Positively Discriminant? – Australian University’s Cupcake Controversy

Rhys Clayton,

Editor (Oceania)

 

MELBOURNE - A recent cupcake stall at Monash University in Melbourne has caused a national stir.

The University’s Association Women’s Department held the stall to raise funds for ‘Women In Higher Education’ week. However , campus controversy was sparked that has since been making headlines nationally and even receiving international attention.

The cupcakes were sold at $1.00 for men, $0.80 for women, and $0.60 for transgender people, with the intention for the cupcake prices to reflect the pay disparity been men and women in Australia.

Considerable debate on the University’s unofficial ‘StalkerSpace’ Facebook Group, which was over 18,000 members, has seen students argue vehemently for and against the pricing structure.

The original post in the group stated “to the ‘Women’s stand on Clayton Campus selling cupcakes … that is not feminism. That’s sexism. You want to demand equality? It goes both ways.” The comment generated over 1500 likes, and 1000 comments.

Rachel Archie Wall-e posted (sic): “the best thing they could think of doing was baking? to promote women’s rights? i don’t want to inadvertently stereotype but their choice surprises me.”

More than 180 people “liked” her post.

Regardless of whether people agree or disagree with the price disparity of the cupcakes, the issue has clearly caught the attention of the national press. It is understood that the original intention of the stall was to draw campus-wide attention. Whether those involved are happy about the national wide publicity is not known, but it is undeniable that feminists across Australia have taken note. Copycat stalls are anticipated across Australian educational institutions.

Image Courtesy: (Silar)Wikimedia Commons,