‘Technician’ should not cover Playboy

I wanted to express my concern with the recent Playboy advertising within the Technician. As I understand the need for financial support in any newspaper, I do not feel that this is the kind of advertising that should take place within our college’s paper. Playboy is an organization that contributes greatly to the objectification of women in our society and in turn, verifies the rape culture we have created. This company uses nude female models displayed in provocative positions to please a male-dominated audience.

These women are seen and used only for their bodies and that outlook devalues the need for an education. Therefore, to prey on the women within an educational setting only further generates a hostile environment in which the female students feel discriminated against and targeted for, not their education, but their bodies. I urge the newspaper to think about the implications of posting advertisements for Playboy. I strongly encourage the editors of the Technician to omit any articles following the process of the Playboy interviews or that discuss the winners. I would hope that there is not a repeat of 2004’s cover story where the female students of N.C. State are displayed half-naked in celebration of objection. If you choose to print such articles again, I, as well as others, will continue to write letters and, if it comes to it, boycott the Technician. Thank you for taking this into consideration. I hope you will make the right decision.

Kelsey Lambdin

junior, women’s and gender studies

Playboy exploits women

In 2004, the Technician grotesquely covered Playboy’s recruitment of NCSU women. There were multiple scandalous articles that included sexist quotes, and even the racy pictures of our classmates (of course their bodies were blurred, but not their faces). So instead of covering the many extraordinary things that the Women’s Center, the Movement, WISE, sororities, etc. are doing throughout the year, the Technician chose to cover Playboy’s presence. And now, the Technician is advertising for Playboy again. Playboy is not women empowerment. It is nothing more than paid sexual abuse operated by a male dominated organization.

Studies show that after viewing pornography men are more likely to report decreased empathy for rape victims, report believing that a woman who dresses provocatively deserves to be raped, report anger at women who flirt but then refuse to have sex, report decreased sexual interest in their girlfriends or wives, report increased interest in coercing partners into unwanted sex acts.

As college women we have the opportunity and privilege to obtain a higher education. We are capable of using our experiences and skills to contribute to the improvement of our society. We do not exist in society to have our bodies exploited nor objectified for sexual pleasure of others. Playboy thinks that they can come here and degrade women and demean our campus reputation. We cannot allow this smut to be glorified ever again.

Maria McDuffie

Senior – Women’s Center Staff

{Editor’s note: the word length requirement  for this letter has been waived}

The Comedian is not a hero

 I, in no way, shape, or form support rape and saying that Watchmen supports rape is absolutely absurd. Joshua Hamilton [in his March 19 campus forum letter] obviously can not distinguish between something that is meant for entertainment and something that is meant to be taken seriously. Movies are a form of art and expression that sometimes deal with complex issues just like theater.

 Joshua must have not read Watchmen or he would have known that the story is complex and deals with some tough issues. The Comedian is not a hero, such as Batman or Superman. Rather he is a tragic hero. Although he started out doing good for society, the events in his life and his flaw human nature led to his downfall. The Comedian realized that life is not all fun and games it is complex and if we can not control ourselves and see the difference between right and wrong, we will ultimately become a tragic hero. This implies that The Comedian’s name is a paradox.

Children are not going to see this movie because it is rated R for obvious reasons such as rape, nudity and violence.

Do not criticize the entertainment industry for doing its job and showing a movie that is meant for entertainment. Instead of complaining, why don’t you use this opportunity as a teachable moment and let people know about the evils of rape and just enjoy the movie as a movie. The only reason I would turn people away from seeing this movie is if they had not read the graphic novel first.

Joshua, if you are not mature enough to watch an R rated movie and deal with the adult issues that may come up, maybe you should go home to whatever sheltered bubble you came from and watch G rated movies. Oh wait Bambi’s mom got shot so don’t watch that or you might start complaining about hunting too.

Jake Anderson

sophomore, biological sciences