TO THE EDITOR:
I am a UNC alumnus, and I an deeply concerned with the choice of UNC to broadcast sporting events on Rush Radio WRDU 106.1.
Sports is an important component of the UNC undergraduate experience. UNC is also well-known for its high female-to-male student ratio.
I am sure that you are aware of the incendiary, misogynistic comments by Rush Limbaugh during his radio shows of last week, in which he personally attacked Georgetown University Law student Sandra Fluke for daring to speak out, at the invitation of the Democratic Caucus, about the impact on women’s health that the Roy Blunt Amendment could effect.
Limbaugh mischaracterized Fluke’s testimony, insinuating that she was promiscuous and demanding to be paid to have sex. He directly called her a “slut” and a “prostitute” and essentially solicited pornography from Fluke and all women who support women’s rights.
Such “slut-shaming” as women’s studies experts have termed the shaming of women who speak out for women’s rights, is nothing new, but this case of Limbaugh is extraordinary in its extent and severity, happening over many days and with repeated attacks, a total failure to rectify misinformation, a non-apology on Limbaugh’s part and a lack-luster complicity by top Republican figures.
Such atrocious misinformation and total lack of political purpose is unacceptable, and I believe that all organizations associated with Limbaugh should disengage from tacitly approving of these views. In the past week, I have joined California Rep. Jackie Speier’s call to boycott Limbaugh sponsors, and many sponsors have agreed with the need to undertake this effort of conscience.
I should point out that this is not a partisan movement but a decency movement. By choosing to have UNC sporting events broadcast on WRDU Radio, which also broadcasts Rush Limbaugh, UNC is essentially promoting greater exposure of its students and alumni to Limbaugh’s views.
I cannot accept that such an arrangement is worthy of the mission of UNC, nor does it serve its predominantly female student body nor its donors or alumni, nor the image of the University. I strongly urge you to find another venue for broadcasting UNC sporting events.
Dr. Lisa Davenport
Research Associate
Duke University Center for Tropical Conservation
