Flyers show how group views women

Last fall, at the beginning of the school year, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity put up flyers depicting four naked bodies: one man surrounded by three women. The caption for the photograph read, "Possess the Body you Desire." This eye-catching flyer was used to advertise for the "Carnal Knowledge" party. A group of students, including myself, expressed our concern over the offensive flyers. After learning that they had offended a large portion of the student population, the Phi Delts took all the flyers down and put up flyers apologizing to anyone they "might have offended."

It seems that this fraternity, which prides itself on its "Animal House" image, is up to it again. If you haven't seen them already, I am sure you will soon see the "Carnal Knowledge II" flyers, which have a photograph of a huge-muscled man clutching a voluptuous woman. The caption reads, "Get the Body You Want." It seems that the Phi Delts thought that with a slight adjustment, the flyer and party would no longer be offensive. Well, they still are.

Yesterday I confronted two men who were putting up the flyers. When I asked them if they thought there was anything wrong with the flyers, they replied, "Not unless you have a problem with sexuality." Well I don't have a problem with sexuality, but I do have a problem with predatory sex. The blatant goal of this party is to get laid. When you mix this goal with alcohol you have a dangerous combination. The results are obvious: rape and sexual assault. But I do not want to infringe upon the Phi Delts' freedom of speech. Please don't take the flyers down this year. Keep them up and allow everyone to see how that living group views women: as objects, possessions, meat . . .

I know that all of the first-year students at Duke saw the play "Sounds Dangerous" during their orientation. I played the character "Tad" who was the quintessential insensitive jerk. If you thought that "Tad" was outrageous and unrealistic, think again. There are many Tads who lurk on our campus. You will probably find some at the Carnal Knowledge party. Be safe and careful. Duke is not always a "Gothic Wonderland."

Jeff Lippman

Graduate student, MAT