A new student organization began promoting themselves last month. SASS, which stands for Students Against Sexism in Society, is led by Jordan Tarter, English sophomore.
Many colleges recognize SASS as an organization dedicated to women’s issues, gender equality and fighting all types of prejudice.
SASS began at the university last year, when a group of about six students collaborated to make posters, zines and host pop-up events. The founding members were mostly seniors, so they passed the organization down to Tarter.
The organization meets from 2-4 p.m. each Friday in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. The meetings are come-and-go, so students can stay or leave whenever they want.
“During these meetings we discuss things that aren’t so great,” said Lysa Engle, film production sophomore and SASS event coordinator. “We have discussed the culture of slut-shaming, how heteronormativity affects people, and one time we even listened to a song and talked about how awful the lyrics were. It’s a fun time.”
SASS focuses on sexism, racism, heteronormativity, and homophobia.
“We are very much just an equality organization,” Engle said.
Tarter said she has benefitted from SASS and thinks others will too.
“I see that there are a lot of misconceptions about equality, feminism and what it really means to be open and non-judgemental, and I think that there needs to be a group who can take a stand and change the way people see OCU and each other,” Tarter said. “SASS has given me an outlet to change people and reach out to a campus and pull people together. People have told me that they share a lot of our ideas in SASS, and this has finally given them an outlet.”
About eight or nine students usually attend the meeting every week, and SASS members said they definitely want more students to come.
“I don’t care if you’re liberal or Republican,” Tarter said. “Any student can come and join.”
SASS members are in the process of planning their next event, “Pizza for Protection.” Details have not been determined, but nationwide, this event typically involves free pizza, condoms and information about safe sex.
To find more information about SASS, like the group’s facebook page, OCU SASS, or email Tarter at jatarter@my.okcu.edu.
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