As members of the Women’s Alliance, we are writing in response to the April 19 article entitled “Women’s Alliance Protests Newspaper.” We would like to take this opportunity to reply to the other individuals who were quoted in the article.

First, we feel that even if the DeKalb Nite Weekly does provide women with experience in modeling; this modeling experience does not compensate for the fact that the publication is sexist.

Clearly, the experience these models gain is not in advertising clothing, but in advertising women’s sexuality. Consequently, even though these models may gain experience under the eye of the camera, they become objects in the eyes of many viewers.

Second, we insist that the sexism in the DeKalb Nite Weekly is not diminished by the fact that some women will fully volunteer for it. We feel that just because a woman willfully involves herself in an action that is harmful, that action becomes no less damaging.

In other words, the DeKalb Nite Weekly is sexist in that it presents a negative view of women. It simply does not matter how, why, or whether women get involved; the end result is sexism.

Third, we hold that the models are not the ones to blame for the sexism in the DeKalb Nite Weekly; these models are merely gaining attention in one of the few ways available to women in this country.

Furthermore, we are certain that if the models have a choice whether to pose for the DeKalb Nite Weekly, then surely Frank Trebusak has a choice whether to produce it.

Fourth, we would like to point out the deep sexism in Frank Trebusak’s claim that we are “jealous of the beautiful women” in the DeKalb Nite Weekly.

He attempts to belittle our position by claiming that it is motivated by some lack of “feminine beauty” on our part. Moreover, he reveals that the models are merely objects to him; it is telling that he refers to the women neither as interesting individuals nor as intelligent women.

Christine Lambakis

Communications

Karen Van Fossan

English