THE 1»CKEE PAGE «
Do You Support Censorship?
Today, January 18, 1968, John Dorsey and I, Tom Mowbray, Attended a preview of the
raovie Ren.ections ^ A Golden The avowed purpose of this advanced showing was to
give those people the opportunity to examine such a picture dealing with the delicate
subject, homosexuality. After viewing the film , the participants were asked to comment
as to whether or not they felt that this fiLn should be shown in Rocky Mount.
First I would like to state my opinion. This film can be given credit for its attempt
to deal with a taboo subject in an adult manner. The only refrence to sexual intercourse
was suggestive in nature. There were no scenes vdiich even resanbled the usual man and
woman naked in bed such as was portrayed in Point Blank starring Lee Marvin , and The
Tri£, which both played in Rocky Mount, The fact is that unless someone knew what
homosexua-lity was they would find only boredom throughout the entire film. Therefore the
average young child would fall asleep within the first hour,
John Dorsey canmenta that the actors were stylized. Brian Keith is always cast as the
husky, good natured hero, who likes his bourbon with a little bit of branch, Elizabeth
Taylor is always the? vrcxnan with the large breasts, J\ilie Harris is forever the "sick”
woman and I-farlon Brando is always the weird fellow who mumbles his way to greatness.
The actual crisis here is the suggestion that a censorship board be established. We
believe in the right for concerned parents to prohibit their children from seeing any movie
they feel to be derrogatory in nature, Hoi^rever, we do support Mr, Corbitt Rushing, Asst.
Professor of Political Science, N,C, V/esleyan, in his statement that he cannot think of
anyone in this community who would be capable of deciding what he should or should not see
cr read,
Mrs, Thomas A, Collins, wife of our own Dr. Thomas A. Collins, stood as an outstanding
proponent of censorship of both books and movies. She seems to feel that she, as a responsible
concerned adult, is capable and knowledgible enough to help decide what should be seen and read
in Rocky Mount,
We would like to say that we do not prefer to be for or against homosexuality, sex,
intercourse, or anjr form of'sin” which is a part of life ,?nd must be accepted as such.
The fact that they are fpcts of life means that they should be discussed and portrayed openly.
It is up to the parent to decide’ vihether or not a young child should see such a movie or
■!^ad a book dealing v;ith these subjects yet, wfe would not like to see the practice of
denying t his knowledge to youth. It is wrong to deprive a child of a true conception of
life and the world around hi;n until he can gain the truth on his own or learn itfrom hushed
words from a friend.
The Decree will continue to cover this problem and v/e invite the comments, of participants
and interested onlookers.
ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSES OF ADK & NU GAMMA PHI