Where can female students of Madison go for advice on relationships, depression, self-doubt and life? Middle stall on the right, Psychology building. A bathroom may seem like an odd place to seek inspiration, but this one has a stall like no other. Here, there is literally wall-to-wall graffiti, with an eclectic mix of quotes, declarations and even a religious debate or two. This may pose a problem with the custodial staff, although there isn't visible evidence of anyone trying to clean it off.
While much of graffiti on bathrooms or study carrels is negative, with opinions like, \Physics sucks,"" or ""I hate Jeremy D.,"" this graffiti stands out for its positivism. Sure, it has its clich?? tags, such as ""Don't hate me cuz I'm beautiful, hate me cuz your boyfriend thinks so,"" but there is much more.
Women are free to write whatever is on their mind without fear of being judged for their opinions. They can share questions or secrets they are too embarrassed to talk to friends or family about. From religion, to body image, to sexuality, this stall covers the basic issues in the life of female college students.
If one is looking for encouragement, she can find phrases like, ""Never give up!"" and ""Love your body!"" Or this piece: ""Don't take steps back and analyze the mistakes in your path. Rather, put your feet down, look forward and know that nothing is impossible."" While they may sound trite at times, these words of support truly strike the hearts of many.
""Every time I come out of there, I just feel better about myself,"" said UW-Madison sophomore Becky Ringhand. ""All those words of empowerment, they just leave me feeling good inside.""
If one is seeking love advice, she simply needs to post her question on the door (provided there is free space), and someone will surely respond. One woman writes, ""What should I do with the man I love but really hates my family?"" Below is some advice: ""Challenge him on his hatred. Family is too important. Unfortunately, boyfriends disappear but family stays.""
Many women who feel sad write because the boy they like does not share reciprocal feelings. Not to worry, because others post such affirmations as, ""You must first love yourself,"" or, ""No man is worth feeling bad about yourself.""
Some women share revelations in self-esteem. One writes, ""It is such an amazing and beautifully wonderful feeling to finally be able to say that I love myself. Not in spite of my imperfections but also because of them. This is true freedom!"" Another declares, ""I am bisexual. I just never told anyone face to face.""
Still, some stall readers feel people go too far when sharing intimate details, or that some graffiti is vulgar.
""I think it's a waste of time when people write about their sexual adventures in stalls. Who cares?"" UW-Madison freshman Emily Pope said.
In addition to advice and inspiration, this stall is a place where females can unite and display their artwork or poetry. Here's an example from behind the toilet paper:
""Her beauty fills the room like fields / She drifts by like a vine / But she was not made for any man / And will never be all mine."" For the avant-garde lovers, there is this more cryptic line on the right: ""Anger is the fluid love bleeds when you cut it.""
Whether female bathroom users are out to vandalize, create art or share their tales of woe, they can all become one in stall number two. One does not have to read long to find a plea that the graffiti will never be painted over.
One woman may have summed it up best, when she wrote: ""This is my all-time favorite stall-it is like being in another realm of the world-a secret society.""
