Toronto Metropolitan University's Independent Student Newspaper Since 1967

All Editorial Letter to the editor

Getting it out in the open: March 8, 1995

Re: “Making Whoopie” photos, Feb. 15

What is the matter with you people? Can you not see the value the photos have? That was not pornography, nor was it disgusting, it was the free and true expression of an important part of human life, produced for an intelligent, open minded generation.

The Eyeopener is not published for generations of the past with their ultra-conservative beliefs based on the idea that “we don’t discuss anything less than 100 per cent socially acceptable.” It is published for the generation that understands that sexuality, drugs, violence, etc. really do exist and need to be discussed freely, not hidden.

To all of you who are really upset by the photos: the next time you take a shower, look at yourself. The next time you look at your parents, consider the probability that they had been in the exact same positions (or others which you would find “gross” if shown in the paper) at least once in order to create you. Then look at everyone around you. on TV, or think of those you’ve never met—under our clothes we all look the same.

If you look up the dictionary definition of pornography, you’re probably right, that probably was porn. Realistically, though, the articles and photos were not meant for anyone to get off on so, unless you did, it really does not qualify.

I do see the argument that people should have been warned about what was in the paper. Not everybody cared to see the pictures. Please, just make the sacrifice and turn the page instead of getting upset—there’s more at stake than loss or gain of readership. If we start to question ourselves and what we include in our media, we are being censors—valueless murderers of free thought, independence, and enrichment of ideas within society. The censored media is constrained by what is considered moral by a few loud voices, thus creativity is inhibited and nothing but recycled ideas are visible. If you don’t want to look, don’t, but please don’t help to close doors.

Finally, a point in regards to Michael Stea’s letter in which he refers to The Eyeopener as “The Eyecloser”: as soon as you say anything that lame, your argument is automatically invalidated.

“And pets, too! That’s right! Underneath their fur and feathers they’re all completely naked! Yes, naked!” – Sam the American bald eagle from The Muppet Show.

Jarrod Hoogendam
Business 1

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