In short

Author to lecture on porno and inequality

Visiting author Robert Jensen will speak on the subject of pornography and how it creates forms of inequality in a lecture today at noon in the basement of the Women’s Resource Center.

“Pornography and the Perfect Storm of Inequality: Sexism, Racism, and Economic Exploitation” is presented by the PSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

Jensen, a professor in the School of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote a book last year on the subject of pornography, called Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity.

The presentation will examine depictions of women in heterosexual pornography, along with white supremacy and patriarchy, according to a PSU press release. Jensen is also expected to speak on ways to oppose the pornography industry.

“Pornographers would like us to believe their products depict harmless fun for adults,” the release states. “But much of the material produced by the multi-billion-dollar industry is not only relentlessly misogynistic but also overtly racist.”

The event is free and refreshments will be provided. The Women’s Resource Center is located at 1802 S.W. 10th Ave. at Montgomery St.

–Stover E. Harger III

Socratic Society hosts ethics discussion today

The Portland State University Socratic Society will host guest speaker Dr. Joel Martinez tonight in an event titled “Virtue Ethics and Moral Saints” in Smith Memorial Student Union, room 298.

Dr. Martinez, an assistant professor of philosophy at Lewis and Clark College, will speak on “the problem of moral saints” and attempting to answer questions of moral commitment to society, as well as explore the idea of going beyond the call of duty, or “supererogation,” according to information provided by the Socratic Society.

The free event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

–Melinda Bardon