Skip to main content
Living Among City's Refugees
This author has focused on the neediness of refugees, but I think there needs to be more awareness of their strengths ["Set Adrift," WW, Sept. 14, 2016].
I know some of the people D.L. Mayfield talks about in her article. They wouldn't make it this far if they were slackers, and they have a lot to teach our entitled, privileged populace about what the world is really like outside of comfy America.
I am very happy to welcome these folks as my neighbors.
—Nancy Molina
This is not a new thing. Immigrants have been coming to America for 300-plus years. They settle in one place thinking it will fit their needs, only to find they need to move on. In almost every case, they go on to thrive and fit in.
Rather than feeling defeated, Ms. Mayfield should realize that her life is not static. She has a young family and it will need different attentions over the short and long haul. She sounds like she too is growing up and will thrive as well.
—"TC"
Ex-Officer Hired by County D.A.
There is no doubt we need to address racial injustice in this country, but this was not one of those instances ["Another Round," WW, Sept. 14, 2016]. Keaton Otis was pulled over. He grabbed a gun and shot a cop. Mental illness or not, he was a clear threat to the officers and the community.
Cody Berne was doing his job that day. He did the same thing any reasonable person would have done in that situation. Move on, people, and focus on the real issues of injustice and brutality that exist within U.S. police departments.
—"jwight"
If you still don't understand the incredible disconnect between the police and the community, particularly the African-American community, then you serve only to perpetuate the illusion that equality exists in America and the police are fair and just.
—Alan Graf
Female-Only Gallery
I am responding to the story "Portland's Newest Gallery Is Only Representing Female Artists" [wweek.com, Sept. 7, 2016], which addresses the exclusionary practices of one of Portland's newest galleries, Wolff Gallery. Co-curators Zemie Barr and Shannon O'Connor claim that, by exclusively showing works by female artists, they are correcting the imbalance in representation of male vs. female in contemporary galleries.
I recognize gender inequality is a very real issue and that creating a safe space can be empowering to those involved, but I feel the practices of Barr and O'Connor are myopic and blatantly discriminatory. And I'm curious to know how they would react to a gallery that touted representing only male artists.
As a gay man, I have dealt with discrimination my entire life. It's past time for being exclusive and time to be more inclusive.
Exclusionary business practices—no matter the justification—need to stop now.
—Dan Pillers
Letters to the editor must include the author's street address and phone number for verification. Letters must be 250 or fewer words. Submit to: 2220 NW Quimby St., Portland, OR 97210. Email: mzusman@wweek.com.
Willamette Week