Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 26, 1992                   TAG: 9203260411
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PATRIARCHY, NOT PORNOGRAPHY, LEADS TO CRIMES

In a time when our constitutional rights are being systematically demolished "for our protection," it is no surprise for someone to say that "when freedom of expression clashes with the right of women and children to be protected against violent sex crimes, the rights of women and children come first."

There are two problems with this logic.

First, freedom of expression is a fundamental right that should be fought for with everything we have. When censorship is allowed for one situation, it will be allowed for others.

Second, pornography does not cause violent sex crimes and sexist attitudes, as Cal Thomas would have us believe. The fact of the matter is that pornography, rape, wife- and child-beating and sexist attitudes have a root cause, and that is a pervading and basic part of our culture: the patriarchy, male supremacy. Unless this part of our culture is eradicated, all of those evils will continue to rear their ugly heads, regardless of laws passed for our "protection."

Simple-minded solutions like censorship only placate, and prevent an honest search for answers. ELIZABETH LANKFORD CHRISTIANSBURG