A thoughtful return
Heathrow. Noise. People. Lift. Down. Bored faces, anguished twitches, overloaded travellers - that will be me. Lift. Up. English. Latins. International. Strange how in this little metal box, you actually get a pretty good idea of the cultural diversity that the world holds. A rich microcosm enclosed in cheap steel. Out. Central Bus Station. I struggle along to the buses. Oxford Link. Queue. Shit. Tired. Really not in the mood to wait. Pick a victim. Male. In front. Found-an honourable US citizen, obviously new to the place: he's griping his pillow. Smile. "Excuse me, does this bus go to Oxford?" Men love to feel needed. How sweet. He lets me infront of him.
As I board the bus, I'm amazed to see the amount of freshers around. They are always so excited. Looking through my window, I ponder their history. What do they expect from Oxford? And what does this institution expect from them? I remember arriving here last year. Daunted by the place. Daunted by the history of the place. Amazing. Inspiring. But very male dominated. You feel it. Almost all famous Oxford graduates are men. With the few exceptions of women we would rather forget. Margaret Thatcher. Male tutors. Male lecturers. Male academics.
But let us not exaggerate. There have been astounding changes over the last few decades, especially when one takes into account that some colleges became co-ed as recently as 1980. Women are gaining ground, both at JCR and SCR level. We have women's officers, female spaces, a page in the news, effective security, 'no means no' campaigns. Indeed, many ask "do we really still need a women's officer?" After all, some feel that it has become 'superfluous' if not 'discriminatory'. It is true that most colleges have a fair admissions system; true that in Oxford, much is done for women, by women. Fortunately, so far I have never felt discriminated in college, nor do I know of anyone who has been. However, let us not forget that all this is because there is such a thing as women's representation, because women are organised and get projects going. Such as the nightline bus project protecting women by offering safe transport during the night.
But this lack of discrimination may well be a false illusion we are bathing in whilst disconnected from everyday realities. The United Nations have recently published a report on the situation of women in the world. The figures reflecting women's situation in the world contrast crudely with our cosy Oxford world. Only 1% of the world's wealth is in the hands of women. How much will our generation hold?
Oxford is fine. Could be better. Should not let it become an isolated bubble. After all, you will be out of it sometime. Let us not forget what has been done for us. Continue it. Pursue it. Connect with the reality of the world outside, the reality of all the women struggling to survive.
...I waved off to my charming US guy. There was no more room on the bus. Hum. It's tough being a guy. Sometimes.
5th Oct 2000