The South House Sexual and Gender

Resource Centre
Halifaxs only full-time gender justice centre
6286 South St. Halifax, NS. B3H 1T5
(902) 494-2432
www.southhousehalifax.ca

February 25, 2015

Dear council members,
The South House Sexual and Gender Resource Centre is writing with
our perspective on the motion to leave Students Nova Scotia (SNS).
As an organization, we recognize that we cannot work to end sexism
without struggling against all forms of oppression. Therefore, we work
to create space to discuss oppression and to work against the
dominant power systems on campus and in our communities. We are
writing to you from this standpoint.
While the South House works to fight oppression from an
intersectional approach, Students Nova Scotia has never displayed
more than a shallow understanding of sexism and oppression. Based
on discussions the South House has had with members of Students
Nova Scotia, we do not work with them, nor do we accept money from
them.
Our decision not to work with SNS was made after a discussion where
a fundamental disagreement became apparent- whereas the South
House wanted to name sexism as one of the reasons for
underrepresentation in Student Union politics, SNS representatives
expressed that their membership would not buy into anti-sexist
messaging and they did not want to focus on sexism. Based on these
discussions and their subsequent actions we believe that their antisexism efforts are tokenistic at best.
SNS has litigated against feminists who dared critique their
campaigns and policies. The South House fundamentally opposes
shutting down dissent in these heavy-handed manners. If SNS truly
wanted to work to end sexism, they would accept the criticisms of

feminists and work internally to address the structural sexism in place

in their organization (lets not forget the Jared Perry was chair of SNS
during the SMU rape chants, and participated).
Students have called a general meeting of the DSU via petition,
forcing debate on a very important issue: finally leaving Students
Nova Scotia. Just days after 500 Dalhousie students and over a
thousand other students total took to the streets, winning heavy
media coverage and meetings with the finance and advanced
education minister, Students NS released a report saying that
reducing tuition isn't an issue. This is not solidarity. This is directly
undermining Dalhousie students. It is also known to the South House
that two SNS chairs have had to resign due to sexism. Based on these
and other facts, we believe it is a grossly unethical waste of $95,000
of students money per year, and it needs to stop now.
What are we looking for from these organizations? If we are seeking
campaigns or action about oppression and issues facing students, we
would point out that the South House and other campus based
organizations such as the Equity and Accessibility Office produce far
more meaningful work on a fraction of the budget.
Given that CASA did not support the DSUs motion to call on Health
Canada to end the blood ban, we cant expect them to tackle other
issues of oppression. The power structures that currently exist within
their organization prevent them from adequately engaging in lobbying
for those students who need it the most. Therefore, until there is a
commitment from the organizations to evaluate, recognize and take
action on their internal power structures, we dont imagine that the
lobbying efforts will adequately represent those students who face
oppression of any kind.
We ask that the DSU consider where your investment will have the
most impact. The creation of the Equity and Accessibility office has
been a huge benefit for students by helping us at the South House run
successful anti-violence campaigns and produce pro-choice bus ads.
This sort of tangible, relevant and action-based approach is effective
and could have even more impact if more resources were allocated or
there was a renewed dedication to collaboration between the DSU
and other advocacy groups.
Ultimately, we are asking the DSU to invest in organizations with
proven track records for advocacy and social justice, and to imagine
alternative models for activism, lobbying and action that prioritize the
voices of marginalized students and work towards real social change
in our communities and within Nova Scotia and Canada.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

In solidarity,
The Board and Staff of the South House
Jude Ashburn
Carmella Farahbakhsh
Harry Makohoniuk
Alexandra Killham
Hannah Milley
Caitlin Meiklejohn
Katelyn Armstrong
Sam Mason
Marietta Wildt
Madison Foster
Lily Corne Klein
Sarah Trower