Editorial Nude women of women's colleges Playboy magazi:ie plans to do a feature in an upcoming issue on the women of women’s colleges. Oh goody. Just the opportunity for publicity we’ve been looking for. There would be little argument that periodicals of this ilk are exploiting women. The larger question seems to be whether it is acceptable for adult women to allow themselves to be exploited in this or any other fashion. We allow the Madison Ave. moguls to sell their clients’ products with television ads that are so sleazy, sometimes it’s hard to believe they're only pushing something as benign as cake mix and laundry products. “Oh, you sweet talker, Betty Crocker,” Do we really think that whipping up a two layer fudge delight is going to ellict heavy breathing from the lucky recipient’ In a recent bar soap ad, a young woman whips the towel off a naked man’s behind as the announcer tells us their soap is good for "doing cheeks." Print ads are no better. Men and women drape themselves all over each other, wearing nothing more than the fragrance which seems to inspire their behavior. Jewelry ads prompt male readers to buy diamonds for their girlfriends, noi-so*sublly implying that gifts will bring payment in kind. ’Hie reason this type of ad is seen so often is because it works. We believe what we see. We hear the message. We buy the product. Sex sells. And it will continue to sell as long as we put up with that kind of exploitive behavior. Playboy isn’t going to have a bit of trouble finding enough pert young bodies to fill the pages of its special issue, due out in April. The women they use will say things like, “Why shouldn’t 1 be proud of my body? I’m not ashamed to show my body." It’s great to feel good about your body. God has truly given us a wonderful system of bones and muscles and little tiny cells that all work together to keep us alive and healthy. Precious few of us, though, have .measurements society deenis perfect. ' Women are known to be more critical of their shape than are men of theirs. That trend is likely to continue as long as ad cxecs and magazine publishers continue to use young slim women and handsome well-built men to build profit margins. Our bodies should be treasured, not exploited. Letters to the Editor Courtesy lost at holiday celebrations Dear Editor, Have we lost respea for each other? Does anyone know the meaning of common courtesy anymore? I'm not so sure after tonight. I have just returned from some of Meredith’s traditional hoUsay activities and I am apalled at the behavior 1 witnessed. It began with the Holiday Dinner. Many people worked hard planning and implementing the dinner. During the welcoming remarks as well as the entertainment by the Meredith Ensemble, students were talking and laughing as if they were attending a picnic in the courtyard. Not only did the performers deserve the attention of these students, but quiet would have been appreciated by all of us trying to listen to the speakers and singers.At the very least these students should have behaved since President Weems abd the Chairman of the Board of Trustees were in attendance. But it did not end with dinner. After dinner I attended the Moravian Love Feast in the chapel. This service is very beautiful and meaning^il because the congregation takes pan in singing carols as they worship. Unfortunately the people sitting behind me chose to use the hour to catch up on conversation. They ulked during the anthems sung by the Meredith Ensemble and they talked during the brief sermon. If they wanted to socialize, I wish they had gone somewhere else. The service couldn't have had much meaning for them. Because of their talking, they must have missed the reason for being there. It’s time that we all examine our behavior in public. Are we considerate of others? Do we talk at movies or lectures or church services?Do we care that our rudeness causes others to be uncomfotable? It doesn’t take much effort to be courteous. All it really takes is just a little thought. This is a season of giving. Why don’t we consider giving the gift of courtesy. Becky Bradshaw © The Meredith HertUd Publtohcd every Monday during the acheoi yetr. l«Uior>liKhlef JulU Hukea Builoew Manager Kym Spell Managing Editor Kim Peeples Aidvertlaing Manager Kathleen Thrnnas Advertising Staff Muffett Brlnkmtn Kelly Underwood Copy Editors Jane Kennedy Kathleen Thomaa CXASSSECnON Freshman Edlton Sophomore Editor Junior Editor Senior Editor Non-Resident Editor WINGS Edlmr Graduate School Editor Muffett Brinkman Allison Hodges OPEN Jane Kennedy Kim Peeples LeeConndly Kathleen Thomaa OPEN ACADEMICS SECnm Academics/Faculty Editors Art, Music, Speech Patricia Underwood & Theatre Biology 6 Chemistry Mary Beth Owen Business & Economics Susan Moore Bngiish Catherine Han Education OPEN Foreign Language Jane Kennedy Health, PS & Dance Janie Mullls History & Politics OPEN Home Economics OPEN /ntemational Studies Janie Mullls Psychology OPEN Religion 6 mhsophy OPEN Sociology and Social VPbnk OPEN ADMINISTRATION SECTION Administration Editor OPEN Student Services Editor Julia Haskea STUDENT LIFE SECTION Clubs/Organlzatlons Editors Kim Peeples Kelly Urtderwood Sports Editor AUlson Hodges Entertainment Editors Beth Lowry Patricia Underwood Features Editors Kym Spell Patricia Underwood Susan Cates NEWS SECTION Campus News Local 9t International News ART SECTION Photography Editorial Cartoonists Arts Critic Layout Advisor Kym Spell Julia Hasken Julia Hasken Allison Hodges Kym spell Pam Maxwell Karen Jamion OPEN Julia Haskett Janie Mullb Becky Bradshaw The MeredUb Hermid Meredith College 5800 Hillsborough Street, Box X133 Raleigh, NC 27607*5296 Drop box: beside box ofnee, Cate Center Campus ofHce: Second floor Cate Center Phone: 829-2824 Printed by Hinton Press, Mebane, NC Advertising rate* available on request Editorial Policy The Meraditb HeraU is published by Meiedlth College during the scadecnlc year. 'Die paper (s (Unded by the College snd through advertising. The Her»U retains the right not to publish mateilai eontalnlrtg personal attacks. Insults, ridicule, or libelous state ments. All leuen to the editor must be signed, although the author^ name will be witheld from publication If requeaced The opinions ex- preued In editorial columns and lenen to the editor do not necessarily reflea those of the college admlniscradon, faculty, or student body. mereditb cxdU^ I'age 2 !')ecefi\ber 10, 1990