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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-11-07, Page 2PAS GE3r 'MRS/RECORD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7,1994 Mws nd fit voiding oro,a 13y Shelley McPhee CLINTON.- Pornography and violence - the problem is evident, the solutions uncer- tain. Concerned men, women and youth are working to find answers to the issue. And still, many, others choose to take the "ostrich -in the sand" attitude. They refuse to face the problem, they refuse to hear the horror stories that accompany pornography and violence. Monica Heide thinks differently. A Kit- chener social worker and member of the Kitchener -Waterloo Status of Women, she stresses, "If I were to do nothing I would be depressed. If I were silent I'd feel ineffec- tive and despairing." Monica and Maurita McCrystal, chairper- son of the K -W Status of Women were in Clinton recently to talk about pornography and violence. They led a discussion group held at Wesley -Willis United Church. About 35 peo- ple attended, included a Youth Group from the Blyth United Church. "Pornography is an upsetting issue," Monica noted, "but it's a problem that needs study." Defining pornography Finding solutions, Monica explained, must begin with a clear understanding and definition of pornography. The word pornography has a Greek background, from the word "porne," mean- ing whore or prostitute and "graphos" meaning writing or depiction. Today, Monica said, pornography means, "Material which sexually stimulates through violence, degradation and humilia- tion. There's no mutuality. It means power and submission." Not all sexual depictions are por- nographic. Monica explained that there is a distinct difference between pornography and erotica. The word erotica is also derived from Greek origins, from Eros, the god of pas- sionate love. Erotica describes sexual love, involving free will, positive choice and mutual feelings of deep fulfillment and yearning. Erotica is seen as a healthy, natural view of sexuality. Pornography, Monica noted, "lies about men and women's sexuality." Many do not realize, or understand, the difference between pornography and erotica. The words are used inter- changeably, but feminists see two distinct meanings. "The common thing they share is sex, but pornography means bought and sold sex and 40. r;. Readt Members of the Blyth United Church Youth Group sat in on a in Clinton. The presentation was given by Kitchener -Waterloo discussion on pornography, held recently at Wesley Willis Church Status of Women members. (Shelley McPhee photo) Maurita McCrystal said that pornography is the focus of a study being undertaken by the Fraser Commission on Pornography and Prostitution. The commission, ap- pointed by the federal government, is ex- pected to present study findings to the government in December. Maurita stressed, "As citizens we need to follow this and stay on top of it. Don't let the government put it by the way. As soon as you're silent, you don't get anywhere." She said that action' is best taken by writing letters to government officials and by voicing concerns to local represen- tatives. "We need changes to the Criminal Code and the Municipal Act. Address that problem to your MP and MPP." erotica has a basis with mutual feelings," Monica said. Ironically, pornography, as we know it to- day, grew from the idea that there was a need for increased awareness of our sexuali- ty. In past decades sexuality was not a sub- ject to be discussed. Some saw this supres- sion as unnatural. In the 1950s a revolu- tionary new magazine, Playboy, was published, to bring about healthy discussion of sexuality. Today Playboy ranks among the dozens of other "skin coags" that have taken the im- ages of sexuality well beyond those original intention: These magazines, Monica said, "strictly show a sexual dimension, nothing more...pornography is a $10 -billion in- dustry. Maurita added, "Hustler defines sexuali- ty. Hugh Hefner defines sexuality, but 411rit*TOS women are not allowed to define it. They're expected to follow along like sex objects." "What's so bad about Playboy?" Monica asked. "A lot of people don't know what's in them (magazines). They don't know that the storyline is incest, women as sex objects." She said that people must educate themselves, to realize what pornography is and to attempt to control it. "We want to blame the producers and the models," she said, "but we must stop this and seriously look at the problem, starting with the obsenity laws. They're out of place and out of date." Legislation under"the Municipal Act must be updated, more municipalities must pass bylaws restricting the display of por- nographic magazines and violent literature should be regulated under hate literature legislation, the Status of Women represen- tatives suggested. are just waiting. They need our support. Classroom education The Kitchener -Waterloo Status of Women is also attempting to introduce curriculum into the schools, under Family Studies, to talk about pornography. Maurita said this type of preventative ac- tion relates to a comment Dalton Camp once said regarding pornography, noting he wasn't so concerned with adults, but with the children. "The bottom line is that the children's views of themselves and the opposite sex are formed by this material (por- nography)," Monica stressed. She said that parents can't ignore the situation, "Don't turn off the television. You can't keep children away from it, but you must explain that it's not appropriate. En- courage them to ask questions." Parenting courses also help to develop better communication skills with children, Monica said. "The best thing we could give our children is self esteem." Monica added, "Our MPs have to know what the constituents want. Some of them Solutions not easy Controlling pornography is not easy. It's big business and part of our lives. Sexual inequality is not only hidden in pages of magazines and on the reels of porn flicks. Maurita