PSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women Presents, "Pornography and the Perfect Storm of Inequality: Sexism, Racism, and Economic Exploitation"

Presenter: Dr. Robert Jensen, School of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin

Pornographers would like us to believe their products depict harmless fun for adults. But much of the material produced by the multi-billion-dollar industry is not only relentlessly misogynistic but also overtly racist. In this presentation, Robert Jensen will (1) describe the depictions of white women, and non-white women and men in mass-marketed heterosexual pornography; (2) explore what we can learn about patriarchy and white supremacy from the nature and popularity of these images; and (3) suggest activist strategies for opposing the pornography industry and critiquing racism and sexism at a more general level.

When: Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
Where: 1802 SW Montgomery (basement of Montgomery Hall)
Time: Noon - 1:00 pm

Snacks and refreshments served.

Background
Jensen is the author of Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity (South End Press, 2007) and The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege (City Lights, 2005). He also co-produced the educational slide show "Who wants to be a porn star? Sex and violence in today's pornography industry."