Fresh row over some very blurred lines

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The row over banning Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ was reignited today after a DJ played the track at refreshers fair. 

Slammed as sexist as promoting rape culture, the track was only banned from all fresher’s events. Although it can now be played, some students are furious that this was allowed to happen – given the Union’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy.

The sexist track was played as part of a dance routine…

The track was played as part of a dance performance at the Refreshers’ Fair in the O2 Academy on campus around 11:45am.

Leicester graduate and feminist Lizzy Fry thinks the ban should be permanent. She added: “I think it’s a real shame that they only chose to ban the song during freshers week – as if their zero tolerance policy was for freshers week only.

“The lyrics of the song and the implications behind them haven’t changed since October. If the song is banned, it should be a permanent ban, otherwise how can the union say they are serious about zero tolerance?”

The video drew mixed reaction on facebook…

The track – that includes the lyrics ‘I’ll give you something big enough to tear your ass in two’ – landed Thicke the title of Sexist of the Year.

Refreshers’ Fair at the O2 Academy

Other students have contested the issue. At the time of the ban, the union were criticised for telling students what they can and cannot listen to.

Alex Thomas Squire, a second year Global Environmental Change MSc student, said students shouldn’t get too worked up about the song.

He added: “Yes some of the lyrics could be interpreted as promoting sexual harassment but I don’t think that is a good reason to ban it. Some people may just like the song to dance to and not take any notice of the lyrics.

“Chances are a lot of students at Leicester like the song, but I’m not sure how many want it to be banned. Although, it is a bit hypocritical [of the Union] to go back on their decision.”

At the time of publication Rachel Holland, Leicester’s Women’s Officer, was unavailable to comment.

Zero Tolerance?

This is not the first time the SU have failed to uphold their Zero Tolerance policy.

The hip hop clown Tim Westwood unleashed a torrent of grim sexist gags during his gig at the union on October 5.

In a performance to 2000 students, the 56-year-old made a series of explicit comments to the crowd, many of whom are 38 years younger than him – meaning he could legally be their grandfather.

One student mocked Westwood on Instagram

Students attending the We <3 R&B event, part of the Freshers Week events programme, told how the former Pimp My Ride host yelled a series of bizarre jokes, including:

• “Girls keep your pussies tight and clean.”
• “Girl in the front row with the black dress on, I will be fucking you later.”
• “Security have told me you need to wear a sports bra.”

At the time, Fresher Laurie Peters said: “Through the whole night he was being very vulgar towards the women in the audience.

“It was uncomfortable and inappropriate in my opinion to ask which 18 year olds in the audience want to get their “pussy” out and to tell someone that he would be “fucking” her later on in the night. I felt it was practically confrontational.”

Do you agree with a permanent ban according to the Zero Tolerance policy? Or, do you have a zero tolerance policy on killjoys?