Battle RoyElle celebrates free speech

By Justin Crouch

Students at University of Windsor in the Free Speech Association group held an event called  “Battle RoyElle: A Discussion on Feminism” at the Vanier Hall campus.

Taking place Feb 16, Friday, the event was managed by group president Mark Dumaine and moderator Dee Cober.

“As moderator my job is to keep the conversation going and to hit as many topics as possible. I don’t want to leave any stone unturned,“ said Cober.

The event was opened to a live audience as well as viewers from home via live stream who could afterwards participate with a question and answer period. Small papers were available to drop in a comment box for discussion, while comments via Facebook were submitted by livestream viewers.

During the event, five guest speakers presented and discussed their opinions with each other. Many topics, from personal perspectives on various issues, to hard-hitting topics like abortion were presented and their discussions were civil.

Dumaine believed the feminist views expressed would be more in tone with the audience than the opposing views, according to what he refers to as ‘the state of society today.’

Dumaine said he was pleased with the variety of perspectives from the panel.

“We have an islamic feminist who will be on here, another who is more of your modern day feminist,” Dumaine said. “We have more of a ‘classic’ feminist from the first and second wave who is pro-life. Feminism is seen to be pro-choice today so we’re having a pro-life feminist on there.”

A speaker at the event, Tasha Riley, said she considers herself a womanist. She volunteered to voice woman’s issues and give her opinion to those who may not agree.

“My intentions are so that everyone can take a piece away. I’m interested in the other views as well, particularly the ones that contrast mine so I’m looking forward to it,” said Riley.

The UWindsor Free Speech Association holds weekly gatherings at predetermined campus locations. To keep track of upcoming events, check out their Facebook page; “The UWindsor Free Speech Association.”