October 30, 1996

Over The Edge

Alternative Transportation Day

by Lise Wilson

On Sept. 13th, a group of
people gathered by the
roadside near the entrance to
UNBC, to support
carpooling motorists,
cyclists, and people on foot.
Another group was hanging
out half. way up the hill,
drinking water and eating
oranges. This was all part of
PIRG’s efforts to raise
awareness for ‘Alternative
Transportation Day’. The

MEN WORKING
TOWARDS THE
ELIMINATION OF
SEXISM AT UNBC?? IT’S
TRUE!

A small group of men are
meeting weekly to discuss the

problemis:¢reated by'sexism in’

our culture and to formulate
strategies to confront them.

BUT WHY?
Well, we have come to realize

main point being that there
are far too many people
driving to school in their
vehicles alone. In fact we
counted 231 “single
occupancy vehicles” during
the peak time between 9:00
a.m. and 9:30 am! WHAT
DIFFERENCE DOES
THAT MAKE? With
increased student enrollment,
parking lot spaces at UNBC
have proven to be
inadequate. There is nothing
worse then driving in circles

that patriarchy and the sexism
that results from it are men’s
problem, period. This is not to
say that women are not
affected, but it is up to men to
eliminate men’s sexist behavior
and men’s contribution to
patriarchy. (Quick definition of
patriarchy; i understand i it to.be -
tule by men, which our society
has been built around.) We have
also realized that guilt and
shame are useless,
defensiveness is unhealthy, and

in the parking lot when
you're late for class.

SO, how about walking,
taking the bus, riding your
bike: _of » Getter —-yet,
CARPOOLING! We
students need to support
public transportation, to
maintain it as a viable and
convenient service...what
would YOU rather see:
increased parking lots or
better bus service? However,
for some people driving is
mandatory, and as winter sets

silence is just as oppressive as
being outright sexist. This
group hopes to provide and
opportunity for men to
participate in positive action
towards ending sexism, while
respecting women’s work on
the same issues.

Some of the things that we hope

to accomplish are:

1. to educate ourselves and
other men about the effects of
patriarchy (which affects us
all), in a down to earth manner

in some of the alternatives
become less appealing.
CARPOOL? There is a
handy sign up list outside the
PIRG office so that people
can pool together to help
increase available parking
spaces, save on gas money,
and help cut back on
pollution (we all know that
more cards on the road mean
more pollution, and we all
know that Prince George has
a pollution problem). It is
also possible to carpool with

~* LP)

-
—e

(i.e. films, speaks, etc...)
2. to effectively confront sexist
behavior on campus, ranging
from everyday actions to the
negativity directed toward the
Women’s Centre by men.

3. to ‘stay completely
accountable to women (more
than half the world’s population
you know!) and working with
them towards achieving similar
goals,

and many more things too
numerous to mention.

‘people in your classes- just

ask around. And hey you
could also look at carpooling
as an excellent way to get to
know new people! Now
don’t you think we should
claim this year ‘Alternative
Transportation Year’?

‘WHO ARE WE AND WHO
ARE WE NOT?

We are not just “sensitive
guys trying to get laid. Do not
stereotype us, it will not make
us go away. Weare here, we are
serious, and we are not going
to take sexist shit anymore.

29

We need help! Meetings are
on Wednesdays at 12:30-
1:30pm in- the ever echoing
acoustic room (across from the
Bookstore). You can contact us
at the PGPIRG office (room 5-
174) or at 960-7474. Please feel
free to utilize the growing PIRG
library for anti-sexist material,
of other'related’topics.

Ray Proulx