By Lissette Nunez

Staff Writer

On Sept. 17, there was a debate held on campus discussing whether BDSM is an act of pleasure or abuse?

BDSM stands for Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, Masochism. It circulates around the idea of a consenting adult relationship that has some inherent inequality. However, the relationship is based upon the idea of pleasure for everyone who is involved, which is the presence of a feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction.

For instance, as one partner roll plays dominance the other illustrates submission.
To hypothetically illustrate, you can be the Nazi and I’ll be the Jew; the Nazi demonstrating the dominant character whereas the Jew reenacts the submission role.

While women’s studies professor Cecili Chadwick was neutral on the subject and believes that BDSM is neither good nor bad, on the other hand, women’s studies professor Lori Walkington, affirms that BDSM is pleasure and JUST pleasure.

In fact, when asked if BDSM has ever gone too far? Walkington said, “No, and I hate that the question implies on itself that BDSM can go too far…if it is not pleasure then it is not BDSM.”

I could not agree more. Coming from a non-participant perspective, I theorize that many judge BDSM as some kinky role-play with no limitations, but there are.

Though these relationships do not generally represent the “traditional” mold, they are agreed upon between consenting adults. If one of the parties withdraws their consent, it could just as well become abuse, as defined by Professor Laurie; once pleasure is eliminated from the picture.

What you are specifically reenacting is not BDSM. Furthermore, BDSM has a strong emphasis on negotiation and consent amongst the related partners. Therefore, all suspicions and accusations about BDSM being of an abusive sexual interaction should be withdrawn; because and I quote, “If it’s not pleasure, then it’s not BDSM!”