decided to cancel plans to affiliate WESU, implemented a gender-blind hall, revoked the chalking ban and created an ethnic studies department in one fell swoop.
Despite the minor glitches, WeShutUp’s new approach proved highly laudable.
“We were so pleased with Bennet’s reaction to the silence,” Heyward said. “Now that those demands are being met we are deciding what to ask for next.”
Several students were sent to the Health Center to undergo treatment for allergic reactions to the tape.
“Apparently the brand of duct tape we selected was not made for prolonged contact with human skin,” Matthew Miller ’08 said. “Approximately twelve students now have rectangular rashes lining their faces.”
At one o’clock, not wanting to be late for classes, protesters shed their silvery tape. Ten minutes later several members of the janitorial staff were called in to clean up.
“Tape was stuck everywhere,” said Marc Coleman, janitorial assistant. “We had to use special glue removal due to the heavy-duty brand of tape the students choose. It was stuck to trees, on columns and even on car windows.”
Although Bennet was warned ahead of time of the students’ plans to protest, he waited patiently in his office to hear their concerns.
Some expressed concern about the connotations of the duct tape.
“Using duct tape reminded me too much of necessary security tactics post September 11,” said Alan Montgomery ’08. “I don’t appreciate the blasé use of Homeland Security devices.”
“Truthfully I was surprised that the students came to me to be heard, but didn’t say a word,” he said.
Bennet reacted positively to the protestors.
“I appreciate the care and concern the students show for campus politics,” he said. “Today’s protest taught me a valuable lesson: If I try hard enough they will just be quiet for a second.”
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