Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Blair Sills Junior English Cedar Brook, NJ Meleah White Junior Psychology (CAU) Springfield, MA Freddie Craig Soph omore Political science Pittsh ur gh,PA Wesley Franklin MarieGakrielle Jones Junior Sopkomore Ckemistry Ckemistry (Spelman) Greenskoro, NC Cleveland Heigkts, OH “I think it’s a wonderful and great [event], hut, yes, it’s sexist." “I don’t think it’s sexist personally because in certain scenes, you see equal amounts of flesh [f rom men and women], if it was one sex being exploited, then it would be sexist.” “I don’t think so. if they choose to be in it, they choose to he in it. You can’t make decisions for people.” “No, because sexist means showing favoritism to or exploiting one gender. if the show is showing equal amounts of flesh/nudity of both genders, then there is no favoritism. “I think that the fashion show is sexist because it exploits women. Not even the fashion show itself, more so the advertisements. It’s degrading and I feel that real women would not participate in such events.” Miss Maroon & White pageant: An exercise in sexism By Heather Thompson Guest Commentary Perhaps I just expect too much. However, it seems to me that as conscious, educated African Americans, we should be taking bold steps toward creating a world for ourselves which is free of the rank stench of sexism. The Miss Maroon & White pageant reeks of it and I think it is time we clear the air. Webster's New College Dictionary defines pageant as "an elaborate public dramatic presentation" and as "a showy display." If the men of Morehouse were using this definition to measure the success of the pageant, I would contend that they have succeeded — resoundingly. I have seen enough sequins and attempts at poise and comportment during the course of the pageants to last a lifetime. However, if the college is seeking to redefine the ways in which it views and treats women, it has failed — miserably. Contrary to popular belief, this is not an event that honors women. It is simply the grandest display of relegating women to being trophies. And every year young women from Spelman College compete against each other to win the right to be top mantle piece. They put on their finery and make-up, hoping and praying that they will have what it takes to impress the men of Morehouse enough to garner their votes. The air is filled with nervous trepidation as these women put it all on the line in an attempt to knock the collective socks off Morehouse. The entire process harks back to the days when African Americans were required to parade on auction blocks for perspective slave buyers. It is inarguable that by sponsoring this pageant, Morehouse College is directly aiding in the subjugation of women. Invariably, this column will raise questions about the validity of the Miss Spelman pageant. However, the two events and the roles of the women who win them differ in several key ways. A contestant in the Miss Spelman competition becomes a full-fledged member of the Spelman Student Government Association upon winning. That means she assumes the same responsibilities as all other elected student leaders on campus. These requirements are clearly defined in the Spelman College handbook, and the winner is required to initiate a yearlong community service project in order to retain her title. None of this can be said about Miss Maroon & White. This is not an attempt to diminish the community service projects some of the past queens have undertaken. It is to highlight the fact that nowhere in any literature that Morehouse makes available to the general public is the role of Miss Maroon & White defined. Would I be hasty in concluding that the role of Miss Maroon & White, then, is to be pretty and poised but not empowered? Thompson is a senior studio art major at Spelman College. After graduation, she plans to join the Peace Corps. Michael Colyar will make ., AIDS come concert, The comedian's thought- humor both tickles the bone the mind, and has been described as "conscience comedy.' The concert, to be held in King Chapel at 8 p.m., will be emceed by alumnus Ken Rye and include a by Sirius B. Colyar is best known for h i s appearances on "Showtime at the Apollo;*' It is simply the grandest display of relegating women to being trophies. And every year young women from Spelman College compete against each other to win the right to be top mantle piece.