My Little Corner Of Newspaper

Back in my college days I was not only super cool, I was also the photo editor of the school newspaper. And, with my interest in writing, I contributed articles and had my own little "social" corner of the paper in each weekly edition. I can't remember for the life of me what it was called, but I would chose a random question each week and ask whoever I happened to run into throughout my week. This little section was mighty popular. One that, honestly, people often flipped to immediately to see who was in it and what ridiculous things they had to say.

I got thinking about this little weekly column as I was playing Suzie Homemaker this afternoon. I made homemade guacamole because, well, it is one of two things that I can actually make pretty decently. Then, a little later, I made Jeff a calzone, followed by some no-bake cookies. May I add that no-bake does not necessarily mean easy. Anyways, it was more the mess I made that got me thinking than all of the cooking.

I was never much of a trouble maker; never got into any trouble. But, one of the last newspapers we put out my senior year caused a slight uproar. My question of the week simply, "Can you tell me your favorite joke?" The first joke was very typical. Something along the lines of "What kind of cheese isn't yours? Nacho cheese." The other two jokes that were given were seen as demeaning. Demeaning, of all things, to women. Something that I was, and still am.

The two jokes that sent a few certain professors into a tizzy were: "How do you fix your broken dishwasher? Slap her and tell her to get back to work," and "How many women does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None, they can cook in the dark."

Now me, I am all about women's rights, powerful women, equality, and all that good stuff. However, I can't help but laugh every time I hear those stupid jokes. Maybe it's partly because they are so ridiculous, but come on, they are funny. I did not hear any complaints from students, however I heard through the grapevine that some female professors felt as though my little side-column had set the women's rights movement back 25 years.

I never knew I had so much power!