Naked, sweaty, drunk college-aged women are in abundance on DVD format. Though the strength of the fad passed a few years ago, we all remember the over-the-top infomercials for the "Girls Gone Wild" VHS tapes and DVDs. If you're a college guy and you lived in the dorms, you've probably seen one at some point or another.
I saw one once. I'll never forget it. Several years ago the guys in Noyer were passing one around and my roommate and I figured "Eh, why not."
I was strangely compelled to continue to watch the DVD. This is probably because the DVD had naked women on it. I was also absolutely heartbroken while watching. This is probably because those poor girls were drunk, did not have control of their bodies and lacked even an inkling of self-respect.
I turned off the DVD player after a while, mortified and filthy-feeling. All I could think is "That poor girl's parents! Would they ever be the same after seeing this?"
There hasn't been any word from Joseph Francis, founder the $100 million "Girls Gone Wild" empire, in the last couple years. There's been a few lawsuits and a video with naked fellas, but nothing to write home about - until this week:
Joseph Francis is going to open "Girls Gone Wild" restaurants across the country.
The puns write themselves. I won't immortalize them in print here. Snickers and sneers aside, however, I must say: I will be exceptionally troubled if a restaurant chain like this does anything but flop.
I'm all about free expression. I see nothing morally reprehensible about the pornography industry provided it's "employees" are treated the same ways as any other respectable work force. (This means no cruelty to minors or animals.) All the same, I'd like to think that most Americans would prefer to keep their distance - or at least keep it in the privacy of their own home.
What would it say about us, as a culture, if we openly support and endorse a restaurant whose theme is derived from tricking drunk college girls into "showing us their beer-basted breasts"? (Oops. There's one of those restaurant puns I wasn't going to make.)
"Girls Gone Wild" isn't the same as contracting porn stars to perform their craft in a legitimately produced adult film. Those porn stars have chosen a career path (if perhaps not a dubious one). They have workers rights, real pay and codes for health and safety.
A "Girl's Gone Wild" DVD is the equivalent to video rape.
If we as a society accept this restaurant chain, what is next? Girls Gone Wild-brand vodka? How about a PG-13 version in theaters? (MGM has the film rights) Before you know it, there could be "Girls Gone Wild" exercise videos, breakfast bars and action figures. Is this something we really want?
My personal opinion is that pornography is not good for the mind, soul or social collective. It doesn't necessarily inherently objectify or take advantage of women, though it certainly does so more often than not. I don't think it is morally wrong if done legitimately; I won't judge. But please, let's not support this "Girls Gone Wild" business any longer.
Besides, Bloomington is just a two-and-a-half hour drive.
Write to Ben at bbmcshane@bsu.edu
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