Editorial for October 9, 2002
The Déjà Vu controversy
It has come to our attention some of our readers take offense to our acceptance of certain advertisers, particularly Déjà Vu.
Though we reserve the right to refuse advertisements at our discretion, we usually accept advertising from legitimate establishments. Flint suffers from a proliferation of liquor dealers and strip clubs and we believe both can lead to ill effects in society. However, adult entertainment establishments, unlike alcohol, are less likely to he abused by our readers.
Whether or not we wish our daughters to perform on stage, or our sons, husbands or boyfriends to spend money frequenting these establishments is irrelevant. Flint's adult businesses employ numerous employees, many of which pursue their education here at this very campus.
These establishments pay taxes and transact in legal business, and to hold them responsible for crime that may occur around their establishments is the same as failing to hold the city and police accountable for allowing crime to fester.
Why should certain Flint roads (Dort Hwy.) be renowned for streetwalkers and pimps? Why should Flint be near the top of every major crime category in the country? Whom do we blame, Déjà Vu? Boone's Farm? General Motors? The Michigan Times?
Perhaps we could lay blame at the feet of those who run this city and allocate police funds. Local politicians and, paradoxically. the local voters, seem less interested in solving the problem of crime in this city or it would constantly be a major issue, but then Flint has many issues. Crime can only grow when left unchecked.
As for whether it is acceptable for a college paper to -be publishing an advertisement with a scantily woman is a valid question. However, we do have a standard and have rejected ads sent ads sent to us by Déjà Vu.
The women in the ads we accept are dressed no more, and we would even say less, provocatively then many female students here o campus in the spring and summer semesters.
We have sympathy for those who allow certain pleasures in life to destroy themselves, their family and friends. However. Patronizing adult establishments within close proximity of college campuses across the country has not become the type of epidemic like underage and excessive drinking.
As a news organization, we feel it is our responsibility not to judge what legal business us smutty or immoral, and thereby unworthy of conducting business with us. Our ads, like our written articles and opinions, are not subject to an overzealous censor.
Those who advertise with us are important to us, just as important as the students- our readers; both of which help pay for this newspaper. We care about your input, but we neither endorse nor suggest that you visit any establishments that conduct business with us which you find offensive, but if you do, please mention where you saw their ad.
© The Michigan Times 2002
