Thank you for your bravery. Pulitzer.

It’s not degrading if it’s what “Lisa Marie” wants to do with her life. But I think the R&B could just as easily have shown a picture of her face instead of her scantily-clad butt. Or did she not want her face shown? And if she didn’t want her face shown, is it because she doesn’t want to be recognized? Why does she not want to be recognized if she is proud of herself for auditioning for Playboy? BTW, no, I didn’t read the whole column (or any of it, for that matter) because, plainly stated, I didn’t want to be seen looking at a picture of a butt in black lingerie.

Aren’t you calling yourself a hypocrite in this post? You’re saying that it is bad for a professor and/or university to make degrading statements about woman (which I agree with). But you claim that the reason you used this photo on the front page is because “[you] know [your] audience. [You] know [you] cater to a group of 18 to 24-year-olds. [You] know what will catch [our] eye.”

Essentially, you’re saying, “You’ll read this paper because we put a half naked woman on the front page — and that’s the only reason you’ll read this paper.”

Isn’t that degrading to both men and women?

Lew

I have no problem with the picture on the front page but I do not agree with the content of the article. I respect the fact that you are trying to make people aware that not all Playboy models are dumb blonds but suggesting that being a Playboy model is about being sexy, confident, and intelligent is taking it a little far. Playboy is just pictures of naked or half-naked women that society views to be “hot”, no matter how you slice it. I know numerous confident, intelligent women that Playboy would not deem worthy of being in the magazine due to their physical appearance. Let’s be honest, if the girl on the cover’s rear did not look so appealing in that picture, Hugh Hefner would have absolutely no interest in her, no matter what degree she may be pursuing. That’s not to say that she is not perfectly intelligent and confident but being a Playboy model first requires having the ideal body and being whatever Hugh Hefner considers “sexy”. Putting girls that are pursuing serious careers in Playboy is just Hugh Hefner’s way of trying to not look like a total pig.
Also, I don’t consider Hugh Hefner seeing my half-naked body as an “honor” but of course, that’s only my personal opinion. I certainly hope the author was being satirical when she wrote that but I fear she wasn’t.

post nudez

You proved that sex sells. Congratulations.
(By the way, I found it funny that the article mentioned Playboy isn’t looking for a girl with “blonde hair and big boobs”, yet the picture is clearly of someone with blonde hair; I’d wager she’s not an A cup either).

The thing is, it’s all related. Insofar as any of us have free will, I’m sure that Lisa Marie believes she chose to pose for the photo shoot and that she truly has dreamed of being in Playboy since high school. The same can clearly not be said about victims of sexual harassment or assault. However, both phenomena (Playboy and sexual violence or intimidation) exist within the same culture–a culture that permits and promotes victim-blaming and slut-shaming, a culture in which 1/6 of women are the victims of attempted or completed rape (compared to 1/33 men), a culture in which women are still routinely judged by their appearance rather than their competence, a culture in which women are as much as 10 times more likely to have an eating disorder than men, a culture in which women still only earn about 80 cents per dollar that men make.

The problem is, we can’t make cultural changes by focusing on individual behaviors. Often when I teach about the sexualization of women’s images in the media (and yes, I teach women’s studies), students respond that “sex sells”–quite a reasonable, rational point to make, and not dissimilar to the editorial justification offered above: we used this image because we knew it would get your attention and get you to read the paper. (Never mind that The Red and Black is not a paper people pay for; I’m uncertain as to why its circulation numbers would matter much, but I’ll accept there may be a reason of which I’m unaware.) But these decisions (the decision to pose for Playboy, the decision to run this photo, etc.) don’t exist in a vacuum. They are a both a reflection of current cultural values and a further reiteration of those values, and they have implications.

