Sections

Rosenberg spews chauvinism

For the duration of Mike Rosenberg's article ("Sportsmen of the beer salute Sports Illustrated," 2/15/96), I searched desperately for some sign of sarcasm regarding the views he was imparting. Unfortunately, I found none. Mike -- when was the last time you, or anyone else you know, looked into the mirror and saw Arnold Scwarzenager's physique staring back at you? You have some serious issues if you really believe that women should model themselves after the super-skinny, super-unhealthy, supermodel bodies. This is not only unattainable for most women, but it's ideas like yours that cause women to be obsessed with food and develop varying types of disorders surrounding eating as well. Ninety percent of young women are unsatisfied with their bodies -- is this because they are told that if they don't look like Cathy Ireland they aren't healthy and beautiful? This is what is implied by your comment about the regular athletic women in Sports Illustrated being unattractive.

The fact that a major sports magazine devotes its only women's issue to swimsuits and not athletic achievement really gives me a disturbing message about what women are valued for in our society. Mike, maybe you should spend less time reading the SI Swimsuit Issue and try conversing with some living and breathing women -- you might learn something.

RACHEL LISMAN

LSA SENIOR

ERICA MALOFF

LSA SENIOR

JODI ROSEN