Suppression of sex isn’t due to religion
Jordan Manalastas wrote a column (“Censoring sex over violence is absurd,” Jan. 20) decrying the suppression of sex in the American culture, particularly in the media.
While addressing the levels of violence in the media, it seemed that really, he wished to attribute the supposed suppression of sexuality to the teachings of Christianity.
We would like to question Christianity’s supposed goal of suppressing sex, and we would like to enforce and expand upon Manalastas’ argument that sex is beautiful.
With a little bit of research, we found the Catholic Church’s teaching on sexuality: Sex is “noble and honorable; the truly human performance of these acts fosters the self-giving they signify and enriches the spouses in joy and gratitude.”
This contradicts Manalastas’ assertion of the “Christian sense of shame for our sexuality.” Rather than dissuading people from sex, Christianity seeks to order sex in the right time with the right person. Perhaps this is wise.
This brings us to our second point. Sex is “the most fundamental and beautiful of human functions,” just as Manalastas said.
However, sex is also immensely powerful and is to be respected. By sex, a man and a woman give life to a new human being. Sex unites spouses in greater love, resulting in a more stable family.
And just because there is a social stigma around an act does not mean that society viciously suppresses it.
A social stigma usually is not an authoritarian whim that society devises to drown out natural desires. Social stigmas sometimes act as guides to order our actions.
While sex is beautiful, it is also very private. Physically, it is the most intimate act performed between two people. It is also considered a sacred act for our species, being the natural method for our propagation.
On top of all this, it is the highest expression of love. Love notes would mean nothing if they were posted on Facebook. Just ask John Wooden.
He writes a love letter to his deceased wife on the 21st of every month. No one reads them. They are for his and Nellie’s eyes only.
The beauty of sexuality is its exclusive love. When it is used (abused?) with multiple people in bizarre ways, it becomes tainted. Sex loses its fundamental value of love when it dissolves into a utilitarian act of pleasing oneself. Honeymooners do not travel in packs; they want to share each other’s company in private.
The amount of sex in the media is already increasing. The arguments for public pornography are the same for public bestiality and pedophilia.
Ironically, an article about publicizing sex appeared directly above an article promoting feminism.
How much respect does society hold for women when it calls for public displays of their bodies?
A woman is so much more than flesh.
She is more than a toy to satisfy men’s fantasies. A woman deserves far more respect than that.
She has a personality, family, friends, a life story and her own unique ideas.
Good, protecting brothers and sons would fume to hear that their sister or mom was treated as a worthless toy ““ something for cheap pleasure and then immediately dumped or forgotten.
Women should not be treated as an Xbox ““ a thing to be used for entertainment and to be disposed of when she is no longer “exciting.”
Public pornography degrades women to the level of gaming consoles or fancy cars.
Up for the degradation of love by the exposition of sex? Ask yourself.
Aaron Persing
First-year, undeclared life science
John Boles
First-year, pre-political science
Editorial fails to note USAC’s feats
“USAC is an important and effective tool that when properly utilized, benefits the undergraduates it serves.” ““ Homaira Hosseini
The editorial released by the Daily Bruin on Jan. 26 misrepresents the concrete relevant accomplishments that have been made on behalf of students by this year’s Undergraduate Students Association Council.
In these tough times, it is important that we have leadership on our campus that brings the larger issues affecting students to the attention of the greater community.
This year’s councilmembers have committed themselves to lead relevant measures through each of their offices to ensure the best collegiate experience for students.
Relevant is bringing Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass to campus to discuss ways to improve the educational experience of those students struggling to pay for college. Relevant is creating a textbook lending program and expanding the textbook scholarship that assists students of our university as they struggle to pay for school.
Relevant is establishing a deferred payment plan that will help students who cannot pay their fees at the beginning of the quarter so that they have options other than quitting school. Relevant is making sure all undergraduates have access to resources such as Night Powell so that their educational experience isn’t hindered by a lack of study space.
The accomplishments of this year’s USAC are not only relevant to the student body, but they are also transparent. As president this year, I have made it a point to put the “U” back in “USAC.”
USAC hosted its first annual “Meet and Greet on the Hill” last quarter and plans on sponsoring meetings on the Hill so that the 10,000 plus residents can see their elected leaders right in their home. Furthermore, we have worked strenuously to ensure that we can record our meetings and broadcast them to the student body.
It is unfortunate that a former USAC president felt that his time on council was “overstated in importance.” As this year’s president, I cannot overstate how important the decisions made at USAC are and how our positions should be used to influence a better educational experience for the students of UCLA.
Amid the financial crisis of the state of California and the budget crisis of the University of California, this council has been effective in addressing student needs and has succeeded in its endeavors to be both relevant and visible to the student body.
I would like to thank the Daily Bruin for pointing out that USAC is here to meet the needs of undergraduates at UCLA and encourage students to engage themselves in the efforts that these offices are pursuing. Our time is now. We have the resources necessary to effect change on our campus, the state and the nation.
Cinthia Flores
USAC president
Pearring expects too much from ASUCLA
In response to Scott Pearring’s column (“Stop gaming with our change,” Jan. 19), there is a common misconception that Associated Students UCLA has control over student fees, parking, ticket prices, library hours, furlough days, teaching assistant availability and the like. However, this is not the case.
ASUCLA can reduce textbook prices by $650,000 or operate recreational facilities, but we cannot give that same money to operate the library.
What ASUCLA has done for students is dedicate additional study space and later hours. Further, we have tried to offset some of the burden of academic material costs by reducing the cost of textbooks by $650,000 with a price match program to complement the effort.
ASUCLA is a nonprofit, independent organization that strives to provide the type of student resources that the university cannot.
It is governed by a student majority board of directors committed to giving back to the UCLA community.
We believe that a well-rounded student association should address the varied interests and needs of all students.
We also believe that the need to eat, study and unwind through social interaction is vital to a vibrant union.
During the economic boom, ASUCLA had some incredible financial years and had been able to draw on our savings to implement our long-term investment plans with financial security.
Avenue A is part of this plan and has resulted in great overall value.
This includes: Carl’s Jr., the post office, Taco Bell, Curbside, Jamba Juice, Coinz and Game On!
It is also important to note that because of the recent economic situation, we are forced to make very difficult decisions about our investment in various programs and operations.
While approved and completed projects are necessary to continue, other capital expenditures have been postponed, reduced or eliminated.
ASUCLA’s success and philosophy is based on student contribution and opinion.
As the largest student employer on campus, supporting ASUCLA creates student jobs and resources.
With an excellent management team and your support, the association will continue to remain successful, sustainable and the leader among independent student associations throughout California despite this economic recession.
Bernice Julie Shaw
Chair, undergraduate representative
Shelley Schwartz
Vice chair, graduate representative