Letters to the Editor
stackey-dackey
Published Letters: 288 Editor's Choice: 8
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Maybe they weren't whining...
[Read the article: This Modern World]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Maybe they actually, I don't know, needed help?
It stands to reason that poor people, of any race, would sufffer more during a national disaster because they don't have the resources to bounce back.
The fact is that Republicans framed the Katrina story as those dirty black folks with a sense entitlement who don't take responsibility for themselves. They shouldn't have lived there in the first place anyway, everyone knew the levies would break some day.
Whereas the white mid-westerners are good, god fearing folk who just happened to get the short end of stick. Doesn't matter that they too knew that they were due for a flood of epic proportions. (500-year flood plan which means that in a given year, there is a 1 in 500 chance that a flood will occur.)
Doesn't matter that they too are taking government assistance and that some of them may actually be demanding it; it goes against the national story. Black people are leeches sucking at the teat of white folks. Everybody knows that.
The fact is that when those folks in the Midwest realize their insurance won't cover shit because the insurance companies will do everything in their power not to have to pay, they will seriously start whining. Of course, because they are white, they are incapabale of whining. They call it lobbying.
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Bill Clinton should NOT campaign for Obama
[Read the article: Bill Clinton says he'll help Obama]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Why? Because he wasn't a canidate in this election. Because I wouldn't expect, if the tables were turned, that Michelle Obama would go out and campaign for Clinton.
I know he's a former president, but the fact is that he was also a potential (and still potential, who know what the future might bring) First Gentleman. He showed throughout the election a loyalty to his wife which, even though I decried some of his comements, I could respect. His wife might have to swallow her pride and show that she's not a sore loser but I think he should be able to be bitter all he wants and not have to publicly eat humble pie with Obama at some campaign rally. Like any wife of a failed canidate should be able to do.
He should work at his foundation and look pretty. And recuperate from his heart surgery as AKA Smith said. And make vague assertions that he is behind Obama. And show up at the Convention on his wife's arm.
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@Carol Anne @peteterpete
[Read the article: How gay it would be]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Do you people who keep saying, you wouldn't say this about any other oppressed minority, realize how childish you sound? If you find this article awful, why would you wish the same sort of offense on any one else? There's always the feeling underneath that you are blaiming the other minorities for not getting the stereotypical treatment. (As if that doesn't happen.) Would it be okay if Salon published an article about a white parent who wishes their son was black and had all of those stereotypical trappings? Then would that make your pain go away.
Next thing you know, you'll be saying Al Sharpton should be leading a march on the Salon headquarters to protest this article and why doesn't he do that he must hate the gays and only cares about black people and is therefore a homophobe? I read that sort of reasoning alot whenever white males start complaining about how mainstream culture is racist against them and blacks, hispanics, women and any colored person, who don't own or run any major television station, are to blame.
But maybe thats not what either of you meant. Maybe all you meant to say is that stereotyping sucks and Salon should be as mindful as they are with any other group, not to publish articles which re-enforce hateful stereotypes.
So please say that. You don't need to bring in other "oppressed minorities" and our perceived special treatment by the powers that be to make your point.
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Oh Limozeen,
[Read the article: Bully for Nancy Pelosi!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Please don't say the word whining. It infantilizes AKA Smiths and other womens' concerns and it does have a hint of sexism.
It doesn't foster a respectful dialogue.
They aren't whining. They are women whose concerns regarding sexism should be addressed until they are ready to stop addressing them. It's bad enough that they are dismissed by some men out there, but now they are getting dismissed by fellow women as whiners. The truth is, the more you tell people to shut up, the more they feel oppressed and the more they feel the need to speak out. I've seen black people's concerns similarly dismissed by the status quo as whining, and I think its wrong and demeaning. Even if we might be misguided, we still have a right to voice our opinion and not be disrespected.
I've pretty much come to the conclusion that maybe Ferraro should do her study on how sexism affected the campaign. Well not Ferraro, but the Democratic leadership should commission it and publish the findings. I know it won't be good enough for the AKA Smiths (they should have said something earlier!) but maybe it will go a long way to helping to heal the breach.