Electric Scotland Banner

[Debra Barry]

I haven't received a reply to my last Email regarding the Electric Scotland banner on this site. Is your response somewhere on the site not obvious to me immediately as a new user?
I'll state again that the image on the banner of the woman with her legs open, breast bared is offensive to me and sends the wrong signal about Scots woman. We are moms, professional women, hard working volunteers and members of our community. The stereotype on the banner evokes images from Harlequinn romance novels and is disappointing.
I would like to see it changed to better reflect reality and I hope you will respond this time.
Debra Barry, Clan Ross Commissioner, Quebec, Canada

[Alastair]

Hello Debra... I didn't get an email from you so this is the first time I've heard from you.

The graphic came from an artist famous in his genre and thus charges thousands of dollars for his work. He kindly donated this graphic for us to use. Should you look at some of the photographs of women at the Renaissance Fair or even in the fashion industry I would say she's quite modest by comparison and it is a small graphic.

We well know we can't please everyone all of the time but we have no plans to change the graphic at this time. In actual fact I hardly notice the graphic myself as I'm coming in for the content.

That said we appreciate you taking time to let us know of your concerns. So far you are the only one to express such although that doesn't mean others don't have them but if no-one tells us then we assume all is ok.

Last time I checked the stats on our site we have female to male visitor ratio at 56:44

Alastair

[1938 Observer]

I fail to see anything offensive,It's just a pleasing image in total as a welcome banner before I delve into the content of the Forum.

But wait for it!!!!! I have just had a whisper from the voices in my head that tell me the Piper has had the audacity to go..........Commando

Gordon

[Euan]

Tell that to your local newsagent,or haven't you walked past the magazine rack?
As for Stereotype, men have been stereotyped and maligned just as much as women over the decades,but as predators, i find that offensive, but it happens so get over it!
Now if you want to find reality, look elsewhere,you will be hard pressed to find it on the internet!

[Debra Barry]

Wow. So because these images are everywhere, it's okay to post them here? And Euan and Gordon, instead of making my concern into a joke or rant, maybe you could see the person and respond seriously - even if you do not agree.

[Debra Barry]

Here are 2 other responses from our Clan Ross president and Vice President. Thank you for your response, Alistair, but I feel strongly offended and must unsubscribe.
Debra

From: donaldross@eastlink.ca
To: andyspeaks@rogers.com; debra_barry@live.ca; robross@rogers.com; jdr@ross-ter.com; patriciaross@rogers.com; lizzt@rogers.com
Subject: RE: what's up with this banner?
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:32:54 -0300


Ditto to Debra and Andy's comments . . . .no further remarks necessary.

Caroline & Donald Ross
125 Lake Shore Dr.,
West Chezzetcook, N.S.
B0J 1N0
( (902) 827-5867
Cell: (902) 497-2405





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From: Andy Thibodeau [mailto:andyspeaks@rogers.com]
Sent: October-13-10 11:09 AM
To: 'Debra Barry'; robross@rogers.com; 'JDouglas Ross'; 'Patricia Ross'; 'Donald Ross'; 'Lizz Thibodeau'
Subject: RE: what's up with this banner?


Hi Debra



Yes, I agree with you



Add my name to those who would ask kindly that Alastair reconsider a different image for his banner.



Thanks Debra



Sincerely,



Andrew Ross Thibodeau

President

Clan Ross Association of Canada

910 Dearness Drive

London, Ontario N6E 1N5

andyspeaks@rogers.com

www.greatclanross.org

Office 519-488-1795

Blackberry 519-851-3014

Clan Ross Clothing Website :

http://www.andypresentations.com/cla.../clan_gear.htm



Clan Ross Motto : Success Nourishes Hope


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From: Debra Barry [mailto:debra_barry@live.ca]
Sent: October 13, 2010 10:00 AM
To: Andrew Thibodeau; robross@rogers.com; JDouglas Ross; Patricia Ross; Donald Ross; Lizz Thibodeau
Subject: what's up with this banner?



I have written two letters to Electric Scotland, suggesting a change in the banner to better reflect the reality of Scots women today. What's wrong with this image? Her legs are open, her breast is bared, her right hand is doing what?: all in all, very offensive I think as a stereotype. We are moms, professional women, hard working volunteers in our community. Some of us are athletes like Pat, some wonderful musicians like Lizz, teachers, pilots like Wendy, and I could go on. I hope the gentlemen of Clan Ross will step up as this is not a minor offense, nor is it just offensive to women, but wounds us all.
I hope you will join me in letting Electric Scotland know that this is not acceptable.
Debra

[Alastair]

I'm afraid I think this is making a mountain out of a mole hill Debra. You can see more scantily clad women on the beach, in fashion shows, on bill boards, on television, and even in every day life as you go out to parties, etc. But as I say, everyone has the right to their point of view, and I'll certainly defend everyone's right to have their point of view. That doesn't mean I will accept their point of view and I'm afraid in this case I don't agree with yours.

Sorry to lose you but that's life.

Alastair

[Euan]

Excuse me...I wasn't making a joke of this situation,i was just telling it like it is. And i agree completely with Alistair, a mountain has been made out of a molehill. We have a saying down here in Aust...Build a bridge...

[dmf]

Alastair,

I am in complete agreement with you.


dmf

[Alastair]

And just to clarify. Her hands are resting on her skirt which is on the boulder she is sitting on and so no untoward things are happening there. But I agree you would need to see the larger version of the graphic to confirm that. I might add that the artist used his wife as a model for the graphic and I hardly think he'd put that out if it wasn't a "clean" graphic.

Alastair

Alastair