IMPERIAL ORGY PROMO FLYERS BANNED!
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The Imperial Orgy went to battle with the Penn State University over censorship
when their promotional flyers were banned from University bulletin boards because
'they were offensive to some students.'
When the college newspaper took up The Orgy's cause, the University's lawyers
were called in. The lawyers promptly told the University that they were legally
not allowed to ban the posters and soon University spokesman Stan Latta denied
that the posters had ever been banned and the controversy came to an end.
Local Band's Fliers Removed from Campus
In its relatively short existence, the local band Caeser Pink and the
Imperial Orgy has already run into its share of trouble -- now,
members claim the University is censoring their promotional fliers...
Click here to read full article
-Article from The Daily Collegian
Wrongly silenced - Removal of band's fliers sets dangerous precedence.
Whether it's a band announcing a Friday night show at a local bar or Colloquy promoting a visit from Barry
"Greg Brady" Williams, fliers are vital to the success of most campus groups and events. They also
serve as a powerful form of political expression...
Click
here to read full article
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Editorial from The Daily Collegian
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- Letters in The Daily Collegian
Here we go again. Another "artist" whining about censorship when the
issuse is really about the freedom to exercise good judgment...
Click here to read full letter
Pornography!
In response to the editorial "Wrongly silenced" I must say,
I am sadly disappointed in the argument put forth, as well as the opinion it represents.
The argument -- that University officials, who decided a band's fliers were inappropriate,
"failed to recognize" the political expression of the fliers, and hence were wrong in their actions --
is ludicrous...
Click here to read full letter
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The controversy over the posters brought a flurry of letters to the editor (above) in The Daily Collegian, including a reply from Caeser Pink (below).
I am writing in response to the article in The Daily Collegian Monday concerning the University's removal of fliers that my band, Caeser Pink & the Imperial Orgy, were posting for advetisements.
In the article I did not mind Stan Latta's accusations that our fliers were offensive, but I feel his comment that they were degrading to women was prejudiced and completely in error. If Mr. Latta had taken the time to research our band he would certainly realize his mistake.
I am concerned that readers will be prejudiced against our band due to this comment. We urge anyone who was disturbed by this remark to see the band for themselves before they accept his accusations. All those who know us are aware that in our lyrics, and in the way our female members are presented, we support women that are strong and intelligent.
In one segment of our show background singer L. A. Verbeque reads from feminist books ranging from Simone DeBeauvoir's The Second Sex to Penn State University Professor Deidre Pribram's The Female Spectator.
What is really at issue is the question of openness about sexuality. Our music deals with various social and political themes and one of them is sexual liberation.
It is my belief that most men today would prefer a strong woman. As this relates to sexual liberation, a woman should have power over her own sexuality. That means the power to say "no," but also the freedom to express her sexuality without social repression. It is also interesting that our fliers which feature nude men were not mentioned in the complaint.
The entire question of the portrayal of the human form in art seems to have been overlooked. Throughout the ages artists have chosen to present the beauty of the human body in their work.
If a model is portrayed in dress an entire new level of meaning comes to the image based on the style of dress. By showing the nude body the artist can transcend the mundane elements and reach towards a more universal and primal statement.
Even ignoring the artistic quality of the photos featured on our fliers I have to wonder about those who were offended by them, and therefore felt that the rest of society should be forced to submit to their standards of morality.
Although some students may be uncomfortable with sexuality, college students are adults and will not be harmed by the sight of human nudity. The bottom line is sex is not a dirty word and the human body is not obscene.
-February 18, 1994 - From a written statement by Caeser Pink to The Daily Collegian
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