Dear Calvin Klein

I suppose you could see my penchant for speaking out against the ridiculous and my utter lack of finesse when it comes to stupidity as being a vice. However, I don’t, (perhaps my inability to recognize the necessity of publicly censoring my speech is what makes this particular habit a vice). In all honesty why shouldn’t I be able to speak out against what ridiculous things are happening in the world today. Why should I be told to remain silent while everyone else’s opinions are heard? I don’t mean that I am blatantly rude, unless of course the person spoken to is far too thick to get my meaning, I simply say what I think with disregard for the common opinion and take what comes as a result of my ideas. Yes, this creates controversy, yes this could be bad for my future career, but will I stop? I doubt it. Will I attempt to suppress some of my more shall we say, unpopular opinions? It’s possible but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

So when I saw that Australia had banned Calvin Klein’s ad because it was “suggestive of violence and rape” I had to take a look. After seeing this ad, going through the slide show, and viewing some of Calvin Klein’s previous material, I have to say, I would ban it too. I completely agree that this is promoting violence against women and with the current rocketing stats of domestic violence, abduction, and rape the United Nations has released, why would Calvin Klein decide to run with a campaign that is so obviously demeaning? And why would people be protesting it being banned? I understand we all want freedom of speech but seriously this is R-rated material being shown in the context of an advertisement. We shouldn’t be portraying women as playthings for men and we definitely shouldn’t be supporting a company that takes violence against women so lightly.

As a side note to the misinformed person that commented on the article with,

“These ads aren't offensive. They are overly sexual and artistic but this is what Calvin Klein has always represented. And also, violence against women isn't going to stop if you ban ads. The very notion that someone would think that is ridiculous.”

I am guessing here but maybe this person doesn’t know anyone who has been a victim of domestic violence. The point being, if you think this ad is portraying art, you are sadly mistaken. Rape in any context is never a form of art. Comments such as these and stories like this only contribute to my habit of uncensored speech and opinion.