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From: todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: erotica/pornography
Message-ID: <341@SCIRTP.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 21-Aug-85 14:54:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: SCIRTP.341
Posted: Wed Aug 21 14:54:04 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 15:08:04 EDT
References: <3700@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: SCI Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC
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> I am not opposed to erotica, but I am opposed to pornography.  To my mind,
> the difference is in the way that gender roles are portrayed.  In erotica,
> both male and female are portrayed as consenting, equally involved adults.
> Pornograghy depicts females (and, in some cases, children) as being subject
> to the sexual desires of a male, whether he is in the picture or not.  
> 
> In short, I think that erotica is about sex, and pornography is about dominance,
> and that pornography goes a long way towards keeping people locked up in the
> stereotypic gender roles, roles which are as stultifying for males as they 
> are for females.  Further, I think any picture (including advertisements, but 
> that's another mail) which demeans or dehumanizes any person should be eschewed.
> 
> 
> 					As always,
> 					Joanne E. Munson
> 
If I read your posting correctly (avoid, but do not censor offensive
portrayals of women), please accept my congratulations on a
sensible response to the issues of pornography and censorship.
A very strong case can be made for the harmful effects of sexist
pornography, but this can never outweigh the importance of a free
press. Believe me, this can of worms is open to too many interpretations.

-todd jones