Brazillian student's little pink miniskirt offers social commentary

A month or so ago, a cartoonish controversy erupted after a Brazilian university student showed up for class in a pink mini-dress. She was greeted with outrage and lewd comments. Geisy Villa Nova Arruda, a 20-year-old student at Bandeirante University, a private institution, was subjected to a mass of her peers chanting “whore” and “slut” when she arrived for her lessons clothed in more than flattering attire. She was forced into covering herself with a white lab coat and eventually had to be escorted from the building. When she attempted to leave campus, though, students blocked her path and began to kick her car. University officials issued a statement that Arruda had been expelled for “gestures” and “attitudes” she had manifested, not because of her short outfit. Hours later, the dean of the university released a note reversing the decision.
Speaking to Folha Online, a Brazilian Internet journal, the weekend following the incident, Arruda expressed bewilderment and disappointment at the university’s initial decision. She was quoted as saying, “I was the victim. How can I be expelled? It’s absurd.” She went on to tell of how she learned of the expulsion through the news media in lieu of any written notification. She claimed that university officials had told her that she would be able to return to class accompanied by a security guard.
I was completely taken aback when I first heard this story on the BBC’s “World Have Your Say.” I mean, come on. Really? Expelled for wearing a mini-dress? And to be subjected to other students screaming “whore” at you and attempting to prevent you from leaving? Maybe I’m just jaded. Walking through campus on any given day I would have to blindfold myself to not see hundreds of wonderfully welcome sundresses, mini-dresses, cut-off shorts and a myriad of revealing fashion choices.
What makes this story ever more baffling is its setting. Brazil is infamous for its beautiful beaches and barely clothed beach bodies. And let’s not forget the reputation of Carnival, during which a naked body is far from random. What makes this event scary is the reaction from Arruda’s peers. In a video on YouTube, you can see first-hand the controversy sparked by this incident. What does this episode teach us about society at large? Why is it newsworthy?
This conflict represents the clash of ideals espoused in different social contexts. While renowned for scantily clad beach- goers and hedonistic celebrations of Carnival, Brazil is predominantly Catholic. Most university students dress modestly. We can relate to this here at USD. It may prove a worthy debate in which to engage. When is it appropriate to deviate from the prevailing religious ideal?
The hypocrisy evident in this debate is striking. The next time you see a provocatively dressed member of the opposite sex just ask yourself, “What would justify calling that person a whore, slut or some equally derisive epithet?” My answer, “Leave me out of it. I’m just going to keep my mouth shut and enjoy the view.”