DTH shouldn’t promote film that demeans women

TO THE EDITOR:

Walking into the front entrance of UNC Hospitals a few days ago, I spotted a stand for The Daily Tar Heel, above which was a large advertising frame containing a poster for the movie “Sorority Row.”

I have not seen this movie, and my knowledge about it derives mainly from a trailer I have seen. The sorority theme, which I’m sure the creators thought would play well to a certain segment of the population, is peripheral to the issue.

I found the theme appalling and wondered how, in a community like ours that values the contributions to society by all its members, including women, the DTH chose to promote a movie that evidently depicts violence against young women in the name of entertainment.

On its advertised face, this is purely and simply a movie about violence against women. Haven’t we had just about enough of that? This film has no obvious redeeming social value and questionable entertainment value, but it has much potential for harm and evidently is being promoted by the DTH. Doesn’t the DTH tout itself as representing the voice of the students?


Johnny Carson
Professor
Pediatrics, Cell and Developmental Biology