Dissatisfied with being represented by a beaver exuding toxic masculinity, MIT’s School of Humanities, Arts, and Socialist Scientism (SHASS) convened a special faculty committee to choose a new mascot to better represent the values of its unique school.

Overriding objections by an emasculated Department of Economics, the Praying Mantis was chosen by outspoken faculty activists to best symbolize the prevailing SHASS culture.

“The heteronormative patriarchy that dominated STEM ever since Aristotle miscounted his wife’s teeth must be eradicated,” crowed Deputy Dean Mors Hominibus, ready to bite the head off anyone who dared disagree. “The so-called merit-based value system long used as a tool of oppression when admitting students and hiring faculty must be replaced with more inclusive and equitable diversity criteria.”

The SHASS flagship Consortium for Graduate Studies in Gender, Culture, Women, and Sexuality (GCWS) brings together feminist scholars and teachers from nine Boston area institutions for the purpose of advancing interdisciplinary, intersectional feminist scholarship and teaching in the areas of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. What better way to honor these women then emblazoning a praying mantis on their caps and sweatshirts, giving fair warning to anyone that stands in their way?

Story suggested by the Burbling Bieber