As most’ve you have probably seen in the pages of Salient this week, Cosgrove offered an apology of sorts. The first post about this issue has overflowed with comments in support and against Joel, so we’ve put up another post. Please check out the story in this weeks Salient about the controversy, as well as the letters to Mr. Cosgrove.
>
Dear Salient
>
At Graduation on May 16th I wore a t-shirt emblazoned “I (Heart) My Penis”. This T-Shirt is concerned with a campaign run by both VUWSA and the students association of Massey Wellington, it is about raising awareness of the shockingly low levels of male sexual health checks. On leaving the ceremony I was approached by hundreds of students/ parents/ grandparents who were interested in the aims and goals of the campaign. The level of support and encouragement for the campaign itself was something that I took strongly to heart.
>
That people were offended by this t-shirt, is sad, I did not mean to offend any members of the audience, I didn’t consider the word penis to be “obscene”, I find it worrying that it could be seen in that light. It was a serious t-shirt about a serious issue, namely men’s sexual health.
>
To those who are offended on behalf of people they assume to be offended or think should be offended. I find that attitude condescending and patronising. If people choose to be offended at the mention of a term like “penis”. That is their choice. That people choose to be offended on behalf of others without reference to whom they are acting on behalf for or why, I find insulting that others feel that they can make broad sweeping statements and usurp the potential offendee’s ability to communicate any displeasure or pleasure at my actions themselves directly to me.
>
I thought, with Wonder Woman collecting her BTeach, or the woman who turned her thesis into a pink corset, or the music students playing TV themes as graduates walked across stage, that there would be no issue with my t-shirt, as it was not a joke or meant as a laugh like the above situations. That it could be discussed in that manner is worrying.
>
As I have said on national television. I am sorry to any who are offended by the slogan “I (Heart) My Penis”.
>
Joel Cosgrove
>
Do you think that this is adequate? Is it really an apology?
>
(The comments on the old post have been stopped because there are way too many of them so please feel free to comment away below.)