Free speach while freshening

This semester, I have to spend a lot of time in Ballantine Hall. There are some reasons this sucks — the confusing ground floor vs. first floor and the general high school/prison vibe the building gives off, for instance. But I’ve begun noticing something pretty cool about Ballantine as well.

Throughout the girl’s bathrooms, someone has written a political manifesto, calling for the rebellion of the underprivileged.

Someone else has written a short encouraging note about getting through tough times. Lots of people have written snarky rebuttals to both of these messages, and more.
They are removed pretty quickly, and new messages are rewritten even quicker and funnier than before.

Though each note is eventually painted over in the attempt to keep the bathrooms looking clean and academic, since it’s against the rules to deface school property, I love that these words get to be shared even briefly.

So much of women’s speech is controlled by someone other than themselves.
Self-publishing for anyone has got to be liberating, but especially for women.

Even though women represent a little more than half the population, they are continuously underrepresented in the media. Women own less than 7 percent of all television and radio station licenses.

Generally, women’s words have to, at some point, be examined and pass through a male gaze to make it through to the rest of the world. Whether it’s through an editor or a critic, a man’s perspective will be considered when determining whether her words are valid.

It is this public standard that makes the girl’s room graffiti so interesting. These words won’t be judged by a male perspective.

Only women can write them, and only women can read them. The authors of the stall sonnets are free from having to consider what a male critic might say to her anonymous confession.

She can’t be censored or judged by the male gaze, which is a rare space for women.
Within the confines of typical society, which tends to lean towards a man’s perspective, women are often perceived as catty toward each other. In main forms of media, they are rarely seen as interacting at all.

However, on the walls of our restrooms, we generally seem to lean toward supporting each other.

Even when comments are about hating math, responses will let the author know she’s not alone.

Most comments veer towards funny, but almost all have an inclusionary feel. Women are free to talk about real emotions where no one will judge them.

The sisterhood is real on the anonymous stall walls. I think it’s interesting that, when removed from a society that projects negative tropes like pettiness and competitiveness, none of those characteristics are exhibited.

It might be impossible for women to have freedom from the male gaze anywhere else, but I take comfort that free-thinking, slightly delinquent women will always have a place on the wall in bathroom stalls.

jordrile@indiana.edu
@RiledUp IDS