University of winnipeg’s campUs and commUnity weekly ISSUE 2008/10/23 VOLUME09 63 “you’re no more a guitarist after playing guitar Hero than you are an MD after playing dr. mario” Why video games give kids false hope arts & culture page 15 Can boobs University’s “essential services” in jeopardy campus news page 7 really sell cars? news page 2 october 23, 2008 the Uniter contact: [email protected] 02 NNEEwsws Hey ladies: not ready Federal NDP candidate “does the sight of young, supple, there’s a to pop out a baby? reflects on Harper’s undulating bodies make just a bit byelection going on? you’re part of a favourite veggies and of drool pool at the corner of your Sure fooled me! growing trend other election travesties mouth?“ Us too news page 4 comments page 11 arts & culture page 12 campus news page 6 news UNITER STAFF managing editor The body of truth Stacy Cardigan Smith » [email protected] BUsiness manager James D. Patterson [email protected] an » T sexist female oine PRODUCTION MANAGER tt Melody Morrissette » [email protected] e dyksman “there can be sexual representations copy and style editor representations that are Ashley Holmes » [email protected] are dumbing down pHoto editor oK when a woman looks Mark Reimer » [email protected] society, say critics; the like she’s in charge and news assignment editor Toban Dyck » [email protected] answer lies in variety not being exploited news prodUction editor Ksenia Prints » [email protected] Ksenia Prints and you see all of her.” arts and cUltUre editor news Production editor –Katie Haig-anderson, Aaron Epp » [email protected] university of winnipeg womyn’s comments editor centre co-ordinator Devin Morrow [email protected] ith the influx of advertisements » leading up to the holiday season, sports editor Joshua Boulding [email protected] feminists are concerned with the » Wlimited representation of women on the listings co-ordinator Curran Faris [email protected] pages of magazines. » “There is a very narrow representation of Beat reporter Dan Huyghebaert [email protected] female bodies in terms of age, size and eth- » katie Haig-anderson, co-ordinator of the campus Womyn’s Centre, believes that “most people are not nicity,” said Mebbie Bell, a professor of wom- Beat reporter really aware [of an ad] being sexist or they are so used to it they don’t question it.” Joe Kornelsen [email protected] en’s studies at the University of Alberta, who » specializes in the representations of women Beat reporter products,” she said. there’s no reason for it to be [there], it’s unre- Sandy Klowak [email protected] in popular culture. » “Sex sells,” said Katie Haig-Anderson, co- lated to women’s bodies or women’s health, “It represents all of the aspects of privilege Beat reporter ordinator for the University of Winnipeg they’re just using these women to sell,” said Andrew McMonagle [email protected] in our society… but it certainly doesn’t rep- » Womyn’s Centre. Haig-Anderson. “Most people are not really resent the population we live in.” According to Medwyduk, marketers aware of it being sexist, or they are so used to Craig Medwyduk, a partner at Guppy themselves decide on particular advertise- it they don’t question it.” CONTRIBUTORS: alex garcia, wesley flett Johnston, Design, a marketing and graphic design firm michael Hancharyk, michael hancharyk, will dumont, ment representations, as they mostly receive Bell feels the advertising world is slowly in downtown Winnipeg, agrees advertise- laurel Hogan, cory falvo, robery Huynh, cindy titus, only loose guidelines from their clients. progressing away from sexism. ments could better reflect reality. colin vandenberg, J. williamez, matt schaubroeck, matt Medwyduk feels tasteful representations “Over the past 20 years there’s been a lot prepost, John cunningham, Holly rose, noni Brynjolson, “We can alter photos as much as we want of women are honest ones. of change, we do see increases in the diver- graça resendes, ian Bawa, Jennifer pawluk, kenton to make people look perfect, but that would smith, Hannah larking, kevin chaves, tom asselin, “Something that’s common every day and sity of representation,” she said. be lying,” he said. marko Bilandzjia, scott christiansen, mike collins, adam people connect with it, not a fantasy,” he An example of a positive portrayal of peleshaty, Brad pennington, Jo villaverde, Justine milton, “As communicators, we have the responsi- said. women is the Dove Campaign for Real antoinette dyksman bility to not mess people’s minds up.” Haig-Anderson agrees. She doesn’t think Beauty. According to Bell, its true power the Uniter is the official student newspaper of the University of This resonates well with Bell. She speaks sexual ads should be banned, but feels there lies in its