Posted on 02/20/2003 12:07:10 PM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult
"Women were put on this Earth to serve."
Or so say 12 billboards around Charleston, which within hours of being erected inflamed the passions of men and women everywhere, especially if the men and women happened to be in the media.
Though suspecting a publicity stunt, radio and television personalities puzzled Wednesday at the message and one television station promoted its effort to unlock the mystery of who was behind it.
"We thought it was a Hooters campaign," joked Richard Todd, co-host of a morning radio show that fielded calls on the signs. Of about 12 received Wednesday morning, six were from women who said they were offended, Todd said.
He and others said they suspected the message was the first half of an incomplete sign promoting the Family Circle Cup, the women's tennis tournament scheduled to take place on Daniel Island in April.
Some thought the statement was a slogan for the military. Nikki Hardin, editor and publisher of Skirt!, a publication for and by women (but read by men, too!), guessed that a religious organization was the source.
"It was wishful thinking on the part of whoever put it up," she said.
Hardin said she found the message insulting and irritating.
When told it could be a marketing gimmick for the tennis tournament, she felt better, but still thought it in poor taste.
"It's taking something that's hurtful and degrading and then saying, 'Oh, we were joking,' " she said.
At it turns out, the Family Circle Cup was indeed behind the ads.
The cup intended to add its logo and the date of the tournament to the signs Friday. Because of the reaction, the ads will be completed today, said Frankie Whelan, the tournament's executive director.
The intent of leaving the ad incomplete for a few days was to have fun, given that some have the perception that tennis is stuffy and old-fashioned, Whelan said.
The slogan was not intended to offend anyone, and initial reaction will change once people know the it promotes women's tennis, she said.
"If someone would like me to make an apology, I would be happy to do that," she said. "Do I think I need to do so? No."
Besides, Whelan said, women in the tournament serve faster than most men.
"If someone would like me to make an apology, I would be happy to do that," she said. "Do I think I need to do so? No."
Witness above one of the many problems in our society. We are too quick to apologize to those who have no right to be offended. People to need to let up! Get a life!
. . .upon reading about this. . .my first thought was maybe local Islamics were making a point!
Say, something to the effect of "Men are born to work". No, that would be demeaning to those who for their own personal reasons, choose not to work.
Who are we to judge?
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