Technician Editor-in-Chief Ty Johnson sat down with actress Keri Lynn Pratt shortly after the showing of her latest film, “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell,” in Witherspoon to discuss the protests and the characters in the movie.

For an interview with Tucker Max, click here.

For a story on student reactions, click here.

For Tucker Max’s blog post response, click here.

Technician: Did you see the protesters outside and what is your take on the protest?

Keri Lynn Pratt: I actually had some conversations with them.

First of all I was really shocked at the accusations of rape and promoting rape, and I understand that in North Carolina it’s the law that if you’re intoxicated you can’t consent to sexual activities, but I think it’s a slippery slope and a serious issue to confuse frat-boy behavior with such a serious crime as rape.

I actually think they’re dilluting their cause by going after Tucker. Tucker is completely honest with how he treats women and how he acts. He’s not taking them for wine and pretending he’s something else, and he’s not having sex with anyone that’s not consenting.

These girls are throwing themselves at him–why? I don’t know, but they are.

I asked one of the ladies down there, “Have you read the book?” No. “Have you seen the movie?” No. And it’s like what accusations are you having.

He’s not an angel by any means, but he’s also not a rapist by any means.

Technician: Did you come to Raleigh specifically to help promote the movie because of the controversy?

Keri Lynn Pratt: I did because I feel strongly about it. I’m a part of this movie, and the female characters in this movie are so strong and so accessible and are great, women characters that I identify with, so I’m proud of it.

So when they’re slandering Tucker for rape and that it’s promoting this and promoting that, it’s like–it’s not.

It’s also promoting strong women in the middle of the madness and so I really wanted to have that voice so it wasn’t a bunch of guys up on stage.

I’m completely responsible for my decisions and I don’t get wasted-drunk and have sex with men and then regret it–the decisions start early. They don’t start after you’ve had ten drinks and someone has sex with you and the next day you kind of don’t think it was a good idea.

I think it is degrading to women. We’re strong enough to make our own decisions.

That’s why I don’t understand, completely, the debate. Why not hold a protest against girls that are flaunting themselves and making stupid decisions instead of going after Tucker.

Technician: What message would you like to send to the Women’s Center?

Keri Lynn Pratt: I think that rape is a very serious issue that I don’t take lightly. I think that sexism is a very serious issue that I don’t take lightly. I think this movie and Tucker Max is not a representation of those things. He is writing about it and I think more importantly than going after him, they need to teach girls to make the right decisions.

That doesn’t mean throwing yourself and flaunting yourself and acting like whores.