Mindless masses
Although I’m not surprised by the shallow, hypocritical
over-reaction of some readers to the “Mammary Monologues” cover (November 27),
it is still deeply troublesome. That many of these people ignore the countless
misrepresentations and exploitations of women in music lyrics, billboards,
television… you name it, stretches beyond narrow-mindedness.
                 To
highlight a recent example: A local radio station used voice-over samples such
as “so I pulled out of her ass and left the room” as noontime promo
material. (This, of course, made for interesting car-ride conversation with my
8-year-old daughter.)
                 As a
community, we let epidemics such as eating disorders and rape invade our
children by turning a blind eye. Yet when breasts are bared to complement an
insightful and informative article, all hell breaks loose. Pathetic.
                 Even
worse is that some say, “I was disgusted to see women’s bare
breasts,” or ask, “Who wants to read about private body parts and
women’s angst?” The only detail of Mr. Schimke’s work I found worthy of
objection was that the typical white woman was the only female form
represented.
                 I
must say, the grace and respect with which Ms. Towler responded to the
community’s insular, hyper-conservative outcry maintains the character of City and is commendable. This is the
very reason City is the well-loved,
widely read rag it is today.
                 Thank
you for not apologizing.
                 Alicia C. Ainsworth, Garson Avenue,
Rochester
Cobbs Hill ambiance
The essay about Cobbs Hill Park was exceptionally well
written (“Cobbs Hill Diaries,” November 13). Please convey my appreciation to
the author, Rich Gardner, for his perception and graceful prose.
                 Certainly
his training in the earth sciences contributed to his ability to convey the
overall ambiance of the park. It is unlikely that I will ever arrive at the
park during the early morning hours, but I vicariously enjoyed the experience. Almost makes me want to get up early and
check it out.
                 And
how I would have liked to see that raptor swooping and soaring. It’s a special
moment to experience something unique and know you may be the only one to
witness it. I trust there will be more articles by Mr. Gardner. He is an
excellent writer.
                 Kathryn Hill, High Gate Trail, Fairport
Mental-health focus
Thanks, City, for
the feature coverage of the show at High Falls, “Rejoice in Creativity,”
produced with the Mental Health Coalition of Rochester. Your extensive
reporting and the pictures published mean greater awareness for a deserving
exhibit. As a city visitor center and a State Heritage Area, High Falls can
better serve Rochester with displays combining art and social interests like
mental-heath care.
                 When
writer Chris Busby called to check the accuracy of facts in the article he’d
written, he got a surprise. In addition to being the show’s curator, I am an
exhibitor. The rule to submit work for this show was that an artist be a mental
health-care recipient. That’s me. Joyful mental health-care recipient.
                 Back
when the show was first agreed on, I was asked if I would be a judge. I said
no; I would rather be an exhibitor. I believed that witnessing my mental
health-care history by showing my work with other recipients would mean more to
me than judging the work. I’ve benefited from mental-health counseling for
years: personal counseling and family counseling most notably. The benefits of
counseling led me to participate and ignore any possible stigmatization,
reprisals, or even press reviews.
                 Recently,
in a waiting room before a counseling session, I watched a couple noticeably
shrink as a practitioner requested that they participate in a survey to
evaluate a counseling program. Their acute concern for anonymity made me wonder
what stigma they might face: their own? Family? Friends? Job? Would more people
seek care if it were more openly accepted? Would care programs be more
available if care were more openly accepted?
                 City’s article singled me out of the
group of art exhibitors as if a line were needed between me and those
“afflicted” with other mental-health needs and issues. That might not be the
most enlightened approach. I chose to stand with my fellow exhibitors asking
that you acknowledge the range of our group’s care experience.
                 Regarding
comments on any fundraising aspect of this show, may I point out that the
exhibit was never intended to be a fundraiser, and that none of the parties
involved thought that. It was intended to be an art exhibit, pure and simple.
High Falls art exhibits are fully accessible, free, and open to the public. The
sale of artwork benefits the artists themselves.
                 Thanks
again for the ample coverage.
                 Sally Wood Winslow, artist exhibitor
and High Falls education program and fine art director
The imperialists
The state of the United States is this: As of September 11,
2001, the US Constitution is no longer in force. Government is now by imperial
will.
                 The
object of the regime in Washington is the establishment of an extreme
right-wing conservative — that is, fascist — dictatorship. The overwhelming
necessity in a dictatorship is total control of the population, which
constitutes its greatest potential enemy. Thus the USA Patriot Act, with its
provisions for surveillance of the people by monitoring all the electronic activities
of the entire population.
                 The
goal of the regime is tyranny at home and total world domination abroad. The
greatest enemy of the people who live in this country is the Bush regime.
People must wake up to the fact that George Bush is a sniper, and we are all
his targets.
                 Earl W. Blizzard III, Limerick
Road, Linwood, New York
This article appears in Jan 1-7, 2003.
