March 29,1978
WAV AW Fights Images of Mutilation
of W omen in the Media
In March of 1976, the sex
violent, racist film SNUFF
was released. In response to
the film and its advertisements,
which claimed that the murder
and mutilation of women
/vas entertaining, outraged
: eminists and other groups
formed an activist organiza
tion, Women Against Violence
Against Women.
WAV AW succeeded in hav
ing the film withdrawn from
Southern California theatres
one week after it opened.
Since then, interest in the
group has spread throughout
the nation. WAV AW is work
ing to stop the use of images
of physical and sexual violence
against women in mass media -
and the real-world violence
against women which it pro
motes - through public
education, consciousness
raising, and mass consumer
action.
The slide presentation will
show examples both on a
local and a natural scale of
women as victims of beating,
Continued from/page 2
by the new Executive Council
consisting of Barbara Phillips,
Mark Farlow, and Nancy
Trull. Therefore, the attempted
arousal of impeachment
impulses is plainly inappropriate.
Nor should the writer of the
editorial under consideration
be prevented from further edi
torial ventures. On the contrary,
such enthusiasm is appreciated
by all involved, but the
conversion of that enthusiasm
into action merits careful
consideration.
The Executive Council of
the Community Senate should
be commended for their
response to a situation that
was unsatisfactory to a sub
stantial number of students.
They organized their respectivei
sides of the story. There was|
misunderstanding of the situa-!
tion, but it was brought forth
unnecessarily by a confusion,
of the issues. In fact, the IRC,
proposal could have by-passed|
the Senate entirely, but it did|
not and the abuse it suffered,
for that decision has been dis
proportionately demaning.
The Wilmington Ten has no
bright future if the focus of ourl
passion for human rights is
brought upon a desire to
improve a temporary menu
rather than issues of greater
import.
Richard Phillips
Sharon Spencer
Jane Griffis
rape and murder. These dis
plays are methods of various
corporations to sell a product
- a frightening comment on
the values of our society.
Sadomasochistic simages of
women are being used in a
wide variety of publicity tactics,
including movies, records,
magazine ads, and even
amusement boards of the local
fair.
After each slide show, there
will be a brief discussion
period which will encompass a
local action plan. For further
information, including
transportation arrangements,
call 725-9851.
WAV AW is currently focus
ing on the record industry.
Albums now on sale in depart
ment and record stores are
using physical and sexual vio
lence to promote sales in
the following ways: (1) an un
conscious (mugged or raped?)
woman in a seductive pose,
(2) a female body stamped
with a seal (suggestive of a
piece of meat), (3) a woman's
crotch with a print invitation
to "jump on it," (4) a woman
as potential victim of gang
rape.
According to WAV AW, the
chief offender in the record
industry is Warner/Electra/
Atlantic, Inc. On November
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27, 1976, formal demand was
made to the president of WEA,
Neshui Ertegun, to stop the
further use of such images,
to cancel current offensive ad
vertising and to withdraw from
retail outlets all offending
advertising and promotion.
WEA made no response.
WAVAW, therefore, was
forced to begin a growing
consumer boycott of Warner/
Electra/Atlantic products
namely Atco, Atlantic,
Asylum, Electra, Nonesuch,
Reprise and Warner Bros,
records.
Media violence against
women perpetuates the myth
that women are victims, natur
ally and happily masochistic.
It contributes to an atmos
phere which trivializes,
condones and encourages acts
of violence such as rape and
battering. It breeds discrim
ination, dehumanization, and
abuse of women.
On Saturday, April 15, the
National WAVAW, in conjunc
tion with the local Winston-
Salem Chapter, will give a
slide presentation at the
YWCA, 1201 Glade Street,
11:00 a.m. and winston-Salem
University, Columbia Heights,
6:00 p.m.
What You Can Do Now
1. Refrain from purchasing
any of the record labels men
tioned above. Use the power
of your purse to express your
horror and disgust at the
irresponsible and insensitive
advertising policies of thsoe
companies.
2. Tell record store managers
that you won't buy WEA
products and explain why.
3. Inform the Recording
Industry Association of
America that you have a grie
vance against WEA. Send
your demands to the following:
Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch
962 N. Lagrange 81.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90069 i
Warner/Reprise
3300 Warner 81.
Burbank, Ca. 91505
Atlantic/Atco
75 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10020
4. If you want to help with this
action, contact:
Laura Rouzan
P.O. Box 5081
Winston-Salem, N.C.
919-725-2261 (in Winston-
Salem)
Women's Coalition
Box 17725
Guilford College, N.C. 27410
or
Collie
919-373-1708 (in Greensboro)
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