Title Alternative
Klipsun, April 1996
Volume and Number
Vol. 26, Issue 4
Files
Download Full Text (6.7 MB)
Publication Date
4-1996
Creator
Western Washington University
Editor in Chief
Kiteley, Kristi
Publisher
Western Washington University
City
Bellingham, WA
Production Staff
Managing Editor: Stephanie Thomson; Story Editors: Mara Applebaum, Elizabeth Hovde, Jamie Lawson; Illustrator: Kelly Jackson; Business Manager: Teari Brown; Writers: Nina Boswell, Grant Clark, Collin Coyne, Beverly Crichfield, Brett Davis, Joe Hoggard, Sean King, Steve Kirkelie, Jamie Kline, Jody Lindstrom, Jesse Nolte, Jake Roberts, Casey Routh, Jeremy Stiles, Josie Stroud, Corey Tomlinson, Marlese Webb, Darrin Wellentin, Heather Wisler
Description
During the last production of Klipsun, one of our editors brought in what was then the newest issue of Rolling Stone. To say the least, we were disappointed. We weren’t shocked that Jennifer Aniston was featured nude on the cover. We weren’t shocked that Rolling Stone would use sex appeal to draw in readers. We all were, however, disappointed in Rolling Stone's blatant portrayal of women as sex objects. This time it was just too obvious and too extreme.
We discussed the trend of Rolling Stone placing scantily-clad women on the front cover, while showing men in T-shirts and jeans. True, the magazine has featured nude men on the cover, such as the group Blind Melon. But the accompanying articles usually discuss talents and achievements in the case of men, and physical appearance and sexual appeal in the case of women.
Rolling Stone is a successful and popular magazine. Both men and women read the magazine, and such portrayal of women is getting it nowhere.
Aniston is attractive. The American public has been running to hair salons to imitate her ’do. Her waitress character on Friends, Rachel, can get away with wearing tight half-shirts and hip-hugging mini-skirts.
Aniston is popular, however, because of her acting and not her ability to undress. She agreed to be portrayed in such a manner, and in doing so, has chosen to be seen as a sexual object. Inside the magazine, she poses for a centerfold, wearing only underwear and covering each nipple with two fingers. The article focuses on her body and her sexuality, not her achievements.
So, while our cover pokes fun at Rolling Stone's cover, the problem is a serious one. As long as the media continues to portray women as objects, successful only in their sexuality, women will not be recognized for their talents and their minds.
Some may think we’re just a bunch of feminists who are overreacting. What we are is a group of editors, soon to be graduating and entering the field of journalism. We are concerned about the media’s portrayal of women, and are working to change it.
Photography Editor
Nguyen, Loc
Advisor
Dale, Carolyn. 1950-
Publisher (Digital Object)
Resources made available by the Special Collections, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, and www.klipsunmagazine.com/.
Type
Text
Geographic Coverage
Bellingham (Wash.)
Disciplines
Higher Education | Journalism Studies
Keywords
Student life
Description
Independent Student Publication at Western Washington University
Document Type
Issue
Recommended Citation
Kiteley, Kristi, "Klipsun Magazine, 1996, Volume 26, Issue 04 - April" (1996). Klipsun Magazine. 172.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/172
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Klipsun Magazine, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subject-Topical (LCSH)
College students’ writings, American--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Periodicals; Universities and colleges--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Periodicals
Subject-Names (LCNAF)
Western Washington University--Students--Periodicals; Western Washington University
Language
English
Format
application/pdf