Pink stink

Apologies for not feeding the blog beast very frequently this week.

Just as well. That's because something I meant to write about on Monday has seen new developments.

Specifically this:

SAO PAULO–A Brazilian university student expelled for wearing a short, pink dress to class was accused of immorality by the college in newspaper ads on Sunday.

The private Bandeirantes University in Sao Bernardo do Campo said 20-year-old Geisy Arruda disrespected "ethical principles, academic dignity and morality."

The institution published ads accusing Arruda – who had been heckled by students – of attending class with "inadequate clothing" and having a provocative attitude that was "incompatible with the university environment."

Arruda made headlines after the Oct. 22 incident, in which she had to be escorted away by police.

Yes, dear Broadsides reader, a university in Brazil, the land that put the carnal in Carnival and invented the string bikini plus the wax job that leaves nothing to the imagination, slut-shamed a student just for wearing a pink mini-dress to class.

You want to know how bad it was?

Watch:

Yes, I know you probably don't speak Portuguese. But what those students are yelling is ''Puta!'' -- which means "Whore!''

More from Broadsheet's Julia Furlan, who does speak the lingo:

According to one of her lawyers, Nehemias Melo, the university forced her to go through a three-hour deposition, where she was asked super-relevant questions about whether or not she was sexually active.

<SNIP>

Brazil's Ministry of Education immediately opened an investigation into the expulsion and gave the university 10 business days to explain fully. Quoth the university's legal counsel: "It's not the clothes. It's the attitude that Geisy had, for example of going upstairs and stopping in the middle of the hall, lifting her skirt." University representatives were quoted on Sunday in their best legalese, stating that she "was on the premises wearing inadequate garments," and that "on the day of the event, the student took a longer route [around the school] and increased her visibility."

You mean she prowled the premises like a cat in heat? Or was wearing heels that were a little too high to walk comfortably in?

Oh give me a break.

If Arruda had lifted her skirt -- which she denies doing -- you'd think somebody would have a shot of it, since multiple mobile phone videos of the incident have popped up online. But there is none. Which is why I am inclined to believe her.

Anyway, looks like I am not the only one. The latest news is that the university had to reinstate her

The dean of the private college in suburban Sao Paulo released a statement Monday announcing the reversal, without saying why it had decided to let her back in.

One of Arruda's lawyers, Nehemias Domingos de Melo, said Arruda had not been officially notified of the decision to reinstate her. He said he remained cautious about the prospects of her going back to school.

"She can only return with some safety guarantees," he told reporters.

Perhaps a burka would work for these people?

Comments

[t s]

The students look like a pack of hyenas about to pounce on their prey -- the world is sad.

[Dr.Dawg]

The crazy thing is, it's not even that short a skirt.

[Jim M]

"I wanna tell you all a story about..."
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Harper_Valley_PTA/21681992

[Dr.Dawg]

As I reflect on this, the anthropologist in me makes me step back and ask why? To me (and Antonia) this simply makes no sense--the contradictions are glaring. But evidently it makes sense to the Brazilians. How can they be near-nude on the beaches but ready to start a riot over a miniskirt at a university?

Clearly Brazilian culture is marked by deep compartmentalization of various public and quasi-public spaces. I'd really like to know more.

[Ashley]

What on earth? A massive riot over a skirt? That's just insane!