From the Editor

The Feb. 27 issue of the Golden Gater evoked responses from many readers which ranged from understanding to outrage. Readers were angry because of two things: a front page photo of a female yoga instructor bent over stretching and a word that appeared in the Gater editorial.

Many people thought the photo depicted the instructor in an embarrassing position. Readers were also upset that this photo ran, if at all, on the front page and below the story of the woman being evicted from her dorm room. Although the Gater understands these concerns our decision to run the photo was made for artistic and journalistic reasons discussed at length among Gater editors.

Many editors disagreed with the decision to run the photo. Editors debated for more than an hour the pros and cons of running such a photo and the response it would receive. In the end I decided the photo would run. Our intention was not to harm or embarrass the woman in the photo. It was simply a photo we felt was appropriate, tasteful and innocent. The photo shows one of the 12 primary positions of Yoga and the health benefits which come from the exercise.

A front page photo must be dynamic for the purpose of getting the attention of readers. As for the placement of the photo, we see no connection between it and the story, "Self-defense is no defense." It was not, in our opinion, a cheap shot. That is why it ran.

The other issue is the use of the word "allowed" in the editorial. It was a mistake. We expect no reader would think the Gater said she allowed herself to be raped. The use of the word in the sentence is a contradiction and we apologize for it. The editorial was referring to what we see as injustice in the housing department. The Gater believes that was clear.

Many readers took offense to what the Gater did. We understand our reader's concerns and will take them into future consideration when making a similar decision. We have discussed at length the reaction we received from students. We encourage feedback.

Kevin Livingston

Editor-in-chief

Golden Gater

[ Golden Gater - March 4, 1997 ]