PALE BODIES, THIN SKIN
After reading the letter sent by Robyn Gregory in last week's WW, in which she feels insulted the writer described the crowd of naked bodies as "pale," I was mildly amused by the description she referred to, and more exasperated at the complaint itself.
In this "white man's world," it seems we even have to make sure that, when criticizing, we're using broad enough strokes to insult every minority possible, lest one feel victimized by not being victimized. I see no racism here: No one's keeping Robyn or the black community from enjoying the human experience, and no one's saying blacks don't possibly have disgustingly wan skin from being inside all day.
Instead of bemoaning the phrase "pale bodies" if your body is another color, why not fight racism by cultivating a sense of humor and showing the world, including us of other minorities, that the race card isn't on the top of your deck.
Erik Olson
Southeast Portland
STAND AND DELIVER
The candidate endorsement process for Stand for Children [Winners & Losers, WW, March 28, 2007] is both rigorous and thoughtful. In the case of incumbent Portland School Board candidate Doug Morgan and his challenger Ruth Adkins, our team chose a "Dual Endorsement." Both candidates have worked tirelessly and effectively to support public education locally and statewide, and both are clearly qualified and capable of working successfully with the current School Board and District Administration. So while the Stand Team was unable to endorse a single candidate by consensus, we were able to conclude that, for the previously stated reasons, both candidates are qualified to fill the position.
Stand for Children is a grassroots, nonprofit advocacy group that is committed to winning concrete, long-lasting improvements for children at state and local levels through organized and effective grassroots political action. We have a very successful track record of endorsing some of Oregon's most effective political leaders that are strong advocates for children. And we are confident that our work here will contribute to that record.
Mike Rosen
Portland Chapter Chair, Stand for Children
Southeast 20th Avenue
CORRECTIONS
In last week's "Minor Leagues, Major Superstition," WW botched its film history when it screwed up the reference to a film with a voodoo slugger. The correct movie is Major League.
Also, in last week's Winners & Losers, we erred in the limit that Gov. Ted Kulongoski and first lady Mary Oberst will face next week in their food spending. The correct amount is $42.
WW regrets both errors.
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I'd like to address some issues I have with your columnist Byron Beck who has a section on gay activities and topics of supposed interest and events in and around Portland.
Although I believe that Mr. Beck is a writer of some talent, I have grown so weeeeeeary of his focus on the sexual escapades of the male gay community that I could just scream. Unless, Mr. Beck performs this tiring, nebulous and redudant sexual focus at the direction of the owners/staff of Willamette week, and it is done to tickle the fancies of a certain section of the population - I don't get it.
Over the course of 3 years, I find the majority of his columns meaningless in relationship to the goodness and importance of the gay community in Portland.
Last night I attended a volunteer appreciation night at Our House, an amazing, loving and successful residential space dedicated to getting those with full blown AIDS back into productive lives. The house was filled with gay men and women who donate hundreds and hundreds of hours of their personal time to helping out their community and those that are straight.
I write with gay and lesbian authors who have made significant contributions to the literary scene here and across the nation.
My housemate works tirelessly and with his money in support of HRC and legislation that has/will have significant impact on the gay and straight community.
Another friend, an artist of exquisite and quirky talent, contributes his works to various charities for auctions that raise money to benefit children, straight folks and gays.
Another man I know, simply lives out of his life as if being gay were the most normal thing in the world. He volunteers, has completed two degress, has friends all across the board, is headed for medical school where he anticipates giving back something to the world.
I'd simply like to suggest that when all is said and done the gay community in this town makes contributions so much more impacting than their bare asses, their enjoyment of strip clubs, their entertainment talent - that the gay community adds to this town in such incredible artistic, community and human endeavor oriented ways - that I'd love to read about these kinds of things in Mr. Beck's column.
Certainly Mr. Beck can add to the fantasy life of a portion of the population periodically. However, the true meaning of the worth and significance of the gay community in Portland is too often lost in his surface reviews of their activities, events and contributions.
I find his columns both charicature and stereotype of the gay community. They are so much more, add so much more, bring so much to the table in terms of their gifts and hearts - isn't this what is important? Isn't that what the world should be reading about? I, for one, believe so.
Sincerely.
Skye Leslie