Thursday, February 12, 2004
THE PENDULUM
• Page 3
The Guru
The Guru offers advice
about the infamous
movie-night hookup.
See p. 5
OPINION
The Little Things
Jonathan Chapman tries
his pen at a new, light
hearted column.
See p. 6
Going Greek: You never
really know until you try
Elyse Rodriguez
Columnist
s
Elyse
Rodriguez
tereotypes. Sororities. The two seem
to go hand-in-hand. How many
stereotypes have
you heard about sorori
ties? Or perhaps you've
even heard a few for
each different one?
Well, I would like to let
you know that things
aren't always what they
seem.
I was never into the
whole "sisterhood"
scene. To be honest, I
kind of laughed whenever I heard the word.
However, I contemplated rushing
because I wanted to meet more people and
just see what it was like going through the
whole ordeal. I mean, really, we've all
watched an episode of MTV's "Sorority
Life" and laughed at the petty fights and
bickering. I suppose I just wanted to see
first-hand if that was a true representation
of what goes on.
1 thought about partaking in rush week
for a little bit and finally decided against it.
I came to the conclusion that girls in big
groups chanting songs was simply not for
me. I booked my flight back to New York
for our "fake break" and was all set to go.
Then, due to my amazing talent of not
having any luck whatsoever, a snowstorm
hit right where 1 live on the day 1 was sup
posed to leave. Needless to say, my flight
was canceled and it didn't look like it would
be easy to get another one. Knowing that I
needed something to do for the week
instead of sitting around in my room and
watching “Saved by the Bell” reruns, I
decided at the last possible moment to rush.
Let me tell you, I am glad I did.
At the first meeting, I was pleasantly
surprised with the PowerPoint presentation
and thought, "Hey, I might as well give it a
chance." I went home that night actually
excited for the next day to come.
The day came and went and, oli boy, I
loved it. Seriously, I'm not kidding. The
entire week was such a great experience
and I came to see that all the things I had
heard about sororities being all the same
were completely wiped away. Each sorori
ty has a different personality and it was
quite interesting to see how I personally felt
in each of the houses.
From the first day, I felt completely
comfortable in one and would always be
the giri biting my nails in the comer the fol
lowing moming hoping that they would
keep bidding on me.
Now, if you read the sentence I just
wrote, I had completely contradicted my
original thoughts. "Sisterfiood," a term I
once found so amusing, was now a special
thing I wanted to be a part of. Funny how
the world woiics, right?
By the end of rush week, I had been
accepted into the house I was so greatly
wishing for and I actually started chanting
the sorority letters. Yes, you read that right,
I chanted with the best of them. I am pledg
ing now as you read.
I would like everyone to try something
new: something you never thought you
would try and something you could never
see yourself seriously doing. Perhaps it will
change you, perhaps it won't. The sheer fact
of the matter is that you tried it. No harm in
that, right?
Contact Elyse Rodriguez at pendu-
lum@elon.edu or 278-7247.
Exercise your right to free speech!
Write for our opinion section.
E-mail submissions to:
opinions@elon.edu
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Halftime show threatens free speech
jessica Kemp
Jessica
Kemp
Opinions Editor
By now, everyone has seen the infamous
Super Bowl incident: halftime footage of Justin
Timberlake ripping off part
of Janet Jackson’s costume,
revealing her naked breast.
So what’s the big deal?
This incident has led to a
number of questions being
raised about censorship and
freedom of expression.
Because of the exposure of
Jackson, the Grammys were
presented on CBS with a five-
minute taped delay. Just in
case Timberlake decided he wanted to expose
Christina Aguilera's breast.
Wait, she almost did that herself.
Because of the halftime show fiasco,
Timberiake’s fellow ‘NSYNCer J.C. Chasez was
pulled from his performance Saturday at the Pro
Bowl. He wasn’t even part of the halftime show.
Will other performers be hurt by this one-time
alleged wardrobe malfunction? Has Jackson’s
lame attempt at self-promotion ruined freedom of
expression for all artists in the years to come?
I certainly hope not. Part of the image of a pop
star, like Jackson and Timberlake, is in the
clothes. If pop stars begin to have public school
like regulations about their wardrobe, the entire
industry will suffer. Next thing you know, female
pop singers will be forced to see if their skirts go
down past their fingertips and if the straps on their
shirt measure at least an inch across before they
are even allowed on stage.
That would be ridiculous.
I think performers have the right to express
themselves through their choice of clothing.
Jackson’s error in judgment, even though it was a
huge one, shouldn’t have a lasting affect on
everyone else. The FCC needs to just let it go and
realize that accidents - or in this case, publicity
stunts — even if they are pulled in poor taste,
happen.
If anyone should be fined because of this
incident, it is Jackson herself. Not CBS, not
MTV, and not Timberiake, who maintains his
innocence.
I think if the FCC keeps investigating this
incident, the halftime show next year will
become a 15 minute opera show, with the partic
ipants fully covered, from head to toe. MTV will
not be allowed to participate in the halftime
show again, which will only hurt the Super
Bowl ratings in the end.
And let’s face it, the cameras could probably
pan the crowd and catch .someone half naked in
the stands. Or you could change the channel dur
ing a commercial to Showtime and see a whole
lot more than a naked breast.
Contact Jessica Kemp at
pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.