An educational institution that has just condoned a student sex magazine called 'Boink' cannot very well fire a teacher for simply noting the exuberant physical endowments of one of his students, especially as part of an introspective evaluations of the difficulties of his didactic duties. The remark about Sabras, however, was clearly over the line. As regular readers will note, the Dowbrigade also works at a Major Boston University, and over the years we have had our share of 'hot' students, but we would never dream of saying so in a public posting. Other than absolutely necessary meta-leering like the above reference, that is.
Feldman's comment about Boink and MacMillan's unqualified inclusion of it are misleading. Boink is not, according to the Web site's FAQ, an officially sanctioned publication of Boston University and its writers, models and other contributors are not limited to BU students. Note that the Web site isn't really that daring--no male full frontal nudity.
What Gee did do in a public forum was put a woman, who could probably be easily identified, on the spot and sexualized her. Students should not be subject to such unwanted attention by their teachers or even their fellow students. That is not journalism. That is the creation of a hostile environment, one in which the other students might suspect favoritism and the favored student might feel uncomfortable or conversely feel more powerful.
Certainly favoritism because of sexual attraction happens in schools. It happens in workplaces, too. Yet, unless you work in the pornography industry, or apparently in Gee's ideal sports department, such lusting and leering are best kept private and away from the workplace and schoolroom.
Perhaps such attitudes like Gee's once defined the Old Boys' Club, but now it defines unprofessional and grounds for termination.
Article comments
1 - RJ
It's a tough issue.
For example, there are several women where I work who are rather attractive. Should I never mention that on my own blog?
And if I do mention it, am I just asking to be fired for "sexual harrassment" or some such?
2 - Tan The Man
I always use pseudonyms for the girls I describe.
3 - Dave Nalle
>>I always use pseudonyms for the girls I describe.<<
If your descriptive skills are any good, how would that help?
Dave
4 - Eric Berlin
I try to be as vague as possible about my profession / paying gig(s) in the blogging world, just to be on the safe side.
5 - alpha
I am only just learning the power of the net and its dangers. It can also be used to strike at you by showing that you have written something (almost anything) not offically approved of. Your local enemies and the government can both get together to exert control over what is published.
6 - Purple Tigress
To answer RJ's question: You should first see what your company's policy is on blogs. As I previously noted in another article posted here, people have been let go for things written that were not work related but made his co-workers feel uncomfortable. The person in question was a vendor/contract employee.
As for describing people, when I copy edit, I weigh whether the description of the men and women are equal.Oddly enough, I rarely find men describing other men as attractive or handsome and for this reason, the women should also not be so described.
I have to also add, that if you use the word "girls" to describe someone over the age of 18, you are already in trouble. Same goes for describing minority males over the age of 18 as boys. Certain circumstances are exceptions, of course.
Sexual harassment is continued or continuous directed unwanted attention that creates a hostile environment.
The person in question, Gee, was obviously clueless, even after being warned by fellow bloggers--all male. How much more clueless was he when similar patterns of behavior offended women?
I, personally, do not feel the need to describe attractive men in my blog.
7 - Temple Stark
In my experience sports writers are exactly like this. Borish, yes. Most of the ones I've known however, don't go the extra stumble and post about it on the Web, saying how attractive and f***able the star women's basketball player is.
(And for the record I have no idea in my city who the star basketball player is and couldn't name one of the players on the boys or girls teams. CYA, and true)
8 - Mark Sahm
I see no literary merit in oogling over attractive women on your blog, unless you're working for a modeling agency or something close to that. I love the female form as much as the next guy, but it all stays in my brain. That's what fantasies are for, eh?
9 - Joe
I've actually had a very similar experience at my former job. Never in terms of sexual attraction, but mentioning your boss negatively in any kind of online public forum can and will lead to your boss trying to find a way to can your ass. Kinda sucks.
10 - Cerulean
I've said it before: If you want to write honestly about your lusts and who your hatreds, you'd better change everyone's name and obscure every detail. Otherwise, you're looking for trouble.