Whole Life Times: In the Eye of the Beholder

April 2005 | Letters from Readers

In the Eye of the Beholder

Indulge In Lovely Pleasures

I have so often been touched by the faces on the covers of WLT—faces with light, courage and strength. This time, I heard myself say, “Well, really!” Here’s this astoundingly beautiful, very young woman, looking for all the world like most of us never will, (un)dressed like the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated, that I wince every time I see at the 99 cent store. It surely smacks of sexism and ageism.

Then I thought maybe I should read the article to find out what it all was. And, bam! There is another girl looking fresh out of a Victoria’s Secret catalogue. Who can wear clothes like these, with no buttons, or one closure? It surely isn’t any healers or teachers, or those who work at Venice Family Clinic, or librarians or probably anyone on your staff. Breasts would be falling out all over the place.

I highly honor the designer’s use of earth-friendly materials. But where is there anything for everyday wear? I really liked the Angel T-shirt featured, but then I sigh—at this point in my life, I must forego such lovely pleasures. And I wonder how many of us can. But perhaps you have a large readership of those who shop at expensive shops.

I remember several months ago the back cover of the exquisitely beautiful Layne Redmond in her drumming trance. And Yolanda King, bright and open, having gone through overwhelming tragedy. And the countless others who have true beauty, not come-hither looks.

I’m just incredulous that you put this stuff out. I rely on WLT to connect me to the high-minded and soul healing stories of courageous people. Please don’t do this again.

—Lashoma, Santa Monica

Facing the Harsh Realities of War

Because of the title of your publication, I always associated WLT with wholesomeness, health, goodness, etc. Your articles always reflected these words, and I thought you advocated the virtues of love, peace, harmony, goodwill, creativity, unity, etc.

Well, I was sure shocked when I turned to the last page of the March ‘05 issue (“Blogs From Baghdad”) and was horribly assaulted by pictures of males with cold steely eyes aiming guns at me, showing off their tattooed muscles, cradling horrible looking weapons, looking at me like they wanted to kill me and everyone else in the world. I was repulsed. Then I read the words of these cold heartless males and my insides began to shake. The anguish continued to mount until I could take it no longer. When I came to the part about how they mercilessly slaughtered a father and his little boy sitting in a car, I cried and cried. I am so distraught, appalled and saddened that I don’t ever want to read your magazine again.

—Brenda Bradac, Costa Mesa

Campus Free Speech Debate Rages On

Thank you for your fine article on the “Killer Hipublicans” (Feb. ’05). I have sent a note of support to Professor Snider. Stay the course with your important insights.

—John Marciano, Santa Monica, Prof. Emeritus, SUNY Cortland Chair, Ithaca, NY Human Rights Commission 1991-96

I just want to put the whole Ward Churchill thing (“The Death of Liberal Education” March ’05) into perspective from my viewpoint, the same viewpoint as millions of others from just right of center. The bottom line is that vicious and poorly thought out things were said and written about innocent fellow countrymen slaughtered at the hands of some really sick creatures.

Churchill is protected by the right to free speech, but he is not protected from the ramifications of that free speech, and thus he will soon be unemployed. He is a fraud, a pathological liar and an anti-American fanatic, period. He has created a farcical image of himself and has denigrated a wonderful country while polluting thousands of young minds in the process. A man like this has the power to create domestic terrorists!!!

It is absolutely true that our universities are staffed overwhelmingly by professors who push a liberal agenda, and it’s true that there probably needs to be some balance put into place. I do not believe that there is a place for someone like Ward Churchill (if that’s his real name) in academia because he is an inciting, lying, fraud of a man... the facts speak for themselves and his conjecture and ideas are those of a sick and dangerous mind.

—Kelly Kleinman, Westlake Village

Important to Know, Important to Act

I have been increasingly dismayed by reports of genocide in the Sudan. A Sudanese government-backed militia called the janjaweed is seeking to clear the area of all non-Arabs, pillaging and burning African villages, having already killed at least 70,000 people. Horribly similar to the Rwandan genocide several years ago, this insanely brutal activity will only continue if we fail to act.

After the Rwandan genocide, the late Sen. Paul Simon said, “If every member of (the U.S.) House and Senate had received 100 letters from people back home saying we have to do something about Rwanda when the crisis was first developing, then I think the response would have been different.” Former Pres. Bill Clinton has said that his greatest regret is not having taken more action in Rwanda at that time. Genocide in Rwanda is seen in hindsight, however; the tragedy in the Sudan is unfolding right now.

We have power to help stop this. You and I can make sure that our Congressional representatives know we care and want to see action. There are in fact various things our government can do—from sanctions to freezing the assets of those Sudanese officials who support the genocide—but our government will assuredly not act unless we, the people, raise our voices.

Please go to congress.org to email your senators and congressional representatives. Tell them you want the American government to use its strongest influence to stop this tragedy. You can look on savedarfur.org or darfurgenocide.org for further information about this crisis.

This is a moment to use our democracy, to raise our voices loudly and clearly, and to extend our love to those in desperate need. Let us pray for our Sudanese brothers and sisters and do what we can to save them.

—Marianne Williamson, author and teacher

Editor’s Note For Clarification: Tim Goodrich, (featured in “The Accidental Activist” March ’05) served as an active duty soldier in the Air force from April ’99 to April ’03. He is now a member of the Individual Ready Reserves.

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