One cannot (or perhaps I mean one SHOULD not, if one wishes to be intellectually rigorous and consistent) simultaneously criticize and pander to patriarchal norms and values. The social environment that compels rape, discrimination, abuse, self-loathing, misogyny, victim-blame, and so on is the selfsame environment that encourages girls to dream of being in Playboy and newspaper editors to justify publishing images of scantily-clad women. If you fail to see how those things are connected, you are missing the bigger picture. At best, it strikes me as disingenuous and lazy to imply that one sex-related phenomenon occurring on campus is unrelated to other sex-related phenomena on campus; at worst it strikes me as willfully stupid.

Please understand that this is not simply me being a pearl-clutching prude; I am not opposed in the least to the celebration of human sexuality, and I do indeed believe that owning one’s sexuality can be a fulfilling and empowering endeavor. I’m just not convinced that this is what it looks like, and I’m put off by the blithe assertion that the R&B is not part of the problem when it prints an image such as this one.

I’m not quite sure what is empowering about posing for a jerk off magazine…

Bravery: 1) My uncle, a lieutenant colonel in the Army who fought in World War II Europe. 2) My grandmother, a woman who owned and published a newspaper in Kentucky for 28 years despite the gender biases of that time and place.

Pandering disguised as bravery: 1) Taking your clothes off for Playboy. 2) Running front-page T&A stories about soft porn, gussied up with claims of “empowerment” that are really just test-marketed sound bites from the soft-porn industry.

Last fall it was alcohol, now it’s sex. When I disagreed with the editorial direction last fall, I was contacted and taken to task by one R&B writer who informed me that the booze-and-boobs stories are how the R&B “appeased our audience.” This seems to be where journalism is these days–appeasement. Those who are familiar with that word in the context of Neville Chamberlain and WWII know where appeasement ends up.

So what you did was pander to sensationalism?

“Playboy” might be showcasing nude women as well as their academic and professional achievements, however, it is still pornographic in content and its support thereof in a newspaper distributed freely across campus is not acceptable. It only comes off as an ill thought out attempt to generate controversy.
The image on the front page of the newspaper today is inappropriate because it is borderline pornographic. Furthermore, it is offensive to be targeted with porn because of our age group. Not all 18-24 year olds are interested in “Playboy” or condone its activities, and not all students at UGA fit that age group.
In addition, I do not believe this event occurred on campus. It occurred at The Holiday Inn, which is in downtown Athens. Therefore, that reason, cited for its selection as a story for the front page of a newspaper entitled “The Red and Black,” and produced for UGA students, is irrelevant. Overall, displaying borderline pornographic pictures on the newspaper’s front page all over campus is a cheap stab at stirring controversy to gain publicity, or more readers.

From a female student’s perspective: the article is not empowering. This article is trash. Getting naked does not require intelligence. The Holiday Inn is not part of “campus”…it is private property. Professional women who were photographed naked for Playboy probably get hell for it later in life. Being a Playmate may even prevent such women from running for certain positions, for example, political office. I don’t respect your paper.

I didn’t really find the article “empowering” at all. This girl also fails to realize that when she goes PA School in the Fall there will be people at MCG with her that receive the magazine and they will recognize in. In fact, even though she didn’t give her name out it wasn’t that hard to Facebook the name “Lisa Marie” and find one who attends UGA and has blonde hair. I’m all for women embracing their bodies, but she falls to realize that this image of her butt cheeks is being seen by all of her professors on campus and peers. The story honestly wasn’t FRONT page worthy to be honest, but we know that you all did it just to spark controversy. Yes, the girl got into the MCG PA program making her BOOK smart but she obviously FAILS to have common sense. The picture on the front of the paper and her spread in Playboy will be attached to her for the rest of her life. Let’s try explaining this to an employer.

It’s apparent the paper’s leadership has the discretion of an 18-24 year old. Real classy.

I do not understand why Lisa wants to hide her last name; however, in Calc today she brought in a huge stack of papers offering to give autographs. I guess some people just need to get attention like this to feel fulfilled in life.

You guys are trying to say that a UGA student trying out for a spot to represent UGA in one of the world’s most prestigious magazines isn’t newsworthy for the UGA paper? Gimme a break.

