Insulting egg donor ad cannot be justified

To the editor:

I have recently become concerned about what is deemed appropriate advertisement by the Thresher. In the Feb. 3 publication, an ad gave this description of what makes an “exceptional” egg donor: “5’8” or taller, blonde hair with blue eyes and thin, athletic build.” Approving such a narrow-minded view as acceptable advertisement in a newspaper of higher education is demeaning to the entire student population.

An editor of a newspaper knows how important appropriate word choice is, and this particular advertisement is far from tasteful and is rather offensive. The editor in chief confirmed that an ad such as this one would not be deemed acceptable during Owl Weekend or Vision Weekend. Since it has been acknowledged that this sort of advertisement is controversial and inappropriate, why is it then acceptable to run the ad during the rest of the term?

In the end, the question of running the ad or not running the ad is a matter of economics; run the ad since it pays or not run the ad and forego earnings. However, sometimes dignity, respect and ethics can be worth significantly more than potential earnings and can build a sense of reverence that is incalculable.

Therefore, if the ad must be run again, to avoid impropriety, I must insist that the description of the “exceptional” candidate be omitted and replaced with the phrase: “Interested parties should call for a more detailed description of the characteristics preferred by the family.”

Tiffany Abdullahi Wiess sophomore 35 other students signed this letter Editor’s note: The advertisement will no longer run in the Thresher.

Columnist mistaken on Miss America facts

To the editor:

I am very sorry that many people are quick to judge Miss America, and I would like to point out that Jo Kent had several facts wrong in her recent column on the topic (“Miss America misses target of promoting merit,” Feb. 10). The Miss America program is so much more than just a “television tradition” and a scholarship program.

Being crowned the “most beautiful” has little to do with Miss America. Miss USA, on the other hand, is considered a “beauty pageant” because its scoring is based on beauty and style rather than overall personality. While Miss USA goes on to compete at Miss Universe, Miss America spends her year doing community service and making appearances to promote her chosen platform.

The Miss America program is not about encouraging young women to fit a stereotypical mold but instead encourages education, awareness, excellence and friendship. The scoring is based more on talent, which counts for 35 percent, and the interview, which counts for 20 percent, than on strutting down the runway in a swimsuit.

Each contestant is encouraged to develop her onstage talent to the best level she can, whether it be musical, athletic, dramatic or visual. These arts take commitment, technique and dedication — all habits that contribute to the work ethic and passion of an individual, regardless of whether she chooses to pursue her chosen talent professionally.

The interview lasts longer than three minutes. In fact, the interview is in-depth and personal, akin to a job interview — because having a title, especially statewide or national, is the equivalent of a paid full-time job. The interview is made up of questions about beliefs and outlooks, current events, discussion of talent selection and opinions on politics and history.

The other scored portions, Evening Gown and Onstage Question, reward poise and eloquence under pressure. Also, each contestant must submit a transcript of grades from her university or college. What’s more, any contestant with a shaky platform does not have a chance at the statewide or national level.

The Miss America program is not about being recognized for beauty or even about winning money. It is about each participant holding herself to a standard of excellence, challenging herself to develop and being the best she can be.

Katina Mitchell Martel sophomore Miss Teen California, 2002

Students should get over Sid satire

To the editor:

I cannot believe it is happening all over again (“Sid minutes subject of harassment complaint,” Feb. 3).

I was a freshman at Sid in 2000 when the secretaries got in trouble for their backpage. They happened to be two good friends of mine, and I was forced to see them go through legal battles and battles with the university, get suspended, get their sentences reduced and ultimately complete numerous community service hours before they graduated. All for what? A crude joke? So what?

You can turn on the television any night and watch late night talk shows make fun of people in the same manner. Those hosts don’t get sued. They might upset some people, but it’s a natural side effect of being a humorous public figure. In the Rice microcosm of the real world, the college secretaries are public figures — comedians — and in doing their job they might step on some toes. Get over it.

In the real world, people constantly have to deal with offensive remarks, gestures and stories. All of the backpages are written in jest — there is no malicious intent behind their jokes. After the 2000 incident, Sid implemented the policy of signing in at council meetings in order to prevent this kind of problem, only allowing the backpage to mention people who signed in. People know what they are signing up for, and if they are OK with it, why should other people care?

I know we live in a world in which we can’t get around political correctness. But honestly, at this point you are in college. You are an adult and it’s time to have some exposure to the world — it’s only going to get worse and more difficult to deal with from here. Grow up and deal with it. Best of luck to the Sid secretaries. If history repeats itself, they are going to need it.

Kelli Lilienstern Sid ‘04

Hank’s review offers delicious alternative

To the editor:

Your write-up on Hank’s Ice Cream was the first entertainment article that I have read in full for months (“Hank’s Ice Cream scoops treasure trove of flavors,” Feb. 10). I will be sure to visit there soon.

Please include more stories that introduce Rice students to cool, under-the-radar places in Houston like Hank’s. Disgruntled reviews of terrible movies don’t do much for me, and with the recent history of Hollywood’s product, they have become more than tedious.

Ian Ragsdale Hanszen junior

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