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Art in eye of beholder

To the editor,

Two people in the September 9 issue of the Wildcat expressed dismay at Summer, Lacey, and Lori posing semi-nude in the October issue of "Playboy." Diana Froelich said that we should pity them for giving out such intimate qualities, and Nick Zecketts wanted nude material to return to it's more pure, more artistic oil on canvas form.

Jesus. I am attending a university, right? A place of knowledge, understanding and open minds, right!? My mom, taught me to respect women a long time ago. Because I grew up with two sisters, I also learned that women will do what they want, regardless of what a man thinks. I have no idea why Summer, Lacey and Lori posed, but I sure as hell don't see them as meat that I can grab and use for my pleasure. Give me, and my fellow men more credit. I respect Summer, Leslie and Lori as fellow human beings, as fellow students, and as people who are comfortable with who they are and don't feel the need to "cover up." So there.

And Nick, goodness man. Your article is full of the same, lame religious, conservative arguments that I've rebutted before. And your use of big words, like "antithetically." What are you trying to prove, that you are above sexual desire and feel no lust? You'd be the only one.

Art is in the eye of the beholder (here's my same, lame liberal argument). I know plenty of people that consider a half-naked man nailed to a cross "vulgar" and "degenerative." You did say it was your opinion, which I appreciate, but it seems like this letter is coming from something deeper than just disgust.

I love the pictures in "Playboy" (I read the articles too, promise). I think that the women in "Playboy" are beautiful (especially the brunettes). I am not a twisted sex offender who lacks respect for women. On the contrary, I think finding my dad's "Playboys" at an early age gave me a healthy respect for women.

It also gave me a release for a lot of pent-up adolescent frustration. If I lived in a time where your beliefs and stiff morals were the norm, I would have serious problems. I'd probably get burned at the stake for being a wizard or something.

Okay, I'm digressing. The world is not worse because of naked women. It is better because women have the freedom to wear clothes, or not to.

More power to them.

You people get in such a huff over porn. Men pose naked too, why don't you say anything about them?

Check out the art of Helmut Newton and Robert Mapplethorpe. They prove that the body is still graceful, still heavenly, at its best when naked, and they rip that canvas of yours to shreds. Maybe I'll see you at Maloney's, where I'll be getting Summer's, Lacey's and Lori's signatures.

Andy DePew

Media arts junior