I think people are failing to realize how big of an honor it is to join the playboy nation. This is fantastic. Good for “Lisa Marie.” I think everyone should lighten up I look forward to her rise to fame. Great article and what a testament to how popular Athens is to the rest of the nation. Go red and black I love reading it everyday and I love that it is advertised to college students. Go dawgs.

Once again, this is a fantastic article and a great showing of how awesome the town we live in is. The fact that such a legitimate entertainment company considers the dawgs a source of such gorgeous women should honor anyone in association with “the #1 party school in the nation.” If you aren’t in support of the red and black go watch C-SPAN. Go dawgs.

You could bounce a quarter off that ass.

This is absolute smut and not news worthy. Putting a half naked girl on the front page just to get people to pick up the newspaper is pathetic. Red & Black can’t write interesting stories so they resort to this. And it is not degrading? Its empowering? If taking off your clothes for a stranger in a hotel room is empowering for women than our society is in serious trouble and the morally-devoid editors who only care about more readers are to blame. Might as well put a complete nude centerfold in next time. Completely classless. Shame on you Red & Black.

Turning women into objects is what leads to sexual harassment and sexism. And that is exactly what Playboy does. Putting this article in and trying to glorify Playboy it is awful. I will no longer read the Red & Black.

“We know our audience. We know we cater to a group of 18 to 24-year-olds. We know what will catch your eye.”

You are not catering to ALL 18-24 year olds. You are catering to heterosexual 18-24 year old guys. If you wanted to cater to all 18-24 year olds, you would have also included a picture of a hot guy, wearing a thong, being photographed for a porn magazine. You are women, yet you are viewing the world through the eyes of men. That is the very definition of sexism. If you are going to sexually exploit students at UGA to up your readership, at least exploit equally. Remember, there are way more female students on this campus than male ones.

You know what? Why does it matter. This is something Lisa has dreamed of. I think this article is empowering because it shows dreams can come true, when you work for them. Lisa doing this shows her confidence in herself and that also is empowering. I envy her confidence! Let Lisa do her thing and be happy, the decisions she makes for her life is her business. And choosing to not read the Red and Black just because of this article is completely idiotic. She is not hurting anyone or offending them. I’m proud of Lisa and happy for her. Oh and Lisa if your reading this, say hi to Heff for me!

It’s a very tired argument that some forms of nude modeling is “empowering” for women. The website Suicide Girls attempted to say the same thing simply because they were hipster women who needed attention and lowered themselves to get it. The problem is that it is not empowering, it is ignorant to think so… and 99% of men viewing playboy are imagining that they are having sex with these girls (in whatever perverse fashion they prefer) …. probably while masturbating. So if this is what a woman needs to do to feel good about herself, I suggest she not leave campus for the Holiday Inn but instead visit the spots labeled “Patient Parking” off Hooper Street, directly outside the Psychology Department’s Clinic. Why even bother going to college if you will be hiding from this your entire life?

I would also like to mention that the girls that aren’t “good enough” to make it into the magazine’s main pages of the SEC Edition typically end up smashed together on one page of Polaroid pictures. This is where everybody goes to look at photos of the only thing worse than a girl who “made it” into Playboy….. a girl who’s body wasn’t up to par to waste a page on, but dumb enough to end up on a page with 60 other girls who were busy getting empowered.

Nice try Lisa….we know its you. Your the only other bitch dumb enough to clap for a girl who would dream of being beat off to by thousands of father’s friends. Me thinks someone may have been touched as a child by a father/uncle/older brother/neighbor/clown reading playboy.

One of the “world’s most prestigious magazines”….seriously? Give me a break.

I think that all the people that are leaving rude comments on here about Lisa need to grow up. for the complete bitches that left comments- you know you are just jealous because you are probably an ugly 200 pound bitch that has probably never even had a boyfriend..much less get in any kind of magazine. and definitely not playboy. Don’t even act like if you didn’t have a chance to be in Playboy that you wouldn’t do it. Ya’ll are all idiots and need to just get over it. It is not like she was naked on the front page. Wow. you could see her ass checks. like that is such a big deal. Why doesn’t everyone on here actually get a life and stop stressing over what was on the cover of a “school newspaper”.

