My View

by Sarah J. Rutherford

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

I've been at university for a whole semester now, and while I was informed that I would find a better class of people there - I have my doubts.

First and foremost one must accept that certain standards of attitude and behaviour prevail across the wide gamete of all community. Secondly, human nature transcends all situations and conditions, including education, so biases, bigotry etc, do not have boundaries, they are usually found everywhere. Thirdly, society builds barriers and eagerly exports them to its members, such barriers, are consciously or unconsciously conveyed in the form of people's attitudes.

In the early days of university it was just a case of silly looks, laughter, or other people's uncontrolled curiosity, and while there was some occasional malice noticeable, it was negligible. Later however, it became a noticeable question of space that was becoming a problem, for during lectures and tutorials I couldn't help but be aware of the empty chairs around me. Meanwhile, some students were sitting on the floor, tables or standing, rather than sit down. Evidently, discomfort was preferable to being teased by other students about sitting next to the "tranny", or at worst, legitimising my existence among the "norms".

The next occurrence was then naturally no surprise, as in several classes some students (young and mature age) refused to work with me, or even acknowledge my presence in the same room. Oh how I dream of such wonderful invisibility, but not quite to that degree!

Of course over the semester I saw it all, and I have to say that despite the enormous range of imaginations at university, there was little originality or creativity in their abuse.

This then is my academic world, where one expects to find better understanding, more consideration of thought and feeling, and yes, even the acceptance and value of difference; after all, where else would you find the best of society's weirdo's collectively active, than in a university.

Sadly I must report that so far I have seen very little intelligence of any great renown in uni, and that also includes certain staff. It would seem for many, students and staff alike, that the vacuum of cranial space is of no immediate concern. That however, is humanity, a wonderful mix of illusion and delusion. Illusions of self importance, value, normality and uniqueness, and the added bonus of the delusion that everyone else is impressed and not thinking of themselves.

I really am enjoying university, now that I have overcome the awe of it all. If one will pardon the cliché, I can not only see the wood for the trees, but the spaces between them, and with this revelation in mind I realise most sincerely one all important factor about being human:

Bullshit knows no bounds!

I finish with a small poem, which I think says succinctly what I feel about some people and their responses.

Do you truly understand yourself,
Are you aware of each nuance, each detail,
Can you list all your faults and qualities,
Is your heart good, your mind truly open?
Will you always be honest with yourself,
Do you accept all difference without question,
Would you aid others, no matter what risk,
Have you the capacity for compassion or empathy?
Is your vision clear and unclouded,
Does the understanding of balance mean something,
What difference do your expectations make,
And can you see beyond all that you have learnt?
If you cannot be sure or answer completely,
if you are unable to comply to the list,
Then what right have you to judge others?

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.