Last week, my ethnic studies class effectively stunned me into tears.

In last week’s Exponent, Amy Bell Kwallek remarked that like people of color, women are targets of  hateful graffiti,  finding words like “slut” and “whore” written on their dry erase boards. While I disagree with the message that one should ignore the graffiti and get on with one’s life, I wholeheartedly agree that referring to women as “bitches” or “whores” is just as offensive and degrading as the term “nigger.”

I voiced this opinion in my ethnic studies class, but many of my classmates disagreed. They felt that “nigger” had more history and degradation behind it. I disagree. For thousands of years, women in cultures all over the world have been degraded and lowered to a status beneath men. In fact, men are called “pussies” or “bitches” to imply weakness or cowardice. To this day, some cultures still treat women as little more than slaves, and they are bought and sold by their own families.

A comment was also made that women can stop insults against them by stopping their behavior. But women are not typically called these terms based on how they act. “Bitch” and “cunt” are used merely as synonyms for “female.” I personally have been called a whore simply because I started dating someone new three months after a breakup. Promiscuity had nothing to do with it.

To be told that degrading and offending a woman is more acceptable than doing so to a person of color was incredibly hurtful. I take that class very seriously; I  put myself in the shoes of people of color and am appalled at the way they are treated, though I myself am white. It was shocking to be denied the same courtesy and sensitivity by those I thought would definitely be in a position to understand me.

Lack of understanding is common, but it allows racism and sexism to continue. It can be hard to see things from another’s point of view, or to understand that something that does not hurt you can powerfully hurt others. It can also be hard to look beyond the injustices one suffers to those that others suffer, but it is important for the growth of our society. It is unrealistic and unfair to expect your classmates to respect and understand you if you don’t respect and understand them.

Understanding others doesn’t mean you have to give anything up — it only expands you as a person. You do not need to feel that acknowledging someone else’s pain would slight your own. This is why we are at a university in the first place — a main portion of education is the ability to examine situations from many angles. You cannot be a well-rounded, informed individual unless you understand more than just your perspective; that is why ethnic and gender studies classes are mandatory.

Arguing over who suffers more injustice is a waste of time; oppression is oppression and all of it is wrong. If you can recognize someone else’s pain and empathize with them based on similar experiences of your own, you will have more people banded together to support the concept that insulting people based on their race, gender or sexuality is wrong and unacceptable. Speaking up for others as well as yourself is the only way to really make a change.