Students are ready to completely boycott the SSI Bookstore (which could not be reached for comment) and take their business to Dynamic if the Bookstore does not acquiesce to getting rid of the shorts and pants. We want all forms of violence against women to stop,” said Panichelli.Īdded Tyler Bradway, a sophomore English major, “I think it’s very important that SSI respond to students’ concerns and cease selling all clothing apparel with the slogan “Ram This.” To me, it’s not an issue of freedom of speech, but whether or not our university should be endorsing a statement that has blatantly violent sexual undertones.” Why does our University want to send that message to the students? I personally do not want to support a school that doesn’t care what messages are sent about women. She said, “Ram This” promotes sexual violence. Meg Panichelli agrees that the phrase across the rear does not endorse an appealing message. It heightens the objectification of women in society as it is, being that most clothing that has words in that place is only found on female clothing.” “When a saying is across the buttocks of the clothing, it sends the message this is where you should look and this is what’s important,” which is not true of anyone. They believe it to be demeaning when written across the rear of anyone, but in particular to women because it is on their shorts and pants, not men’s. “How is the Bookstore complying with the Mission Statement by selling this apparel?”Īnother reason people find the slogan insulting is that it is only written across women’s shorts and pants. Supposedly the University ‘supports and encourages programs which benefit all people and which seek to eradicate discrimination and injustice.’ These students, as well as several other people, find the slogan, when written on the behind, to be offensive, degrading, and contradicting.Ĭramer said, “One of the most important points of out argument is the fact that the apparel cntradicts the University’s Mission Statement. The fact of the matter is that some people do feel affronted by the “catchphrase” when it is written across the behind.After some encouragement from fellow students, Sally Cramer, a sophomore majoring in Graphic Design here at WCU, and Meg Panichelli, a third-year Kinesiology/Women’s Studies major, came up with the peti-tion to boycott the SSI Bookstore if the store did not agree to eradicate the pants and shorts that have “Ram This” written across the rear. Or you could have seen it and felt somewhat offended by it. Maybe you saw it and found it to be amusing. Perhaps you saw this saying and completely disregarded it. Read more about Spergo in The Philadelphia Inquirer.Surely you have seen the slogan, “Ram This” on West Chester University’s apparel, particularly on shorts and pants. “So not only are you looking forward to getting a financial investment, but also gaining a partnership with people that have systems already in place and can connect you with people who can get you where you need to go.”Īnd things seem to be progressing well, as Spergo, which opened two mall stores in 2021, has already managed to get a $300,000 investment deal on ABC’s Shark Tank. “Because we have done so much on our own, what we need is a team, a solid team,” said Peterson. The pair is hoping to take Spergo to the next level. Peterson has been “promoted” to chief operating officer of the thriving company, well on its way to becoming a force in the fad-driven street-wear market. Three years later, the business has posted $1 million in sales. Peterson’s contribution to her son’s entrepreneurial aspirations consisted of driving him around Philadelphia as he hawked hoodies out of the trunk of her sedan. Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is a constituent unit of the Board. Trey launched Spergo (he made the word up) three years ago, with $178 he got for his 12th birthday. His business mentor/distribution partner/mother is West Chester University graduate Sherell Peterson, and together, they’re on their way to building a fashion empire.īob Fernandez covered the meteoric rise for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphian Trey Brown, at a mere 15 years old, is already riding his clothing brand Spergo to a career as an industry titan.