ability to reflect Dove’s target audi- winnipeg and is published by mouseland press inc. mouseland of volumes of research, all reflecting the press inc. is a membership based organization in which students are more positive ways of broadcasting the ence: it represents the women who would be and community members are invited to participate. for more destructive effects of advertisements on message. buying the company’s products as a diverse, information on how to become a member go to www.uniter.ca, or young women. Bombarded with unrealis- call the office at 786-9790. the Uniter is a member of the canadian “There can be sexual representations that multicultural and age-varied group. tic depictions, young and university-aged University press and campus plus media services. are OK when a woman looks like she’s in This representation sticks with consum- sUBMISSION OF ARTICLES, LETTERS, GRAPHICS AND pHOTOS ARE girls are constantly obsessing about their WELCOME. articles must be submitted in text (.rtf) or microsoft word charge and not being exploited and you see ers, urging them to invest money in a prod- appearance. (.doc) format to [email protected], or the relevant section editor. all of her.” uct that seems to understand who they are. deadline for submissions is 6:00 p.m. thursday, one week before Companies could be benefiting from this Women’s sexual representations are most Medwyduk agrees that consumers will vote publication. deadline for advertisements is noon friday, six days obsession, explaining the continuous use of prior to publication. the Uniter reserves the right to refuse to print concerning when used in hidden, unneces- with their wallets against sexist campaigns. submitted material. the Uniter will not print submissions that are these images. sary ways: in car commercials, ads for toaster “Branding is the emotional response from homophobic, misogynistic, racist, or libellous. we also reserve the “This sets up a cycle of dissatisfaction with right to edit for length and/or style. ovens and even children’s clothing. These the end-user. A company can try to skew the women’s own bodies, and this perpetuates CONTACT US implicit messages pose particular dangers to brand, but how will others view them?” » the beauty industry because if women are General Inquiries: 204.786.9790 student-aged populations. “The people going against the grain are the Advertising: 204.786.9790 dissatisfied they will continue to buy these “When I look at ads that show women and ones who are successful,” said Medwyduk. Editors: 204.786.9497 Fax: 204.783.7080 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.uniter.ca BY ANDREW MCMONAGLE LOCATION » Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WAY WOMEN Room ORM14 ARE REPRESENTED IN ADVERTISEMENTS? University of Winnipeg 515 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 Maureen Tapatai Susanne Mutter Jamie Sullivan Fourth year business Stay-at-home mom Janitor, Perimeter Aviation moUseland press Board of directors: “If a woman chooses to be “It would be nice to see women “They shouldn’t be putting a david eisBrenner (chair), mary agnes welch, advertised, that’s her choice. It’s not used as sex symbols all woman in a bikini to sell a car. It rob nay, nick tanchuk, Brian gagnon, devin king, about freedom of choice. It’s the time. Some advertisers are seems sexist, like those date line never phased me to see women making a concerted effort to commercials.” meg mcgimpsey, Ben Zorn, kelly ross (UWSA), objectified.” portray women realistically, like scott nosaty the Dove campaign.” for inquiries e-mail: [email protected] Jewanjod-Singh Bhullar Rolando Chiola Sam Bo COVER IMAGE First year business Cook, The Bourbon Café Third year religion & geography “It’s business. The main “That’s the way it is. It doesn’t “The trend is for less clothing, a selection from “12 inch motive in advertising is to really matter to me.” but it depends on what ad you attract people. It’s positive for look at. It’s an ongoing issue, but art” (www.12inchart.com), the business to use women. it’s been stagnant. No progress (But) the main motive should really.” showing at the graffiti be to present the qualities of the product.” gallery until nov. 7. photo by mark reimer. Ne w s As s i g N m e N t ed i t o r : to b an dy c k contact: [email protected] the Uniter october 23, 2008 e-m A i l : Ne w s @u N i t e r .c A Ph o N e : 786-9497 NEws 03 FA x : 783-7080 The death of the free press local Canadian media. Journalists and a reporter for the news Briefs Media “Canwest has greatly reduced Winnipeg Free Press, also com- compiled by wesley flett Johnston the number of journalists on pay- mented on the centralization centralization roll, meaning that they have less process.