Technician
wednesday february
10 2010
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
‘Price of Pleasure’ inspires discussion Presented to audience of 50-75, film discusses influence of porn in mainstream media Alanna Howard News Editor
Jordan Moore/Technician
Dr. Robert Jensen, author of “Getting off: Pornography and the end of Masculinity,” speaks at the Witherspoon Cinema after the viewing of the film “the Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality, and Relationships.” Jensen answered questions following the film.
In a special screening of the “The Price of Pleasure: The Role of Pornography in Heterosexual Relationships,” Dr. Robert Jensen hosted a question and answer session following the documentary on Tuesday. The film is directed by Miguel Picker and Chyng Sun and the event was sponsored by the Women’s Center. A professor at the University of Texas-Austin School of Journalism, Jensen has authored several books focused on examining the pornography industry, including “Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity” and “The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege.” The film examined the emergence of pornography as a visible and profitable industry, and it’s increased stance in mainstream media. Topics such as violence of women in the porn industry, the influence of homosexual pornography and the rise of content that is increasingly sexist and racist left students with conflicting emotions at the end of the piece. Kristi Jones, a masters student in science and communications, said the film was overall interesting, but the conclusion did not give her emotions a direction. “It evoked an interesting conflict because I
found that it was possible to respond physically but at the same time it was disgusting,” she said. “I wasn’t sure how to reconcile the two feelings, both happen at the same time but there is no direction to lead me to one over the other.” According to Jensen there are two schools of critique for pornography, the “feminist and the religious, conservative critique.” In his discussion following the film, Jensen said he followed the “feminist critique” of pornography. He said the feminist critique is concerned with the harm of mass consumption of pornography. “This school of critique focuses on the conditions of porn, what happens to women who are in porn films and the attitudes of male behavior in response to porn.” The film parallels various experts in the pornography business, producers, critics and performers with observations of men and women in discussions over the role of pornography in shaping society’s views of relationships and male/female interaction. Lauren Hazel, a sophomore in human biology, said she reacted with surprise to the film. “Honestly I was pretty surprised about the amount of violence associated with porn,” she said. Jensen said violence associated with porn is mainstream in today’s culture, but that does not make it acceptable. “With porn there are two trends. There is the temporary porn paradox where that states there is no controversy and that since porn is so normalized there should not be objection to it and the other school of thought that understands
Hillsborough Street renovations two months ahead of schedule
the content is overly cruel to women and overly racist,” he said. According to Jensen during his question and answer session, Hollywood is no match for the porn industry. “Hollywood makes around 600 films a year, whereas the porn industry makes around 13,000 films a year,” he said. This number was met with surprise by Sommer Snyder, a sophomore in sports management. “I had no idea about the amount of porn out there or with how the porn stars sell their bodies to that extent,” she said. To exemplify his point on pornography traits in mainstream culture, Jensen described an ad contest publicized by American Apparel. The ad encourages “women to take pictures of their butts and send it in for the ‘best butt’ campaign,” he said. “This shows the degraded state of our culture and yet it’s happening with major apparel industries in this country.” In response to a question about the variety of pornography, Jensen said everything can be made into pornography. “Whatever you can imagine, I guarantee someone has made a porn about it and made money off of it,” he said. Teah Watson, a sophomore in finance, said the discussion made him want to read Jensen’s books. “This was a very good talk, and this has made me want to read his books,” he said.
Sorority Spring Recruitment kicks off Second round of recruiting sees increase in interest, more relaxed atmosphere
Despite inclimate weather, construction progressing Joanna Banegas
John Cline
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
According to a Hillsborough Street project newsletter, the project will be completed before the September 2010 deadline. Jayne Kirkpatrick, director of public affairs for the City of Raleigh, said the construction on Hillsborough Street is well on schedule. “We’re not experiencing any problems and it’s looking good,” she said. “It is a step forward towards the completion of the project.” Kirkpatrick said she’s sure businesses have been impacted but said she appreciated their patience. “They’ve been very understanding of the whole process,” she said. Bo Jones, manager of Hannah Grilled Subs on Hillsborough Street, said he thinks people are tired of having to pay for tickets and they don’t want to go through the hassle of finding a parking spot. “Our customers are affected because they don’t know where to park,” Jones said. “Some people want to eat but they simply can’t find anywhere to park or it’s too dangerous to use the crossway due to the heavy traffic during the day.” Jones said this problem has been hurting business. “This is affecting students when they want to get to the businesses across the street,” Jones said. “Sometimes the crosswalks are too far apart if you want to get to a specific business on Hillsborough Street. But I believe the construction company is doing a wonderful job.” The Hillsborough Street and Pullen Road intersection will operate as a large single-lane roundabout while construction is in process. After the construction is completed, it will become the only two-lane roundabout in Raleigh. Kirkpatrick said the transportation engineers found they had to address the traffic patterns on Hillsborough Street practically. “Hillsborough Street really fits the need for roundabouts in Raleigh,” Kirkpatrick said. Zainab Baloch, a freshman in biological sciences, said she likes the
Luis Zapata/Technician file photo
Hamlett Construction workers tear up a part of Hillsborough Street at the Oberlin Road intersection. Construction has caused sidewalk closings between Oberlin and Gardner Street. All businesses have seen fewer customers since the start of construction.
