Boston- [Boston.com]- The decision to invite flesh king Ron Jeremy to Simmons College this week to debate pornography is a “dreadful mistake,” charged one feminist whose criticism is backed by angry students who say his industry glorifies sexism.
Some Simmons College students and professors are outraged that Jeremy, a porn star past his prime who has starred in more than 1,000 adult movies and reportedly bedded more than 4,000 women, will debate author and feminist Susan Cole about the place of pornography in society Tuesday.
“He is a person affiliated with an industry based on racism, classism and sexism,” said 21-year-old Simmons senior Dana Bialer. “He’s a white male who is very rich and has gotten very rich from pornography, and because of that he doesn’t have the ability to speak accurately on the topic.”
Bialer, who is pursuing a major in women’s studies , said the debate on whether pornography is a detrimental factor in society is an important discussion, but Jeremy’s celebrity appeal will detract from the seriousness of the issue.
Some of Jeremy’s credits include “Nasty Pants,” “Stripper Nurses” and “Dana Lynn’s Hot All Over.” His new book is titled, “Ron Jeremy: The Hardest (Working) Man in Showbiz.”
“We really need responsible speakers coming in on this issue,” Bialer said. “The gender issues are going to be lost because Ron Jeremy, through VH1’s Surreal Life and his book tour, is sensationalized, and it’s going to take away from the topic.”
Dr. Gail Dines, a Wheelock College professor who is one of the leading experts on pornography criticism, said Jeremy should not be included in the debate because he is not an academic on the issue but a paid industry participant.
“Under no circumstances would I debate him, no matter how much money they gave me,” she said. “It’s a dreadful mistake for any principled person to debate Ron Jeremy because he’s basically riding on their credentials. He comes only as a man with personal experience who has made a lot of money out of it. ”
Some students and administrators said they welcome the debate as a way to facilitate discussion, even if they disagree with Jeremy’s chosen occupation.
“I don’t think he’s going to catch so much personal animosity, but he’s going to get some very thoughtful questions from some very smart girls who will have done their homework,” said Gerry Koocher, dean of Simmon’s School of Health Sciences who will be moderating the debate.