Porn star clashes with feminist

Ron Jeremy and Susan Cole debated the role of pornography in society on Thursday night.

By Meg Walsh

Published Feb. 24, 2006

Ron Jeremy, one of pornography's most recognizable stars, and Susan Cole, one of pornography's most outspoken foes, faced off in a debate at Jesse Auditorium in front of more than 1,000 people on Thursday night.

The debate focused on how porn affects its viewers, especially how it affects the way its viewers perceive violence against women.

Students lined up at the Brady Commons box office Thursday afternoon to purchase last-minute tickets for the event, which had been widely promoted by organizers.

The Missouri Students Association's Department of Student Activities sponsored the event and paid $9,000 total to bring the two to campus.

"I'm a fan of Ron Jeremy," said freshman Tyler Klein, who was waiting to buy tickets. "I'm looking forward to hearing his point of view."

Sophomore Marcus Vincent said he was excited to see something different at MU.

"I don't have a stance on the issue, but I think it will be funny," he said.

Jeremy, star of more than 1,800 pornographic films, and Cole, a veteran anti-pornography activist and author of "Pornography and the Sex Crisis," have been touring college campuses.

As the lights dimmed, the auditorium's seats were full and students filed into the balcony. The audience began to chant Jeremy's name.

"I want to see how Cole will defend herself against Ron," Junior Laura Kraft said.

Davie Holt, the MSA Senate speaker, moderated the debate.

Jeremy and Cole each had 12 minutes to speak. They then took questions from the audience.

Cole was the first to present her points.

"Susan has to go before me, or else I have nothing to say if I can't just argue against her points," Jeremy said.

Cole explained to the audience that she was neither against sex, nor was she against censorship. She went on to explain her support of masturbation, especially for women.

Cole then spoke about how she thought the pornography industry objectifies women.

"Viewers do not care about the woman, they don't notice the influences," she said.

She referenced a film in which Jeremy smothers a woman with a pillow in a joking manner. She said porn makes it harder to do anything about sex crimes.

"Porn suggests violence is OK and we shouldn't do very much about it," Cole said.

She also spoke on women's sexual roles, saying they were offered a choice of being perceived as either overly sexual or too conservative.

"Virgin, whore; give me an alternative!" she shouted rhetorically.

Cole said she hopes MU students will look at porn differently and will change their part in the perpetual exploitation of women in the industry.

"Consider seizing back your own sexuality," Cole said.

She also said criminal law should not get rid of porn, but consumers should wipe out the market.

Jeremy's rebuttal was more comical in nature, saying porn was about "fun, happy films." He said he did not stand for ultra-violent porn, or any illegal types of pornography, such as pornography depicting children or sex acts with animals.

Jeremy said the porn industry glorifies its female stars, because viewers are paying attention to them. He said men make roughly $100 to $600 per movie, but women can make $1,000 to $10,000 per film.

The actor said he hopes students see that there are two sides to every argument.

"Anyone over the age of 18 has the right to create and view porn," Jeremy said. "We are trying to bring films to satisfy fantasies of the wide public, with fetishes and niches. America doesn't need a mom, we can make the choices ourselves."

He also said he likes what Susan does, and said "she keeps us in check."

After the debate, students lined up across the lobby in Jesse Hall to meet the debaters, and discussed the highlights of the evening.

"I think women are objectified more," said freshman Andi Gutierrez. "I was sort of indifferent because I don't see the correlation between porn and violence."

Junior Joe Tyra said he thought the most interesting point was how the two speakers agreed on masturbation, which he said he didn't expect Cole to advocate.

"Cole was horrible at debating. She generalized when Ron used specifics," he said.