Like Steaks
[Responding to Manliness is Not a Virtue by Shin-En Wong from Issue 6.5.]
To the Editors,
Just what exactly is “white heterosexual masculinity”? You speak as though you could neatly construct these abstract categories in the air and pack everything neatly into them. How very interesting. But the world isn’t as simple as that. I dare say that every individual has her or his own idea of what constitutes manliness. Yes, we are not the kind of rational actors “white conservatives” love to think of themselves as, and yes, we are influenced by the society, but the ensemble of social relations reflected in each of our personalities has got to be a unique combination.
On the other hand, it is entirely probable that the common denominator across the entire American male population with respect to this question is much broader than you think. You are implicitly implying [Ed. Note: “implicitly implying?” Wow.] that Blacks and Asians necessarily have, altogether, different standards of masculinity, and I’m telling you that this assertion is simply unfounded. I don’t know how much “Asian” language you read, but if you read some of the classical Chinese or other East Asian chivalry novels you see exactly the kind of characters men like John Wayne play.
In the meantime, I’m Chinese (quit using catch-terms like “Asians”, please) and I like steaks.
James Chang
Appreciating
the Woman Costume
[Responding to Empowering or Degrading? by Valerie M. Arvidson from Issue 6.6]
To the Editors,
I think this article clearly defines the modern-day woman’s uniform. My career involves face-to-face contact with customers and my employer at the time of my hiring informed me of the female uniform and there was no deviating from it. I had to look my very best all the time while interfacing to the customers. Over the years I’ve become very desensitized to my corporate uniform which requires a knee-length skirt or long dressy slacks and matching jacket, pantyhose and high-heels (pumps) with at least a 2 1/2 inch heel. I’ve gotten so used to pulling hose on five days a week and clomping around in heels all day that it became second nature to me. The job pays well so I put up with the dress-code but after reading this article I’m reminded of the thought I had when first interviewing for this job: I’m required to wear what!? After all, do I really have to wear a skirt, hose and heels to look good and perform well at my job? Couldn’t I wear flat shoes? But I understand that the female and male customers who come in will notice what I’m wearing, they will notice my hair, make-up, my nails and even my teeth and it does matter. I’m representing a company with my appearance and professionalism and part of that equation is the way I look. Since having this job, I’ve had my teeth professionally whitened and I wear acrylic nails to round out my appearance. People notice and I receive compliments all the time. But in the back of my mind I have to remind myself that part of the reason I do this is for me. I like to look pretty and I don’t think I would ever stop with this look.
Cindy
A Weighty Conflict
[Responding to Coke Abusers by Anne P. Bellows from Issue 6.9]
To the Editors,
I just saw the video ‘The High Cost of Low Prices’ perpetuated by Mallwart…er, Wallmart [sic], and it simply demonstrates how multinational corporations are trying to rule the world.
What is it that causes this? Is it too much testosterone that drives humans to ruthlessness, outrageous behavior, self-serving mentality? Or is it that humans have been endowed with too much brain stem and not enough cerebellum to weigh self-serving against community concern?
The outcome of this conflict weighs heavily on the future of humanity.
Richard Conn
