Image source: YouTube
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
See What a College Bookstore Was Selling That Had Some Complaining of 'Rape Culture
September 20, 2015
"This product is sexist, misogynist, and dehumanizing."
A university bookstore apologized and pulled a gag gift that was leftover from Valentine's Day after students and professors complained that the product was sexist and promoted "rape culture."
West Chester University, a public university in Pennsylvania, sold small blow-up dolls in the campus bookstore as gag gifts during the Valentine's Day holiday. The dolls, both male and female, stand at only 6 inches tall and are not sex toys, a university official told Philly.com. However, as the male doll had sold out, only the female doll remained in the bookstore for $7.99 and with the packages' description reading "perfect female specimen enclosed," several students and faculty members took to social media to demand an apology.
Hey good people of @WCUofPA !
For just a mere $7.99 you can get "the perfect female specimen" from our very own @wcu_bookstore !
— ʟondoɴ.ღ (@_larisamarie) September 17, 2015
Non-talking
Self-inflating (super important)
Disposable OR reusable!
Oh and you have to beat her to open up! What a deal!! @WCUofPA
— ʟondoɴ.ღ (@_larisamarie) September 17, 2015
Hey @WCUofPA why are you contributing to rape culture by selling self-inflating dolls in our university bookstore? pic.twitter.com/uYvsoASWKs
— ʟondoɴ.ღ (@_larisamarie) September 18, 2015
Hey @WCUofPA, did you know this product you're selling in your university bookstore promotes gender-based violence? pic.twitter.com/yKXyL64FLC
— ʟondoɴ.ღ (@_larisamarie) September 18, 2015
This product is sexist, misogynist, and dehumanizing. Why is this in your university bookstore @WCUofPA ? pic.twitter.com/kQ7iyGozK6
— ʟondoɴ.ღ (@_larisamarie) September 18, 2015
Not okay to sell at the BOOKSTORE @WCUofPA pic.twitter.com/IGM6XhOmSC
— Jennifir Albino (@AlbinoJennifir) September 17, 2015
Hey @WCUofPA why do u sell inflatable sex girls in the bookstore??? Jw
— Danielle (@DMat84) September 17, 2015
.@wcu_bookstore @_larisamarie @WCUofPA yes. We need a real apology and presidential commitment to a safe campus.
— Dr. Lisa Ruchti (@DrLisaRuchti) September 19, 2015
.@WCUofPA students, demand better! You pay for and are worthy of a safe and equitable campus climate. https://t.co/pRedebOn76
— Dr. Lisa Ruchti (@DrLisaRuchti) September 19, 2015
@WCUofPA tell me, do you officially endorse violence against women? or do you just think that its funny?
— katyusha (@phoenixref) September 19, 2015
@WCUofPA we're trying to create a safe campus & esp w the green dot program. but when the bookstore sells a product that promotes violence?
— katyusha (@phoenixref) September 19, 2015
According to a commercial promoting the product, users simply punch the "Sensational Inflatable's" bag and shake it, which causes the small doll to pop out. Both the male and female appear to be in their underwear.
WCU's bookstore did issue an apology on Twitter and removed the product from their store although it was not accepted by some.
We apologize for any offense this may have caused. We have removed the 6in "inflate-a-date" from the sales floor. @_larisamarie @WCUofPA
— WCU Campus Store (@wcu_bookstore) September 18, 2015
@wcu_bookstore @WCUofPA so keep your apology. Do better.
— ʟondoɴ.ღ (@_larisamarie) September 18, 2015
@wcu_bookstore @WCUofPA offense is an understatement. It's sickening that our university would promote misogyny and sexism.
— ʟondoɴ.ღ (@_larisamarie) September 18, 2015
Jill McDevitt, a sexologist previously from West Chester, said the doll exists in a world where women are oftentimes objectified against and punched.
"[T]o have this product sold on a college campus breeds a culture in which this type of behavior toward women is normal, and even cute or funny," McDevitt told Philly.com.
Loretta MacAlpine, CWU spokesperson, said the gift was simply meant to be a joke for students around Valentine's Day but admitted it was "tasteless."
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
more stories
Sign up for the Blaze newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.