I was (un)lucky enough to meet this “CONFIDENT and INTELLIGENT” girl yesterday. She was really proud of what she has achieved so far.I think she is bit disappointed about her face not being published, but just the butt. Now she is in situation to explain everyone on the way that it was she on the R&B (and she is doing that quiet well). Pathetic!

Well the good thing for Lisa is that the people at Playboy are PhotoShop professionals.. or else I don’t see how that face could have made it in there. I have a class with her and she might be the most annoying bitch I’ve ever met…From random animal squeals to her annoying ass laugh… But I guess if her “life dream” is to seriously be in Playboy (HA!)… then good for her

Very compelling story and should create quite a thread here….it is your job to sensationalize the cover story and create some curiosity.

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her face isnt worth seeing tho…

no joke man. also I am pretty sure UGA has already had girls represent in the first SEC Edition of Playboy, and I don’t even know if Lisa got the gig. I just know from a complete material standpoint, that she is no smoke bomb when it comes to looks. Minus her ass, she is just another Casper walking down the street. If the magazine chooses to just show her ass, I am sure she will make it, but the girl has to know that it is more than just that. I thought this was trash for the front page, until I realized she is just another skiddly .

That is an awful thing to say about anyone. While you might not agree with what Lisa is doing she is happy and excited. You on the other hand will be a horrible person the rest of your life. Cyber bullying…way to take the high road.

Her face is obviously something to look/write about if she is getting more opportunities. What doesn’t make sense to me is how you seem to be so annoyed by her but you took the time to look at the article picture and comment this post? Her actions may not be the path others would take but who is to judge her. None of you for sure making all these negative posts. I know everyone has their own opinions but constant posts about her face is pretty immature for you to he in college you’re definitely not being “empowering” nor someone to even look up to. Don’t be annoyed by Lisa be annoyed by you that you don’t even have to guts to stand for something other than a nameless critic who doubtfully would have balls enough to say this to her face.

To be honest… who cares about the R&B’s motives?
The crossword will cause the pick up of editions all by itself.
Y’all are all ridiculous.
The female body is beautiful. Look at advertising. Id like to see the ratio of guys to girls in modern advertising’s imagery.
Everyone is drawn to look–even if just a quick glance– at a woman’s body. Well… just about everyone.
I do know Lisa.
Her happy/hyper personality can be a bit much for sure, but she has a loving heart and a never ending smile.
I honestly believe that it really doesn’t matter if it is or isn’t her dream to pose for Playboy.
The bottom line is that she is being recognized for taking care of her body and this is a “talent” of hers.
Other girls may not have her genetics (or desire to pose and be complimented by the appreciative)

I really could care less if a student poses for Playboy, but I thought the image R&B ran, not showing the woman’s face, is very degrading. I was hoping the editors’ explanation would justify this–maybe say that the model in question did not want her face shown, etc. But reducing a woman to just legs and an ass in panties is the very definition of objectification. That was a really poor choice on the part of the photographer and the editors.

As someone else wrote, you are merely pandering to sensationalism. Yes, it got our attention. Yes, we read it. So what? This empty article was not informative or enlightening. It is totally lacking in jouranlist integrity. This is supposed to be a newspaper, right, not Entertainment Weekly.

Why don’t you spend more time working this hard to get our attention about issues that really matter. . .I question your objectives as journalists, frankly. Maybe you girls should get jobs designing ads instead of editing a paper if you’re so interested in getting eyeballs from your “target demographic.”

lol u mad?

Say what you will, but if you say ‘Playboy’, I think you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know what you’re talking about.

prestige
n.
1. The level of respect at which one is regarded by others; standing.
2. A person’s high standing among others; honor or esteem.
3. Widely recognized prominence, distinction, or importance: a position of prestige in diplomatic circles.

3 definitions, none of which describe playboy.