Letter to the Editor: Stick to the issue, don’t just bash Utah culture

Dear Editor,

I am writing in regard to the “hottest” topic the opinion section of the statesman has seen in the last few months, the infamous Persian Peacock ads. There seems to be a question of whether these ads are actually pornographic. According to dictionary.com, Webster’s dictionary and a few others, pornography is defined as “Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.” Note that the words “live photograph”, “nude” or “private parts” are not found in this definition. Based on this dictionary definition combined with the assumption that one of the primary purposes of “sexy lingerie” is to cause sexual arousal, I would submit that the pictures depicted in the recent Persian Peacock ads are pornographic.

Additionally, I have found the “pro-pornography” arguments very weak, some missing the issue completely. These arguments would more properly be labeled “anti-stereotypical-Utah-culture-arguments,” which has little bearing on the issue they seek to address. You don’t have to be Mormon or be from Utah to oppose pornography. In fact, it is almost certain that there are more people in this world that are against pornography than there are Mormons or Utahans. I would like to challenge those who write about the Persian Peacock ads to stick to the real issue, whether or not it is alright for the Statesman to print pornography, and not just use it as an excuse to bash Utah culture.

Finally, I would like to praise those who have written against printing pornography in the Statesman for having the faith to stand up for what they believe, and not worrying about what the rest of the world thinks about them. I also believe that pornography is wrong because it can be extremely addicting, it treats women like objects, and it can destroy relationships. Though a run of racy ads will not directly cause all of these things to happen, one would not find it ethical if a newspaper decided to distribute small amounts of an extremely addicting substance like cocaine; even if it wasn’t enough to addict anyone or even give much of a buzz.

Steve Welsh