9. Alternative Spaces, the NEA, and Censorship.pdf - Course ...

Dear Mr Christiansen,
The President of the International Banana Association replied to this video with the following.
In this program, a banana is used as a substitute for a human penis in a demonstration of how condoms are used.
I must tell you, Mr Christiansen, as I have told representatives of WETA, that our industry finds such a usage of our product to be
totally unacceptable. The choice of the banana rather than some inanimate prop constitutes arbitrary and reckless disregard for
the unsavory association that will be drawn by the public and the damage to our industry that will result.
The banana is an important product and deserves to be treated with respect and consideration. It is the most extensively
consumed fruit in the United States, being purchased by over 98 percent of households. It is important to the economies of
many developing Latin American nations. The banana's continued image in the minds of consumers as a healthy and nutritious
product is critically important to the industry's continued ability to be held in such high regard by the public and to discharge its
responsibilities to its Latin American hosts.
Mr Christiansen, I have no alternative but to advise you that we intend to hold PBS fully responsible for any and all damages
sustained by our industry as the result of the showing of this AIDS program depicting the banana in the associational context
planned. Further, we reserve all legal rights to protect the industry's interests from this arbitrary, unnecessary, and insensitive
action
Yours very truly,
Robert M. Moore
Thursday, 17 January 13