“A penis is a vagina on steroids,” Those were the terrible words that American Flatbread founder George Schenk uttered in his commencement speech at Colchester High School, according to a reporter who probably doesn’t want to be named.
Schenk was warning students of the health risks of smoking, among which he named erectile dysfunction in men and similar problems in women. It was here that he compared female equipment to male.
He said he only meant to get the kids’ attention. Mission accomplished.
But the words were considered so assaultive — several sources named grandmothers as particularly vulnerable — that the district issued an apology to the community and embargoed broadcast of the speech on community TV.
And, as Ken Picard reported this week, no media, er, organ would print the sentence (until now).
Perhaps editors could not substantiate its biological accuracy.
Ed. Note: Judith Levine writes the bi-weekly column, Poli Psy.
This article appears in Jun 22-28, 2011.
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“The speech contained far more explicit nonsense than that one statement. Perhaps Seven Days should rely on a transcript or recording rather than the over-simplification presented here.”I’m sure Seven Days would LOVE to read a transcript or listen to a recording! They do want to report fully on the story. In all honesty, who wouldn’t after all the hoopla?Unfortunately, no one seems to have a transcript nor recording. If they do, they aren’t releasing it publicly.
Since the school & speaker haven’t released it, kind of hard to do that, huh? And since school officials focused on his reference to genitalia in their condemnations, why wouldn’t we?
The speech contained far more explicit nonsense than that one statement. Perhaps Seven Days should rely on a transcript or recording rather than the over-simplification presented here.
Well, it’s a pretty stupid statement. How the hell does that equate to anytype of point that should be addressed at a High School graduation? Besides all that, the over reaction by everyone is absurd. He said Penis and Vagina…. big freaking deal. Everyone has one and if you think that those graduating seniors don’t know the ins and outs of them you’ve got your head in the sand. Was it an appropriate venue… not really. Did it make the guy look like he should be giving back his diploma, you bet. Does it warrant this type of reaction… Jesus H Christ no.
While his information is totally anatomically incorrect, it’s ridiculously sexist. I’d be pissed, and I probably would have walked out.
Wow–people in Vermont are the strangest I have ever seen. Get all up in arms over every cause, fight for every justice under the sun—but on a personal level, are complete morons and self-absorbed. Laugh, and get over it people. And move on to your next social injustice, all the while you are plowing over people in the parking lot, not holding doors for people, and proceeding to turn first at every stop light in this state without yielding to right of way traffic!
I’m sure some grandmothers nearly had aneurysms at this, much as the entire civilized world almost collapsed when they — but DID THEY? — saw Janet Jackson’s nipple for a fraction of a second during the Super Bowl. Good grief. Are people for real? Do they not have anything bigger to worry about?
Too bad his anatomy is off…now a clitoris on steroids would be a much better anaolgy. After all, those both develop from the same embryonic tissue. 🙂
Sexist male-centered crap. I think his choice of venue was poor & clearly his choice of words worse. Censorship from the school & media outlets is inexcusable. But personally what I find most concerning is the fact that not a single graduate or family member in attendance used their smartphone or videocam to capture & upload the remarks. And we call this a techno savvy generation?
Ugh. His antiquated, sexist comparison of the penis and vagina is totally offensive and, dare I say, inaccurate. Clearly it depends upon the penis and vagina in question.