Agree with Chai unless there's a dress code policy at that Ivy League College

[theking]

Student presents thesis in underwear after professor says her 'shorts are too short'





Letitia Chai, a senior student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, took off her clothes during her presentation, which was filmed on Facebook live, to stand up against "oppressive beliefs and discrimination".

Ms Chai organised the protest after her teacher allegedly questioned her choice of clothing during a test run of her thesis presentation and told her: "Your shorts are too short".

Describing the incident in a Facebook post, Chai wrote: "She proceeded to tell me in front of my whole class that I was inviting the male gaze away from the content of my presentation and onto my body."

"I think that I was so taken aback that I didn't really know how to respond," she told the Cornell Sun.

Ms Chai said that some students in the class were also surprised by the teacher's comment but one international student agreed with the teacher and told her she had "a moral obligation to dress more conservatively" in respect for her audience.

"Needless to say, I was shook," Ms Chai wrote.

After she left the classroom, her teacher came out to talk to her and according to Ms Chai, she asked her what her mother would think of her outfit.

"What would my mom think? My mom is a feminist, gender, sexuality studies professor. She has dedicated her life to the empowerment of people in all gender identities. So, I think my mother would [be] fine with my shorts," she wrote.

When asked what she was going to do, Ms Chai replied: "I'm going to give the best damn speech of my life."

Writing on Facebook, Ms Chai invited others to support her on the day of her actual presentation and asked people to "strip down" to their underwear with her during her 15-minute address.

The event was filmed on Facebook Live as Ms Chai removed her clothes and some of the students in the room joined her in support.

She told the audience of several dozens that this was a call for "solidarity" with students like her who had been asked to "question themselves about their appearances for the comfort of others".

The teacher involved told local media: "I do not tell my students what to wear, nor do I define for them what constitutes appropriate dress. I ask them to reflect for themselves and make their own decisions."

Following the incident, 11 of the 13 other students in the class issued a statement saying they "supported Ms Chai's commitment to the cause of women's rights" but did not agree with her recollection of the events.

"All of us feel that out professor's words and actions were unfairly represented in the post, with certain quotes taken out of context and we wish to clarify any misunderstandi ngs that may have occurred," they said.

The students described their teacher as an "outstanding member" of the university and "a gift to Cornell".

"In an environment like Cornell, where it is so easy to feel dismissed by both your peers and higher-ups, she is unparalleled in her support of us," the statement read.

[DuMa]

You know that for every feminist movement where they go nude to protest, there will still be that group I made up called the malenist aka perverts that applaud her for giving us a free show. 

I saw that clip when it first came out and at first, I thought her stripping down was a prop to support her speech. 

It would be stunt to trybon last day though.  I wouldn't have the balls to come back to class and face the same jury that prosecuted me.  Like if you sue your employer, how can you still work for the hand that you bite?

It is called x politics where the professor is the person standing between you and a passing grade so why even make an attempt to make her feel stupid?  Well my college professor took the same chemistry courses that he also teaches that one summer just to school that professor at that other school.  But that's him though.  A personal pride that only such people can see it. 

[Mr_Mechanic]

story too long to read, but what she trying to achieve?

[Gucci K]

this is ms. chai's way of telling her teacher to eat her shorts but unfortunately, the teacher was not gay. 

when dressed too provocatively, a woman's career path doesn't go too far except the strip joints and/or the adult film industry...hen ce the saying, "dress for success.."

this is the problem with millennials, they feel they are always being attacked when someone older or someone with authoritative power gives them constructive criticism.  ms. chai should reflect on the criticism of her teacher, it is merely to advise and make awareness of her own appearance.  instead, she only proved the teacher right...if she's so proud, why not dress in your underwears to school everyday?

if i can see your but cheeks, in them short shorts, i'mma have to slap dat'a$$!

[theking]

this is ms. chai's way of telling her teacher to eat her shorts but unfortunately, the teacher was not gay. 

when dressed too provocatively, a woman's career path doesn't go too far except the strip joints and/or the adult film industry...hen ce the saying, "dress for success.."

this is the problem with millennials, they feel they are always being attacked when someone older or someone with authoritative power gives them constructive criticism.  ms. chai should reflect on the criticism of her teacher, it is merely to advise and make awareness of her own appearance.  instead, she only proved the teacher right...if she's so proud, why not dress in your underwears to school everyday?

if i can see your but cheeks, in them short shorts, i'mma have to slap dat'a$$!

Dunce! Another ignorant claim by the invalid dunce trump disciple that proudly supports lies and fakes but nothing "new"...

[Reporter]

The prof took the wrong approach.

The student took the correct response.

[dogmai]

Where is the live video? I want to see the speech.

You mean the striptease?