Sexism, Science Make Writers of Readers

Dear Ms. Klein:

I read your column on Mike Tyson today, which was the first mistake I made this morning.

Every once in a while, I will read one of your columns. I almost always regret it. Your picture at the column head seems to portray a happy person, young and vivacious, a hip and happening female with a great deal to contribute to the issues of the day. So, taken in by this visual image of intelligence and enthusiasm, I plunge into your words hoping and expecting some new insight on some of the more interesting social and community issues of our times. . . .

And, again, as this morning, I find an article about how bad men are, how really violent and sexually screwed up we are and how little we can be trusted.

Someone has evidently persuaded the Los Angeles Times that people care to read this drivel, as your column has been featured in the Orange County edition for some time. So, I guess there is little chance that you will be removed. If there were, I would be writing to the editor and asking for action. Or, at least, refusing to read you at all. Alas, there seems to be no hope of respite. Men bashing daily seems to be the menu.

I have some bad news for you. I am your audience, too. Maybe it’s OK from your point of view to have readers who despise your attitude and approach as being beyond feminist. Maybe Machiavelli really was a feminist, and it is better to be hated than loved, to stretch the quotation a tad. Maybe you don’t care what is said about you, as long as they are talking about you. I have known women like that, unfortunately. . . .

In other words, Ms. Klein, please stop being so flagrantly sexist.

Maybe doing this once in a while will blow your charter with The Times. Maybe that is my secret hope. But, as a journalist, you really need to play to all your audience. I may or may not find this refreshing and worth reading. But I will respect you more.

Sincerely,

ROBERT

Newport Beach

Dear Bob,

Please don’t be so hard on yourself. I do trust you, Bob. And, even though we don’t know each other personally, I do believe you are a man. You’ve really opened up, Bob. That’s good. Now that the energy is starting to flow, maybe you can work on any problems you might have with violence or being sexually screwed up.

Dear Dianne Klein,

Your columns are thought-provoking. About the time I wish to comment on one of your efforts, you launch another challenging article. However, I must respond to your “Teaching Kids Religiously” essay.

I taught math for 40 years in and around L.A. I knew and liked many physical education majors during that time. You can’t expect very much from a P.E. teacher who graduated from an upstate cow college. John Peloza’s “born again” claptrap will not bother science departments unduly. There will be chuckles here and there, but no thinking person will take him seriously. . . .

I’ll go quietly,

JOE McGUIGAN,

Laguna Niguel

P.S. Too bad about the Rev. Bob Schuller banging his nut on a car chassis. One disclosure was enlightening. There was a brain in his cranium. I wasn’t sure. I believe he should have cosmetic surgery. His eyes are too close together. Wider spacing would remove his ferret look.

J. McG,

Orange County’s resident

phrenologist, bon vivant

and raconteur

Dear Joe McGuigan,

Sorry I had to shorten your letter considerably. It was just chock full of interesting observations, not all of them off-color. I was particularly intrigued by your claim to be Orange County’s resident phrenologist. Perhaps you could give me some advice. Any idea how I can more closely align my cranium with my columns? I always try to be honest with my readers, but apparently my photographic image as a happy person, young and vivacious, a hip and happening female with a great deal to contribute to the issues of the day, has thrown some readers for a loop. I won’t mention names.

Dear Ms. Klein:

I was disappointed with your article in the Los Angeles Times of Oct. 17. Not disappointed with the content, but with your vivid, not to say vulgar, language. I have always felt that good writers such as yourself and Jack Smith should strive to elevate the standard of written expression rather than diminish it.

There is sufficient lack of refinement in everyday discourse without promoting it with such coarse expressions as “act as if we have balls.” There is surely a more elegant metaphor that could have been used to express the thought you were imparting.

As someone who appears, from your photograph, to be attractively feminine, it seemed that you were trying to act as “one of the boys” in using such objectionable, masculine slang.

Cordially,

NORMA McCAIG,

Dana Point

Dear Ms. McCaig:

Yes, I think you’re right. I really should get a new photograph.

Hello Dianne Klein,

Your article on 10/17 entitled “Woman With Guts Puts a Scare Into America” was excellent. Your final statements, “Nobody wanted to believe Anita Hill because she is a nightmare come true” and “. . . she acted as if she had balls,” are eloquent. Thank you for saying it as it is when so many others have 101 rationalizations in his favor and against her.

SONJA GETTEL

Orange

Hello Sonja Gettel,

And thank you. You seem to have a lot on the ball. Perhaps you might have some ideas for a new photograph?

Dianne Klein’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Readers may reach Klein by writing to her at The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626, or calling (714) 966-7406.