explained, "The image of sexual inequality is on TV and in films, not only in Hustler magazines." Monica added, "So much of this has been ingrained and considered acceptable." Society's rules have changed, she said. "Girls are socialized to use their looks to get what they want. They believe that a girl's most important asset is her looks. Women are encouraged to use their looks. Look at the glamor magazines. Men are encouraged to be more macho and career oriented." The changes have led to an unbalanced situation, where sexual inequality dominates. The effects include male superiority and the degradation of women. "Pornography is a sickness,". Monica said, "but society has not discouraged these things. It has encouraged it." Educating the public is the key, according to the Status of Women. They suggested that discussion groups be established in local churches, to look at the problem and possible solutions. "We need some regulations," Monica em- phasized. "If you don't speak up, it means you're condoning this in your community. "Avoiding the subject is easier, but it's not right." Violent pornography denies full y.m� "Violent poinf'glhay creates separation between men and'wotnen and denies both sexes their full humanitiy." That statement was made by eJillian Ridington, in a 30 -page discussion paper on pornography, she prepared for the National Action On The Status of Women in March 1983. Part of the in-depth paper dealt with, the feminist theory of .the function of por- nography. Ridington wrote, "Por- nography.x..hasmany functions, none of which, at least from the perspective of women, is healthy or therapeutic. First, por- nography supports myths about female sex- uality. The dominant theme of most current pornography is that the assault and , degradation of women is necessary for their sexual fulfillment. It says that women whose sexuality if not controlled by men are a threat to society. Worse, it tells us that women whose sexuality is not governed by a male "protector" are at risk; that women cannot move about at will, for "unowned" women are subject to the violence of the rapist. Pornography is propaganda to make women fear their own freedom. .Por- nography, like other forms• of hate literature, limits members of an inden- tifiable group by showing women as parts, Maurita McCrystal, chairperson of the Kithener-Waterloo Status of Women and Monica Heide, also of the Status of Women were in Clinton recently to,lead a public discussion on pornography, the problems and the solutions. (Shelley McPhee photo) Complete This Order Form TODAY for a Huron County Historical Atlas . Pre -Publication Certificate for Christmas Giving ORDER FORM Please send me certificate(s), each of which wilt entitle the bearer to one copy of the 1984 Huron County Historical Atlas upon date of publication. Please print clearly name you wish to appear on each certificate: 1. 1 2. .l Ire I,r.t 3 4. 'Please print below the name and address to which the certificates) and receipt are to he mailed. Name Address Postal Code IuV ti it last Enclosed is my cheque.'monev order payable to: Treasurer. County. of Huron x545.00=5 r,uen9ty .,ignaturP nl purr hasp, total rt from rhri� Please note:— if you already have purchased a patron's listing and wish to have a certificate, this is available to you on request by contacting the atlas office. Additional order forms are available at municipal offices and libraries. Send order forms to: Huron County Goderich. Ontario orN7A 1M2ical 1Office,las County Telephone (519) 524-2950 • Ridin-gton,mde,outofit",... Ridington suggests that pornography can be regulated by a variety of means. It can be controlled. through the CRTC, theHuman Rights Code, censor boards, the courts, the media and through taxation.Her report concluded, "Women are realizing that changing legislation will not, in and of itself, mean the end of pornography. No legislation achieves any aim without the commitment of those who administer the justicesystem, and those who work to over- come crime. We therefore demand that the Minister of Justice meet with the Attorney Generals of the provinces and endeavour to establish guidelines that will reflect the spirit of the law, when and as amended, and encourage respect for justice. • "In the long term, education as to the truenature of pornography and on the large pro- fits being made by the pornographers, coupled with the wide distribution of positive images of women may be the most effectivetools. We therefore demand that funds for feminist research on pornography, monies to travel and conduct workshops, to prepare educational materials arid to fund women who are fighting pornography and the exploitation of . women be made available." ...a dc9in�., ttvuati , ..'`:01'S:P�;^, . i... , a 4 a w.. 4rQ . "nOt-' whble. It tocuses on tnose parts of women's bodies which are essentially female, the .parts that differentiate women from those it teaches to violate us. Violent pornography creates separation between men and women, and- denies both sexes full humanity. "If pornography lies about female sex- uality, it lies about male sexuality as well. Its message is that male arousal is depen- dent on women's pain. In the world of the pornographers, men are incapable of living and giving, of mutualistic sexual joy. While it is true that many men are socialized to equate the violation and degradation of women . with sexual pleasure, there is no sound evidence that this is biologically bas- ed. The equationof violence towards women with male sexual arousal is a product of culture, not of biology. Pornography is an ideological element which teaches and allows men such an equation, thus alien - toting them, as well as women, from truly knowing' their own capacity for sexual in- timacy." Ridington further noted, "Pornography exists because more :human. beings in our society are confuged'and anxious about the free expression of their sexuality. It exists to keep women in their place. 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