I want to thank Chris Miller for the thoughtful and eloquent article he wrote recently, “A slow tip of the scales toward gender equity” (Mar. 17).

In the article, Miller pointed to the NCAA basketball tournament as an example of gender inequity. He noted that the men’s team received more coverage throughout the season and as NCAA March Madness drew near, even when both the men’s and women’s squads made it to the “Big Dance.” He also indicated in the article that he pushed to increase Daily coverage of the women’s tournament play.

I applaud Miller’s editorial article, heightened sensitivity, willingness to act and respectful language.

He stated the issue with integrity and challenged us all to look harder at the subtle ways gender influences our culture and behavior.

Failure to provide equal coverage of an athletic tournament may seem like a small thing. In fact, these “small” things accumulate and send a message that what men do is valued more than what women do, no matter what is at stake.

It’s appropriate now that we rally behind the men who have played brilliantly all season. I feel proud of the men’s team; it represents what is highest and best in all of us. (I’ll be pulling for them on Thursday against the Bruins!)

But Miller’s article also represents what is highest and best. It calls on us all to try harder to bring balance and fairness.

For, proud as we are of the men, aren’t we also proud of the women? How refreshing it was, in the midst of the hoopla to see someone pause and draw attention to gender equity. Equity doesn’t just happen.

It takes practice, like basketball takes practice. It takes awareness. It takes someone like Miller to notice, to speak out and to change.

Miller referred to himself in the article as a “run-of-the-mill Joe.” I disagree. He has done something extraordinary and refreshing and positive for the ISU community by articulately raising the gender issue in such a simple and straightforward way.

Small changes bring about bigger ones. Thank you, Mr. Miller, for reminding us how simple raising awareness can be. You are anything but an ordinary Joe.

Julie Nelson

Graduate Student

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