by Lori Cruz
Editorial Director
“Castrate Rapists” and “Tell someone, because it’s not your fault,” were two sayings written on bright orange and red t-shirts by students in support of the national Clothesline Project.
Iota Delta is sponsoring the Clothesline Project as part of its philanthropy for the third year in a row. The Project began on Monday with paints and t-shirts available for anyone wishing to make a shirt that will be sent to Washington, D.C., for display.
The various colors of the shirts represent different acts of violence against women and children.
Red, pink and orange t-shirts represent rape and sexual assault while blue and green represent incest and sexual assault against children. White is the color for women who die as a result of violence against them and purple for women who are attacked due to their sexual orientation.
“We see the most red, orange and pink shirts along with yellow and beige, which stands for battery and physical abuse,” said Par Nag, junior and vice president of the sorority. She said that these shirts also represent the national average.
Diana Verduzco, a freshman, painted a red shirt because, “Women have the right to decided whatever they want to do all the time. They shouldn’t be pressured into doing anything that they don’t want to do.”
Jessica Tejeda, freshman, said, “I wrote that it should be mandatory for rapists to have AIDS tests and the results should go to their victims. Now, rapists have the choice to decide if they want to take an AIDS test and I think that should be mandatory.”
Senior Shelvin Lal said he made a shirt for two reasons.
“One,” he said, “was because I am a man and I support Iota Delta and another reason is, I support this cause of non-violence against women. It’s one thing to have the females out here supporting this cause but you need guys out here as well.”
Jennifer Pashone, a junior and member of Iota Delta, said the reason they do this is to “air society’s dirty laundry.”
“The purpose is to make the population aware of what is happening out there,” said Nag. “It’s a great cause and we see a lot of participation. People can see for themselves when the shirts are displayed on Friday.”
The Project is the last act in honor of Women’s History Month, which was in March. Nag said that due to scheduling problems, the sorority could not put on the project last month.
“This is our all-out shebang to end the month,” said Nag.
The t-shirts will be on display Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the quad. Shirts and paints will also be available for those who wish to make a shirt Friday.
Lori Cruz
