When I picked up the latest Portland Phoenix, I felt the insert inside, realized it was the Summer Guide, and pulled it out to take a look. Remembering the year of the terrible cover featuring a highly sexualized woman (see "Cover Hits the Wrong Tone," letter from Jennifer Lunden, June 30, 2006) I was delighted to see that this year, you featured a big ice cream cone instead. And then I pulled my hand away from the bottom right-hand corner.
And there she was. Sure, she has more clothes on than the bikinied woman of the past cover. But why the cleavage? And FYI, I don't think it's even possible to hula hoop with your ass sticking up that high in the air.
The Phoenix is supposed to be a progressive paper. It is not progressive to objectify women. It is same old, same old, and I expect more from you.
You don't have to look far for an image portraying women that isn't objectifying. Check out the cover of the very issue in which the Summer Guide is contained. There you can see both women and men, and the women are dressed in a range of outfits and look like actual human beings.
I think I wrote to you about this once before. If not, I meant to. I hope you will do better in the future.
P.S. I suggest that the next time you need an illustrator for the Summer Guide, that you do not choose someone with a blog called "Atom-Bomb Bikini." Maybe a woman, perhaps. That would be a great start.
JENNIFER LUNDEN
SOUTH PORTLAND
