OP-ED: How Can Cornell Provide Tampons for People Who Menstruate Without Providing Skateparks for People Who Shred Gnar?

Cornell has always been a trailblazer, and I must start by commending the university, which  began admitting women in 1872, only seven years after its founding. Since its inception, Cornell has been at the forefront of the struggle for the equality of people who mensturate, and can finally say it provides free access to period products in campus restrooms.

Despite this notable breakthrough, inequity still persists. Just as the menstruators of Cornell require period products for their natural menstrual needs, I require access to an on-campus skatepark—preferably one with a dope half-pipe and a massive snake run.

The move towards equality for menstruators has always been based upon the ideal that no person should be denied opportunity solely on the basis of their biological processes. If menstruators no longer pay a de facto tax on their period, I should not be forced to take the TCAT all the way down to the lame-ass Ithaca skatepark, which is far too small and out of my way. This is the kind of firm moral principle Cornell must uphold. 

I understand this venture, similar to the free tampons and pads, can be construed as unnecessary and overly expensive. I realize the taboo natures of menstruation and epic sk8r culture can cause the pain of their disaffected groups to go unnoticed. But we will no longer be denied! The truly radical 360 chasing ollie poppers will rise up and get the high quality skating palace we truly deserve!

However, in the interest of civility and patience, I would even be satisfied with any kind of verbal commitment to my new initiative. Even if the new skatepark was constructed on the same expedited time frame as the period products, originally slated for implementation in 2017, I would be happy. Though I’d never get to grind rails with the boys, I’d at least know Cornell took our concerns seriously. 

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