University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Amateurism Deserves No Support

Robert Gillmore deserves liberal
praise for his article on the amateur
journalism reigning in the C.D. and
other campus newspapers. Amateur
journalism, however, is only one of
the reasons why I won't be
subscribing to the C.D. when it has
to find some other means of
existence other than compulsory
student fees. Encore, Mr. Gillmore.

Manipulating Females

We are disgusted with The
Cavalier Daily for permitting the
publication of the blatantly sexist
advertisement presumably
submitted and financed by Ed
Michtom's haberdashery. The ad
uses a pair of well-proportioned
female legs (in terms of the
culturally accepted stereotype) as a
sexual object in order to stimulate
the male to "move up.." and
purchase a "wardrobe for
gentlemen". Subtlety inferred,
although perhaps not intentionally
implied, the ad serves to perpetuate
the sexist system which views the
female as the object of male
manipulation.

Perhaps the most vital issue
however, is not that females are
exploited, but that The Cavalier
Daily, the University newspaper,
has found it insensitively expedient
to be an abettor of a system which
oppresses females. This is ironic
indeed when the University
atmosphere purports to defend
individual freedom and equality. It
is the view of the undersigned that
a University news publication has
the potential and responsibility to
exercise its leadership to promote
social change. The Cavalier Daily
may assume this leadership by
refusing sexist ads. We ask
therefore, that The Cavalier Daily
re-examine its policy of accepting
ads and publish an explanation of
that policy for its reading public.

Lifelong Stigma

In reply to Mr. Couper's letter
(which is typical of the attitudes of
too many others), it is sad that his
only purpose is to ridicule Mr.
Capobianco rather than examine his
statements open-mindedly and
present reasons for disagreement.
Mr. Capobianco brings out the
primary issue concerning the debate
over the Honor System — whether
we are justified in invoking the
ultimate punishment on alleged
offenders — dismissal. It is, though,
equally sad that Mr. Capobianco
carries his thesis to the absurd.

A dismissal for an honor offense
(recorded on one's permanent
record) carries with it a lifelong
stigma. What decent college will
admit or what company will hire
such a person? A guilty verdict can,
in effect, ruin the rest of one's life!
Is this just punishment for
momentarily glancing at another's
paper under the pressure of a final
exam in a moment of panic and
being too afraid to admit such a
mistake? After all, we can lie for
liquor. (Let us recall Mr.
Capobianco's reference to a system
of convenience.) This is nothing
buy hypocrisy in the name of
honor. Let us deal with the
situation as does society — into
which we are dismissing our
undesirables and into which we
must immigrate upon graduation —
and impose a penalty fitting the
crime. Cheating on a final exam
could be dealt with by imposing a
grade of 'O' on the paper, for
instance. No indeed, it is not
necessary (or desirable) to do away
with the Honor System.

The greatest deed one can do in
life is to help others by solving their
problems, not by ignoring and
barricading oneself from them! By
placing alleged offenders out of
our midst to create for us an ideal,
trouble-free atmosphere is not only
a demonstration of aloofness but of
viciousness and disregard for
others! Let us show mercy and look
for the good rather than the bad in
people and we may succeed in
creating our ideal atmosphere
without harming others. Thank
you.