Pervert Meat

I just found out one of our new professors is gay. Of course, it would have been all nice, rosy and highly inconsequential except of course, for some academic interest and finally for some diversity in my boring college life if he had stopped at just that - being gay. The problem is that he is a pervert and not to mention, an unabashed lech. I have had some difficulty in reconciling myself to the fact that one of my teachers is a shameless and disgusting lech, the very thought of whom makes my insides squirm.

One of my classmates was told, albeit privately and ostensibly, also in jest that he should pull his pants down so that he could be recognised by this desperate gay schmuck! I was terribly appalled to say the least. It is simply an insult to the chair of the teacher that one is forced to abuse the person occupying it in such degrading terms. And I fail to understand how the University has managed the terrible feat of stooping so low in its policy considerations and administration that this klutz, of all respectable and learned people in the world provides the last (and only) resort to the University's current pathetic state of affairs by graciously agreeing to take up this course! I shudder to think about the plight of the juniors whose education suffers unfairly and unwarrantedly in the hands of institutions with such abominable lack of foresight. God bless them all! And I thank my stars - for the first time in the day today - for this being my last year in this University. I am concerned, scared and at the same time, relieved at some level.

Anyway, back to the point. Most guys in class are, of course, up in arms against this guy and are driving the concerned authorities desperate to find an alternative or chuck him out. Either way, it isn't going to work out. He has been the last and only oasis in the desert for the University. Which takes care of the second choice. The reaction of the guys brings in the form of a outrage brings with it feelings of pleasant surprise along with some memories. And mind you, this reaction is well before the latest sexual banter of Mr. Pervert with the student. These are sad memories of the very same guys not standing up for a fellow classmate and a girl who happened to be in a similar situation, thanks to another male member of my class.

It was her mistake, they said. She wore such clothes, they said. She behaved in such a way, they said. He committed no sin, they said. He is being demonised, they said. Sheik Taj Din al-Hilali, Australia's senior-most muslim cleric called women uncovered meat. They attract "sexual predators", he said. They will be eaten by the "cats", he said. It isn't the cat's fault - oh no! The problem is with the meat, not the cat.

And one fine day, this gay teacher comes along promptly subjecting him - the guy to stares, gestures, banter and actions (you know, all those normal things) which are, to her - the girl, simply reminiscent of the everyday happenings in our lives, and whoa - they are all up in arms. This is sexual harassment, they scream. They are ready to revolt, to make noise, yell, disrupt peace and generally gather attention. Last known, a guy was nearly in tears at the idea of having to suffer the pervert's gaze for four consecutive hours (which may extend to six since he cannot keep track of time!) every week. Wonderful! Welcome to her world!

Not a day passes without her shoulders being rubbed against, without her body being the object of the lustful gaze of many pairs of eyes, without her physical attributes being commented upon, without being whistled at by absolute strangers, without her being felt up, messed with and objectified. At the end of the day, she only ends up developing a thick skin but finds very little support or understanding from him.

Finally, he can at least empathise with her, if not support her. And that in itself, is going a long way.

Thank you, Mr. Pervert! And for the record, you disgust me still.