Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / April 7, 1993, edition 1 / Page 3
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page three April 7,1993 iCampus E^torial CoLuiterpoint Point Students debate Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue Lisa Youngblood Senior Major: American Civilization History and Political Studies In the day of “women’s lib,” where do we draw the line? High paid models and celebrities are willing to exploit their own bodies and be a catalyst in the degradation of women world-wide. Unless we are willing to put moral principles above money, women will continue to be looked upon as sex objects. Some people would argue that women have a right to choose to be sex objects if they want to, and I agree with that argument, but I do not agree with what this type of activity does, and has done to damage the image of women around the world. Perhaps no pubUcationl^ done more damage to the image of women than Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition which insuUs the intelligence of women and proves that sex sells. This type of advertising undermines the intelligence of women around the world because women are ranked for their measure ments, not their academic abilities, or professional goals. Dr. Linnea Smith, wife of Coach Dean Smith, recently made a statement about the Sports swimsuit edition that verifies my point. Shesaid,'T'or51 weeks they ^ow some commitment to a level playing field for men and women, l^en they put out the swimsuit issue that says we’re just babes after all.” As long as women are viewed as “just babes,” women will continue to rank second to men in society and in the workplace. Furthermore, as long as the exploitation of women remains a billion dollar industry, some women will find it easier to use their bodies than their minds to make a living. Sports Illustrated is not unlike any other magazine, T.V. show, or any other form of advertisement for that matter because tiiey all use sex, they know that sex sells, and they are using women to make the money. Some of the best examples are some of the name brands that have become householdwords. For example Calvin Klein’s Obsession commercials do not hesitate to feature women in explicit positions with only the barest of essentials out of public view, and there is usually some handsome man all over the woman. Supposedly if you wear Obsession then men will become obsessed with you, NOT! It is even getting so bad that the Hanes underwear commercials are not suitable for family viewing. It is abundantly clear that nude bodies sell products; a little skin definitely goes a long way, all the way fiom the national to the local levels of entertainment and advertising. Tlie exploitation of women has had such an overwhelming effect on society that it has trickled down to some of the smallest towns in the U. S. TTiis can be seen in the multitudes of clubs like "Hie Doll House and The Crazy Horse which feature topless women dancers. For a mere fifty dollars you can even get a woman to dance privately for you on your own table. Come on ladies, are we not worth more than tfiis? 1 am proud to be a woman, and 1 wish women everywhere would share my feelings. It is time to stop the exploitation of women, and start a new image that portrays womeninamoreprofessionalandintelligentlight. Can youimagine the condemnation that Hillary Clinton would have endured if she had done see POINT page seven Rachel Ogilvie Senior Major: Art Education One woman is a model for Sports Illustrated’% swimsuit issue; the other is a corporate lawyer and a feminist who would never pose in a swimsuit. The lawyer has every right not to pose, and not look at the photos of those who do, But does she have the right to say that posing is not only wrong for her, but is wrong for every woman. I firmly believe every woman has the right to choose her own career. I also believe she should not be aiticized for her decision by anyone. Women not only have the right to freedom of expression, but they also have the right to make their own choices regardless of how others perceive it. For this reason I feel the recent article a^^Iauding the toning down of the swimsuitissue.leadbyLinneaSmithis wrong. Tlie constitution grants every person in the United States the right to free dom of exiwession. Everyone does what she feels in morally correct and what she can live with. No one has the right to push her views and beliefs on others. That would be an outright infilngement of others’ rights and may be considered censorship. Such self-anointed censors are Dean Smith’s wife, Linnea SmiOi, and columnist John Leo who ^plaud Sports Illustrated’s toning down of the swimsuit issue. Hie swimsuit issue has been a tradition for ye^s, and both men and women look forward to it and enjoy it. Now, I understand some women find models in seductive poses disgusting and would never want any part of it But because some feel that way, do they have the right to say no one can be a part of it. The right that they should be exercising is not to buy (he magazine or not to look at it. No one has the right to force what you don’t wantto see on you. My point is if a model wants to wear next to nothing and stick her rump in the air for a picture, then that is her prerogative. Who will stand in judgment for all women? A feminist or a model? Feminists feel that the swimsuit issue and stripping is degrading to all women. Well obviously they haven’t spoken to the models or the dancers because they don’t fee! the same way and they are a part of the population of women. An example of this is when the Dollhouse opened in Raleigh. Many feminists were outraged. 1 know a girl that works there and does not feel degraded and loves her job because of the money she makes. Personally I could never take off my clothes in fi’ont of a group of men, but that is my choice. Because I would not do it and I feel it is wrong does not give me the right to say it is degrading and wrong for all. Don’t get me wrong; I am grateful for all changes feminists have brought ^ut and we have come a long way thanks to them. I just feel feminists like Linnea Smith have gone too far in taking on the task of deciding how all women feel or should feel. Feminists have too many stereotypes of what a nineties woman should do and should not do. Whether a housewife, a lawyer, or a stripper we are all women with personal choices to make. We may not all agree with other women’s choices, but we need to learn to respect others and not stand in judgment of one another. Isn’t it wonderful that we live in a country where we are allowed to choose our own careers? I would hate it if someone pushed her views on me or if she CTiticizes the choices I made. I may not agree with every woman’s choices, but I will always respect her right to freedom of self-exf^essioa au! her right to choose.
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