Today I am ashamed to be a member of a University whose leadership can only be categorized as reactionary. The Jesuit Order has long been at the forefront of emerging societal issues, but by banning the performance of the Vagina Monologues on campus the University has taken a Brobdingnagian step towards the Middle Ages. Fr. Byron’s suggestion for woman to wear less sexually suggestive clothing is precisely the reason the Monologues need to occur. The victim is not responsible for the crime of rape, as many men fail to recognize. Fr. Byron says that more tasteful means exist to raise awareness about women’s issues. I challenge Fr. Byron to explain why raising awareness of rape, female genital mutilation, and a history female oppression by males needs to be tasteful. Hearing a rape victim recount her experience is far from tasteful. The campus community must confront these realities in all their horror. The Jesuits have no female members in their ranks. It is therefore understandable why they would be hesitant to allow the performance on campus of something men can never fully understand; something that strikes at the very heart of societal patriarchy. However, if society is ever to learn from the mistakes of the past, we must confront those mistakes no matter how “offensive” they may be. I have seen the Vagina Monologues performed on several occasions and I continually applaud the courage of the women who give of themselves to raise awareness of one aspect of what it means to be a woman. I would encourage Fr. Byron and every member of the University Community to see the monologues. Until you have seen the Monologues and until you strive to understand what they mean, I would reserve judgment.