Hugs to fight patriarchy

Yesterday, students stood in the South Park Blocks to give out “free hugs,” and speak about how students are negatively affected by patriarchy.

The students were part of professor Roslyn Farrington’s University Studies course that has been analyzing the work of acclaimed author bell hooks.

The class was challenged to create a visionary project that related to issues discussed in the term, such as masculinity, patriarchy and love.

Booths were set up and buttons and love cards were handed out to passersby along with hugs given to strangers. The students said a goal was to provide detailed insight into what love means and how we internalize the word.

“Who doesn’t love love?” said Alexa Adams, a student in the class. “As a group we felt it was only right to take that love to the streets and share it with everyone.”

One of the booths was dedicated to showing how the concept of masculinity, and how it is related to patriarchy, affects people.

“Until we can get more men to be in touch with their whole self, we won’t be able to end the violence against everyone,” said student Andi Galbreath.