Jordan River Forum

Sony 'Use me' ads inappropriate in 'IDS'\nThe Graduate and Professional Student Organization (GPSO) of Indiana University, Bloomington would like to express its distress over a series of ads featuring men and women with the text "use me," "manipulate me," "enter me," "crop me," etcetera.\nWe believe the ads cross a line from clever and effective, to disrespectful and degrading.\nThese ads are using sexuality not to celebrate sexuality, but to catch the interest of their target audience. Of course many ads use sexual images and ideas to sell a product, but not all ads objectify and dehumanize. Ads reflect the values and norms of a culture. This ad says we live in a culture where we allow people to be objectified and treated as anonymous sources of sexual gratification.\nWe don't.\nWe live in a country where we are increasingly respectful of the dignity of individuals, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. We're far from perfect, but we're working on it. The IDS typically is a fair and inclusive newspaper that includes coverage of IU's minority organizations' events. We were glad to see "Take Back the Night" and "Vagina Monologue" ads next to these ads. \nWe encourage students to express their support for the inclusive, humanizing advertising and stories in the IDS. Anything less than that is a compromise we don't have to make. \nAndrea McDowell\nCoordinator, on behalf of the Graduate & Professional Student Organization\nArticle assumes religious freedoms\nI am writing in response to Sally Phillips' Closer Look article published in the Oct. 22 issue of the IDS. The purpose of this article, introducing students to a Muslim student from New York, is praiseworthy. Because of the initial backlash, sadly violent in some cases, against Muslims in America, our government, the press, religious organizations and private citizens took actions to make certain that our Muslim visitors and citizens are not harmed and do not have their rights violated. This is a proper and fitting response.\nAt the same time, in our efforts to build acceptance and tolerance, we may smooth over difficulties, and not look deep enough into various issues. In the article, it is written "Nuha recited a verse from the Koran that her parents had told her: "'There is no compulsion in religion.' Not only does the verse reflect a universal spiritual meaning, but it is also a glimpse into the peaceful religion called Islam."\nWhile this verse may reflect Nuha Elkhiamy and her parents' understanding of Islam, and the understanding of Muslims in the United States, to claim that it is universal, and to imply that it is universally accepted, is misleading, and clouds our vision of the world. In many lands, where Muslims form the majority, the religious rights of minorities (often making up significant portions of the population) are not respected. Often, many restrictions exist, and forced conversions and even murders occur. Likewise, the right of a person to convert from one religion to another, guaranteed in the UN Declarations of Human Rights is often not respected. Muslims who convert to another religion often suffer a great deal, and in some countries, can even be killed.\nIt is right to praise Nuha Elkhiamy and her family for their tolerant behavior. However, to extend this compliment to all is not correct, and rings hollow for those who have suffered and are suffering. This is not meant to be simply a condemnation of Islam or all Muslims, but against any who use coercion for conversion or who do not respect the religious rights due to all people. For brevity and clarity's sake I have not spoken about any individual cases or countries, but for more information on the subject you can check the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Web site. \nWe must do what we can to see that the rights of all are protected, whatever their religion, and we must be awake to the suffering of all people everywhere.\nFrank Rausch\nGraduate