Last night, I attended a lecture at the University of Michigan, sponsored by APAC(Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center), and the speaker was Dr. JEAN KILBOURNE. She is a fascinating and enlightening personality. The subject she spoke on was the Demeaning Image of Women in Advertising.

I have seen some of the images she spoke on, and I have to say I'm looking at them in a totally different light now. People believe they are not influenced by ads, but they very much are. When an ad shows men closing in on a woman with sexual intent, that is sending a horrific message to our young boys and men about the value, as well as the vulnerability of women. When men are OBJECTIFIED in ads, they are shown as POWERFUL. When women are OBJECTIFIED, they are shown as WEAK and SUBMISSIVE. It is unfortunate that I could not videotape the lecture last night, however, I can give you a link to Dr.KILBOURNE's web site, and I invite, no, URGE you to take a look at it, and see if it does not change how you look at the influence of ads. Go to:

http://www.jeankilbourne.com

Men need to start taking an active part in the stopping of rape. Some of you are Fathers, Uncles, Brothers, and Sons. Rape effects the lives and safety of Daughters, Nieces, Sisters, and Mothers. I have two very strong daughters, and that was because of a conscious effort on the part of their Mother and myself to give them a strong sense of self. We in this culture of America, constantly reinforce in our male children, toughness and fighting spirit. Indeed, to fight is a male rite of growth.

However, we don't do that for our female children, preferring instead to raise them, even in the 21st Century, to be demure, weak, and establish a "look" of male driven "sexuality". A "Strong Man" is a warrior. A "Strong Woman" is a BI*CH. With my REGENESISM(TM) program, I hope to be a part of the solution to create a new and more positive image for the females in our country, and I hope our country will spread that message worldwide. Please join me in this project. As I always say at the end of these INFO-torial's, P-L-E-A-S-E share this with families and friends. It is very important for people to discuss issues like this for the health and safety of men and women alike. Dialogue is the start of taking a proactive, and preventative measure.

"Personal Safety IS, your PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY! Don't take it LIGHTLY!"(TM)