roundabout that has been built and it’s better than having to wait for the light at a normal street. “When I saw the roundabout I was surprised that it was already completed,” she said. “I didn’t see it coming so soon but hopefully after all the waiting and frustration about the construction it will be worth it in the end.” Kirkpatrick also said the engineering and construction division planned the process very well. “We’re fortunate to have good weather and a very good contractor,” she said. Baloch said she didn’t like to wait for traffic every day because the bus is late and she commutes for school.
“It’s not hard to find an alternative route like Western Boulevard,” she said. “Instead of using downtown, I just use the highway.” The project newsletter said as the construction moves to the north side of the street, two lanes of traffic will be open and on-street parking will be available on the south side. The roundabouts at Hillsborough Street, Pullen Road and Oberlin Road opened to traffic in December 2009.
Spring recruitment has traditionally drawn fewer chapters and prospective members; that is, until this year, when the Panhellenic Council has seen an increase in organizations throwing their hats into the fray. Jennifer Moore, president of the Panhellenic Council and a junior in biology, says the reasons are mostly logistical. “Each year we are supposed to look at recruitment numbers and adjust chapter membership quotas based on an across-the-board average,” Moore said. “After rush this fall a lot of sororities took new girls so last week we voted to raise it to 122 from 114, which is substantial.” Mary English Comer, a junior in elementary education and a member of Delta Delta Delta, said she echoed Moore’s sentiments that the increased expectations were bringing out more chapters but also said other reasons were in play. “Of course it is partly to meet the new quota set by the Council, but we’re also out here to increase sisterhood and build up Greek Life as a whole,” Comer said. Even with a membership quota in place, it is still up to the individual chapters to decide whether or not to participate in spring rush and the Council does not levee any penalties if quota is not met. “Any penalties for not meeting the quota is up to the National Organization of each chapter,” Moore said. Mike Sullivan, a junior in civil engineering and vice president of the Interfraternity Council, said he believes there is a more economical reason for the increased chapter participation. “Because of the economy membership is down for all Greek life, and they need to do spring rush to meet quotas,” he said. “But either way it is a great chance for girls who were unsure in the fall to come out and get a much better experience than usual in the spring.” On Tuesday, a Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment Call Out was held from 3
p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Talley Ballroom where each chapter had an information table set up and representatives were available to speak with any interested girls. All in attendance seemed excited, if not somewhat unsure about what turnout would actually be. “We’re really excited,” Comer said. “Since spring rush is so informal with no official sign-up, the girls just go to whichever houses they want, so we have no idea as far as numbers go but hopefully we’ll get a good crowd.” Moore agreed, saying that while more chapters than usual were expected, they did not yet know exactly who would and would not be participating. “We haven’t heard from all [the chapters] yet on who’s doing it or not,” she said. “At Call Out all the chapters will be present and interested girls can come see and find out who is doing recruitment.” The Call Out drew a good crowd for a rainy day, and all the prospective new members, including Grace Gunner, a freshman in business, said they were looking forward to spring rush for its more relaxed atmosphere, and had waited until spring for various reasons. “As a freshman, I was really busy my first semester and nervous that I would get in over my head rushing in the fall,” Gunner said. “ Waiting until spring seemed like a more responsible idea.” Michelle Rosplock, a sophomore in communications, said she agreed. “I waited until the spring because I had a lot going on in the fall with a job, etc., and fall rush is so much more time consuming,” she said. “It’s also my last chance to go through it, as a sophomore.” Agreement was reached that increased participation for any reason is always a good thing and that the more relaxed atmosphere can make Greek Life more accessible. “Any time chapters can add members it’s always a good thing,” Moore said. “And since it’s a little more laid back, girls who don’t like the formal recruitment setting will be more comfortable, without having to go through rounds, etc.” According to Moore, interested girls who missed the Call Out should contact the Office of Greek Life for more information regarding this spring’s recruitment.